Diggle News has now become part of inSaddleworth
We’ve still got all the same Diggle News stories, all the great photos, but now also have all the extra features of inSaddleworth like Notices, News, Business Directory, Events and Galleries
Commuters warned of strike-day disruption
Commuters are being warned to plan ahead and expect disruption on Monday (13 March) as staff on Northern rail services hold a one-day strike.
Most Northern services are not expected to run and any that do operate, working to a revised timetable, will be extremely busy.
All public transport and Greater Manchester’s roads are expected to be busier, especially at peak morning and evening times, with key commuter routes forecast to face the most pressure as people affected by the strike make alternative arrangements.
Transport for Greater Manchester, which is helping to co-ordinate the region’s response, is urging people to plan ahead and consider carefully their travel arrangements.
It is working to support Northern’s own customer communications effort and has created a special travel information page on its website to help keep Greater Manchester commuters on the move: tfgm.com/industrial-action.
TfGM’s Events and Operational Coordination Manager, John Fryer, said: “We are taking action to minimise the disruption to the transport network but we know there will still be problems.
“Commuters can play their part to minimise these and our advice is simple: plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices.
“Can you travel at a different time or does your employer allow you to work from home? If you can travel at a quieter time, or in a different way – by bus, tram, bike, foot or a mixture – it can make a massive improvement not just to your journey but to people who simply don’t have a choice.
“Make a difference: make a choice,” he said.
As well as working with other transport authorities across the North, TfGM has taken action locally to help people who have to travel on the day of the strike.
As well as creating the travel information page, other TfGM actions include:
· Adding more capacity to the Metrolink network where it can – an extra 1,600 seats per hour in the peak – on the Eccles-Ashton and East Didsbury-Rochdale lines
· Additional staff on Metrolink and at key bus stations to help commuters
· Working with bus and other train operators to maximise capacity across the network, particularly on the busiest commuter corridors
· Enhanced monitoring at its network control centre so traffic flows can be optimised by altering signal timing
· Working with local highway authorities to temporarily suspend roadworks where possible on the region’s main commuter routes
John added: “Our control room will open earlier and work later on the day of the strike and we’ll have additional customer service support on the phones and online to help people who have to travel, but our strongest advice is: expect disruption and plan ahead now.”
For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.
Spotted one of these?
RSPB want to know if you’ve seen a hen harrier in the Peak District
Hen harrier Circus cyaneus, adult female in flight, hunting, Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve, Islay, June 2002
As spring approaches, the RSPB is calling on eagled-eyed wildlife fans who enjoy walking in the Peak District to keep a look out for hen harriers, one of England’s rarest birds of prey.
The nature conservation charity has relaunched its Hen Harrier Hotline in the hope of finding out where these birds might be breeding.
At this time of year, the male hen harrier performs his courtship display known as skydancing, involving a spectacular series of swoops and somersaults. If he is fortunate enough to attract a female, he then proves his worth as a mate by passing her food offerings in mid-air.
Scientists estimate there is sufficient habitat in England to provide a home to around 300 pairs of breeding hen harriers. But last year there were only three successful nests in the whole country.
Hen harriers are in trouble largely because of ongoing illegal persecution. This is because they sometimes eat red grouse, which can make them unwelcome on moors managed for driven grouse shooting. This type of shooting requires huge numbers of red grouse and some game managers feel they need to illegally kill or disturb harriers to protect their business.
Amanda Miller, Conservation Manager for the RSPB in Northern England, said: “The past few breeding seasons have been disastrous for England’s hen harriers and sadly there appears to be no let up in the illegal killing and disturbance of these magnificent birds.
“If we can find out where these birds are breeding, we can deploy specialist staff to protect the nests, thereby giving
Hen harrier Circus cyaneus, adult male perched in flight with twig, Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve, Islay, Scotland. June
them the best chance of success. We can also fit them with satellite tags enabling us to track their movements once they have fledged.”
Male hen harriers are an ash-grey colour with black wing tips and a wingspan of just less than a metre. They are sometimes known as ghostbirds because of the pale colour of their plumage.
Female hen harriers are slightly larger, are owl-like in appearance, and have a mottled brown plumage, which camouflages them when they nest on the ground. They have horizontal stripes on their tails, giving them the nickname ringtail and a patch of white just above, on the rump.
The Harrier Hotline number is 0845 4600121 (calls charged at local rate). Reports can also be e-mailed to henharriers@rspb.org.uk. Reports of sightings should include the date and location of sighting, with a six-figure grid reference where possible. A description of the bird’s behaviour would also be useful.
The Hotline feeds into RSPB’s Hen Harrier LIFE+ Project, a five year programme of hen harrier conservation in England and Scotland. For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk/henharrierlife.
Diggle Blues Festival Line-Up 2017
Thursday 15th June
7:30pm – 8:30pm The Gate Howlin’ Mat
9pm – 11pm Diggle Band Club Melvin Hancox Band
Friday 16th June
7pm – 8:30pm The Gate Beetroot Jam
9pm – 11pm Band Club Mighty Revelators
Saturday 17th June
3pm – 4:15pm Grandpa Greens Mississippi Malc
4:45pm – 6pm Woolyknits Mike Whellans
6:30pm – 8:30pm Kilngreen Ramshackle
9pm – 11pm Band Club Idol Frets
Sunday 18th June
1:30pm – 3pm Sub-Pressure Studios Kent Duchaine
3:30pm – 5:30pm Band Club Franny Eubank Band
6pm – 8pm Kilngreen Band of Gypsies
Parish Council host Community Day
Saddleworth Parish Council are holding a Community Day at Uppermill Civic Hall on Sunday April 2nd.
Cllr Jamie Curley said, “The day will be packed with local groups and associations as well as organisations from across Oldham Borough including representatives from the Saddleworth and Lees District office, MAHDLO and Action together who will be on hand to offer advice, workshops and training. We will also be welcoming The Real Junk Food Project who will be serving up a real treat!
“The day is an opportunity for community groups and associations to showcase their activities, attract new members/volunteers, fundraise and network with other groups.
“It’s about informing the wider Saddleworth community about what is available and what’s going on in Saddleworth. It’s also a chance for people to get involved or join a group that appeals to them.
“It’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting day.”
For more information contact Jane Soriente/Christine Wilson on 0161 770 6804/8416 or jane.soriente@oldham.gov.uk
Diggle Duck Race: 17th April
The ducks are already in training for this year’s Easter race. https://www.facebook.com/events/263040387466933/?ti=icl
Appeal for family of Victoria Cross war hero to come forward
Sergeant Thomas Steele
Oldham Council is appealing for the family of a Victoria Cross recipient from the First World War to come forward as it prepares to honour his outstanding acts of bravery.
Sergeant Thomas Steele was honoured for his role in attempting to lift the Turkish siege at Ku-al-Amara in the Middle East in 1917. At a critical moment, Sgt Steele used a machine gun to beat off an enemy attack and risked his life to rally a party of Indian soldiers who had lost all their officers. He was also severely injured and suffered 12 wounds in further conflict.
In honour of his outstanding bravery, and to commemorate 100 years since the events, Oldham Council is holding a ceremony at 11am, February 22, at St Annes Church, Lydgate. At the ceremony a commemorative paving stone will be unveiled in honour of Sergeant Steele by Councillor Derek Heffernan, the Mayor of Oldham.
The council wants to get in touch with Sgt Steele’s family so they can take part in the ceremony and share their stories. Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, said: “Sergeant Thomas Steele was born in Oldham and we are proud to remember him. We have an obligation to preserve his memory and bravery for generations to come – something we hope the paving stone will do. We would like to collect stories and images of Thomas Steele so if you have any, or you are a relative, or friend, of the Steele family, please get in touch.”
The commemoration is part of the on-going national campaign to lay lasting reminders in the birth places of Members of Sgt Steele’s family, dignitaries and representatives of local community groups and schools will be in attendance.
If you’re relative – or just a friend – of Thomas Steele please come forward and contact mayors.office@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 4012. We’re looking to collect stories and images to display on an online gallery at www.oldhamremembers.org.uk in his honour.
Only 1,356 of the Victoria Cross medals — the highest honour bestowed on members of the UK armed forces — have ever been awarded. Two other borough residents received the Victoria Cross for their heroic deeds in World War One. Sergeant Hogan was in battlefield in Festubert, 
France on October 29, 1914, when his trench had been taken by the Germans. After attempts at recapturing it failed Sgt Hogan and fellow soldiers took actions into their own hands and re-claimed it. Private Walter Mills was caught in a gas attack on the Western Front on December 10, 1917. He stayed at his post alone and threw bombs until the enemy retreated. He died of gas poisoning as he was carried away.
A service will take place on Monday 11 December to honour Oldham’s third, and final, Victoria Cross recipient, Private Walter Mills.
To get involved in Oldham’s commemorations, mark 100 years since the start of World War One, read stories about local people and their experience in the war or research stories, visit www.oldhamremembers.org.uk
For more information email oldhamremembers@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 3297.
Painter Diana Terry Explores the Saddleworth Edges
Saddleworth Edges
4 March-2 April 2017
12:00-4;00
Uppermill Museum and Art Gallery
OL3 6HS www.diterry.com
One of the many things that I love about living in Saddleworth is the way that the built environment ends in a clear defined manner. Although it is on the edge of a conurbation, the boundaries of the National Park prevents the spread of further building. These hills are apparent in all of the villages and form a natural backdrop to our lives. Some local places even have edge as part of their name, describing the places where the millstone grit breaks through the peaty moor. I have used, amongst others Millstone Edge, Harrop Edge and Edge End as starting points for my work.
It is a different world up in the hills away from the high street. Included in this exhibition are sketches made in summer 2016 of the places showing the combination of rural and industrial areas of Saddleworth. They can only be found by exploring as they are literally on the edges of our community.
Diana Terry M.A.
A Big Big exhibition at Gallery Oldham
Taking the camera out on the road.
The extraordinary Big Big Camera has been in the collections of Gallery Oldham for many years. Over the last two years artist and photographer Ian Beesley has been working to reuse this industrial relic and photograph the Oldham area in a whole new way. This new exhibition charts his journey and includes some suitably ‘big big’ images.
The camera was originally housed at Rome Mill in Springhead, where it was used by a company manufacturing wallpaper. Rome Mill was built as a cotton spinning mill but was converted to become a wallpaper factory by Lees Paper Staining Co in the early 1930s. It was at this point that the process camera manufactured by the London firm of Hunter Penrose was first installed. The mill continued to produce wallpaper until 1990 and when it was closed Gallery Oldham acquired the process camera for the collections.
Large cameras like this were made specifically for the printing industry and once installed were probably never moved again. Ian Beesley has worked with Gallery Oldham to get it working again, including specialist restoration of the lens as well as cleaning. Most importantly Ian had to meet the challenge of using a camera that was designed for huge negatives 24 inches square. His solution was to create a grid which could take a series of smaller negatives resulting in images made up of 20 separate prints.
Thanks to funding from Arts Council England the gallery was able to take the camera out on the road. A transit van is needed to transport a camera this size and with a little modification the van can also double as a darkroom enabling the slides to be reloaded out in the field. It is a laborious process and a maximum of three photographs can be taken in a day.
Photographer Ian Beesley has used the camera to take images across the borough as well as a series of portraits and still lifes. Poet Ian MacMillan has also worked on the
Hartford mill taken with the Big Big Camera
project to produce a series of poems in response to the photographs. Both the images and poems will be on display in this new exhibition.
Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “This is a fascinating project to reuse a historic piece of industrial equipment in a new way. These large scale photographs will make you think again about the whole process of taking a picture.”
Ian Beesley said: “This exhibition explores some of the aspects of photography that are now being lost in the digital age. From the sheer physicality of the equipment, to the delicate relationship with light and the uncertainty of success, this is photography in its purest but most demanding form.”
The exhibition opens on January 21 until April 22. Visitors can also join Ian Beesley for a demonstration of the camera on 15 February at 2pm.
Have you claimed the ‘Flood Resilience Grant’?
Fighting the flooding in Uppermill, Boxing Day 2015 (Photo: ©StuartColeman)
Courtesy of Christine Wilson
Saddleworth and Lees District Team
Please spread the word, see below or click on the link: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200578/emergencies/1574/flood_resilience_grant
Government grants of up to £5,000 are available for homeowners and businesses that have been flooded as a result of Storm Desmond and Storm Eva to help fund additional flood resilience or resistance measures for their properties.
The resilience grant presents a great opportunity for those who have been flooded to better prepare their homes for future flood events, both to prevent flood water from entering the property and to speed the recovery if it does.
Apply
Grants are intended only to fund measures which improve the property’s resilience or resistance to flooding, over and above repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.
Flood Resilience Grant Application Form
Property Resilience Grant Scheme Participation Agreement Form
Applications must be submitted by 31st December 2016 with all expenditure by 30th June 2017.
To apply please complete the “Flood Resilience Grant Application Form” and return it via post email:
Email
mark.stenson@oldham.gov.uk
Post
The Head of Corporate Governance,
Financial Services,
Floor 14,
Civic Centre,
West Street,
Oldham.
OL1 1UG.
Applications should be submitted and approved in advance of any work being carried out. If applications are submitted after work has been started there is a risk to the homeowner/business that they may not be eligible for the grant.
Related stories:
EA Object to new Saddleworth School Planning Application
Debbie Abrahams will not oppose moving Saddleworth School to Diggle
The fight will continue say Saddleworth residents
What’s the future for Saddleworth School?
Residents asked to submit questions for a public meeting: “The Future of Saddleworth School…”
New Gritter Named Nicole Saltslinger
After an avalanche of interest and suggestions Oldham Council can reveal the name of our new gritter is Nicole Saltslinger. Named after the former Pussycat Doll and X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger the now famous yellow gritter has become the most famous vehicle in the country over the last few weeks.
Recently we asked primary school children from across the borough to ‘prove their salt’ and come up with a fitting name for the new addition to our fleet. After a ‘snow’ start the number of entries snowballed by the day and we eventually ended up with hundreds to choose from, including Gritney Houston, Spready Eddie and even Andy Gritchie, after the former Oldham Athletic favourite. The competition also really caught the imagination of the ‘gritterarati’ and it received wide spread national coverage in newspapers, websites, TV and radio.
The winning entry was sent in by Eve McGrath, who attends Royton Hall Primary School. We ploughed through hundreds of entries and Eve was the only youngster who came up with the unique and fun name. The 10-year-old decided on Nicole Saltslinger as she is a fan of the Saturday night entertainment show. Eve made the trip down to our depot at Moorhey Street for a special naming ceremony.
Nicole will now join Freddie Salted; Grittersaurus; Goliath; Walter the Salter; Gritterbug; Gritney Spears; Gritanator and Thor, helping to keep the borough’s roads moving safely when the snow and ice appear.
Councillor Fida Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment Services, said: “Firstly we’d like to thank Eve for coming up with such a great name. We’re delighted with how well the competition took off. It captured the imagination of Oldham residents and the whole nation. It was intended as a bit of fun and we even treated the silly suggestions with a pinch of salt.
‘We ran a similar competition a few years ago which was also really well received but this time I think we’ve taken it up a notch.
On a single tweet more than 70,000 people engaged with us in one way or another and some of the suggestions we had were fantastic.
“In Oldham we’re usually hit quite hard when the snow begins to fall and we have an excellent team who work tirelessly to keep the roads clear and the borough moving. Our gritters obviously play a vital role in that and so it’s nice that we can have a bit of fun by running competitions like this whilst teaching young people about road safety.”
To keep residents fully informed of any developments the Oldham Council website – http://www.oldham.gov.uk/winter – will be updated continually and feature the latest news on school closures, gritting routes, locations of grit bins and grit sales.
Our First Response service will use its Twitter account @oldhamalert to inform followers of school and road closures or incidents.
These will also be retweeted for residents using the Council¹s account @oldhamcouncil and updates will appear via the local media.
Stage is set for the new Coliseum Theatre
Oldham is to build a new Coliseum Theatre in its budding Cultural Quarter after the plans were awarded a multi-million pound funding injection.
A successful Round 2 joint funding bid by Oldham Council and Oldham Coliseum Theatre has seen Arts Council England approve a grant worth £7.1m towards the project.
Alongside a future fundraising contribution agreed with Oldham Coliseum Theatre, this now triggers the green light for it to move from its Fairbottom Street home to a new state-of-the-art facility including a 550-seat main auditorium and a 170-seat studio theatre with improved front-of-house facilities.
The new-build project will be a central part of Oldham’s Cultural Quarter and will be located on the current Southgate Street car park site, with a frontage on Union Street.
This will connect the Coliseum Theatre with the other cultural jewels of a new Heritage and Arts Centre linked with Gallery Oldham, Library and Lifelong Learning centre.
All are sited at a prominent town centre gateway and just yards from the Oldham Central Metrolink stop.
The new theatre will be adjacent to the Grade-II listed Victorian library building, which is to house the Heritage and Arts Centre, showcasing the story of Oldham’s past from its time as the cotton spinning capital of the world to the present day.
The plans are part of an approach approved in September 2015 which commits Oldham Council and its partners to a phased delivery over ten years of a four-stage Cultural Regeneration Programme*.
Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader, said: “We’re delighted to be able to now get on with our plans to deliver a new Oldham Coliseum Theatre.”
“The support and shared vision of Arts Council England has been vital in this and we’re extremely grateful for this significant financial contribution which will help us to realise our ambitions for a fantastic Cultural Quarter.
“Arts, culture and heritage matter. They can inspire education across all ages and communities, boost the local economy, and attract tourism
“Oldham Coliseum Theatre is a hugely-respected institution in the borough, and beyond. It’s a major cultural asset that also delivers lots of important educational work. This relocation will widen its profile and ensure it has a bright future as part of our wider regeneration plans.
“You can see with developments like the Old Town Hall and others that we are working to transform our town centre into one that gives our residents greater pride in better facilities and preserved heritage – and will also attract a new type of visitor with a great arts, culture and leisure offer.”
Kevin Shaw, Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive, said: “We are immensely proud to be taking our place in Oldham’s Cultural Quarter alongside the new Heritage and Arts Centre, as well as Gallery Oldham and Oldham Library.”
“We are indebted to the vision of Oldham Council that places a real value on arts and culture for the borough, and for the support of Arts Council England in investing in that vision.
“The current board, staff, volunteers and audiences are all custodians of a proud tradition of theatre in the town, which in the Coliseum’s case dates back to 1885. This is the second time in our history when we’ve moved location. Initially we were on Henshaw Street and then moved to Fairbottom Street in 1887 to make way for Tommyfield Market. It’s our responsibility to make a theatre that’s right for future generations, meaning in the years to come that theatre in Oldham continues to thrive, grow and develop.
“We are rightfully famous for the warmth of our welcome, and we will take that warmth with us, so future residents of Oldham will feel this is a theatre for absolutely everyone.”
Alison Clark, Director North, Arts Council England said: “We are delighted to have made such a major investment in the future of cultural life in Oldham.
“Our capital programme is intended to ensure that artistic activity is embedded in the heart of infrastructural development and this is an great example of how a regeneration programme can demonstrate that the arts are critical to the growth of healthy communities.”
The Coliseum scheme got initial planning permission in March 2015.
Mecanoo, the project architects, are committed to prioritising the local supply chain throughout this project.
In support of Oldham Council’s ‘Get Oldham Working’ campaign, they are developing an employment and skills strategy to focus on young people within the borough, improving links with local education providers and exploring the opportunity to create apprenticeships.
Mecanoo are currently producing new designs in order to submit a new planning application by March 2017.
Construction work is anticipated to start in April 2018 with the venue set to open in 2020.
Diggle’s Christmas Lights Switch-On: 4th December
Event: The Diggle Christmas lights switch-on
Location: Diggle Band Club on 4th December 2016 at 2:30pm
2:30pm Mulled wine and minced pies
2:45pm Diggle School Choir and Diggle Band perform a selection of Christmas carols
3:30pm Procession to the Christmas tree site lead by Diggle Band
3:45pm Short service and community carol singing led by the Rev. Duncan Rhodes
4:00pm Tree lighting ceremony performed by the winners of the Diggle Primary School Christmas competition
4:10pm Procession back to Diggle Band Club
A road closure will be in place on Huddersfield Road, Diggle from 3:20pm and 4:30pm between Sunfield Lane and Spurn Lane. Notices will be posted.
On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of December the Gate Inn are holding a Christmas market from 12-5 pm
For more information email: dcachairman@gmail.com or Hello@thegateinn.co.uk
Grafitti Vandals ruin the work of volunteers in Diggle
On step forward two steps back as Diggle Community Association and Canal Trust volunteers are forced to look at re-painting the storage container located at the Diggle end of the Standedge Canal Tunnel after Grafitti vandals left their mark over the weekend.
In addition to the container, the bus shelter on Station Rd., was also targeted.
Anyone with information should contact GMP on 101
Marks and Spencer will not be coming to Oldham Mumps
Marks & Spencer has announced it will not be taking up its option on new retail space at the Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps development. Oldham Council was contacted today (November 22) by the retailer and informed of the decision.
M&S recently confirmed plans to close 30 UK clothing and homeware shops and convert dozens more into food stores as part of a business restructuring. It came after the firm had reported falling sales and profits in the six months to the end of September.
M&S and Oldham Council had announced the plans for Prince’s Gate in November 2014 as part of a mixed-use scheme that includes retail and residential opportunities.
Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader, said: “We are, naturally, disappointed by this decision.”
“It’s well-known that Marks & Spencer has been experiencing difficulties in a very competitive market and they recently announced store closures as part of a business restructuring. When they first informed us of this decision today, Marks & Spencer were clear that although this means they will not be taking retail space at the Prince’s Gate site, this does not mean that they’re necessarily closing the door on coming to Oldham.
“I want to reassure people that we are continuing to have discussions with them about this and we are hopeful of a positive future outcome. The global economic and trade factors affecting M&S at this time are completely outside of our control – and our ambitions for Oldham remain undaunted.
“Rest assured that we will leave no stone unturned to deliver a positive outcome at the Prince’s Gate site which complements our wider regeneration programme in the town centre.
“Despite this news, Oldham town centre is firmly on the up and the stunning Old Town Hall cinema and restaurant complex which opened last month is already bringing increased footfall, trade, investment and visitors here. We are in positive discussions with several partners to capitalise further on that success.
Have your say on public transport
Diggle
Saddleworth residents are reminded to have their say on public transport
Transport leaders are reminding people in Saddleworth to give their views on how public transport in the area could be improved.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) launched a public transport survey on 24 October and residents have until 30 November 2016 to complete it.
The results of the survey will support the development of potential interventions to make the transport network better suited to the needs of Saddleworth residents.
The survey is funded by the Department for Transport’s Total Transport Pilot Fund to deliver joined up and efficient transport links specifically in rural areas.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “We want to find out where Saddleworth residents travel to and how, and what people think about public transport. The closing date for the survey is now approaching and we’re reminding everyone who is yet to fill in the survey to do so by 30 November.
“All comments received will help to inform recommendations for improving transport in Saddleworth, so we can start to target interventions that will better connect people with work, education, shops, leisure, health and local services, as well as friends and family.”
The survey is available now to complete online at www.tfgm.com/saddleworth. Hard copies have been distributed to Saddleworth residents and are also available for collection at Uppermill Library, Saddleworth libraries, doctors surgeries, Uppermill Civic Hall and Saddleworth Medical Centre.
If you would like more information on the Total Transport scheme, please email: saddleworthtransport@tfgm.com
Saddleworth Remembers
Art Exhibition: Saddleworth in Summer
On Location
‘Saddleworth in Summer’ is a select exhibition of unique landscapes painted on location (en plein air) by a group of Saddleworth based artists over the last three years.
The exhibition will be open for viewing during the run of the play at the Millgate Arts Centre, Delph from Sunday 27th November (preview 2:00pm – 4:30pm) until Saturday 3rd December, between the hours of 7.00pm and 10.30pm.
Landscape: Anne Parkin
Landscape: Stephen Stringer
Saddleworth and Lees Festive Christmas Lights Switch on Events – 2016
Greenfield
Intersection of bridleway with Chew Valley Road.
Friday 2 December 7.00pm
Springhead
Junction of Ashbrook Rd & Oldham Rd
Friday 2 December 6.00pm
Uppermill
Uppermill Museum & Uppermill
The Square
Saturday 3 December 3.30pm-4.30pm
Lees
Mellor Street Lees
Across from Legends Pub,
Junction of St Johns Street & High St
Saturday 3 December 4.30pm
Delph
The Swan Pub, King Street & Millgate Car Park.
Saturday 3 December 5.30pm
Dobcross
Dobcross Church Fields
Saturday 3 December
Grotton
Junction of Oldham Rd & Grotton Hollow
Sunday 4 December 6.30pm
Diggle
Opposite Warth Mill
Sunday 4 December 4.00pm
Lydgate
The Crossroads of Oldham Road and Platting Road, Lydgate
Thursday 8 December 6.15pm
Consultation Greater Manchester Spatial Framework
Oldham Council is reminding residents they can take part in the consultation on the draft version of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) until December 23.
All 10 Greater Manchester are working together on the joint plan which is being prepared to ensure that new homes and jobs are provided in the right places with the transport (roads, rail, Metrolink) and infrastructure to support the communities and manage growth sustainably.
The draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework sets out:
· How much housing and employment land is needed up to 2035.
· A number of strategic sites across Greater Manchester to assist in meeting these requirements.
· The importance of infrastructure such as, health, education, transport, green spaces and utilities to support neighbourhoods and employment.
· Ways to protect and improve the natural environment.
Any comments you may have on this document are welcome. A final draft will be published in 2017 when another period of consultation will be held.
A number of drop in sessions have been arranged for residents to view the framework:
· 8 November – Performance Space, Oldham Library, Union Street, Oldham – 12noon till 8pm
· 14 November – Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre, High Street, Shaw – 5pm till 6.30pm
· 28 November – Royton Town Hall, Rochdale Road, Oldham – 5pm till 6pm
Additional events may be arranged and details will be published on the council’s webpage http://www.oldham.gov.uk/gmsf
If you can’t attend one of the drop in sessions then paper copies of the draft GMSF may be viewed at local libraries in Oldham and at the Oldham Civic Centre Planning Reception, West Street, Oldham, OL1 IUG (for Sat Navs use OL1 1NL).
Comments may also be made online at http://gmsf-consult.objective.co.uk; by email to GMSF@agma.gov.uk; by post to: Greater Manchester Integrated Support Team, PO Box 532, Town Hall, Manchester, M60 2LA.
For further information on the consultation and to download documents visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/GMSF
Saddleworth Transport Survey
On behalf of TFGM
Transport for Greater Manchester is carrying out a survey to identify what improvements people in Saddleworth think can be made to public transport in the area.
The survey is funded by the Department for Transport’s Total Transport Pilot Fund to deliver joined up and efficient transport links specifically in rural areas.
All comments received during consultation will be considered and compiled in a report, which will be made available to the public online.
The report will help to inform our future recommendations for improving transport in Saddleworth.
To have your say, please complete the survey by 30 November 2016.
Paper copies of the survey have been delivered to households in Saddleworth and to Uppermill Library. If you prefer to fill out a paper copy of the survey, you can send it back to us via freepost, or leave it at Uppermill Library.
Transport for Greater Manchester, Freepost RRHE-RKUUKSJY,
Saddleworth Transport Survey, Manchester, M1 3BG
For more information on the Saddleworth Total Transport scheme email
saddleworthtransport@tfgm.com
Why are you carrying out a consultation?
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is carrying out a consultation to find out what people in Saddleworth think of public transport in the area.
We want to find out where Saddleworth residents travel to and how, and what people think about public transport.
Why is TfGM asking people in Saddleworth about public transport?
People in outlying areas, such as Saddleworth, can feel isolated. This affects people of all ages and has a negative impact on mental and physical health.
We may look to improve public transport to ensure people are better connected to their friends, family, work, hobbies, shops and services. To do this we need to know where Saddleworth residents travel to most frequently.
TfGM does not currently operate bus services in Saddleworth. They are run by commercial bus operators. However, we do subsidise some services to maintain key links on the bus network.
Is this survey in response to the recent reductions in bus services in Saddleworth?
No, the timing is coincidental but recent commercial decisions by bus operators highlight the importance of understanding what level of demand exists for public transport in Saddleworth.
What happens next?
The consultation survey is available now to complete online here. You have until 30 November 2016 to complete the survey.
Paper copies will be distributed to residents and available for collection at Uppermill Library.
All comments received during consultation will be considered and compiled in a report, which will be made available to the public.
The results of the survey will support the development of potential interventions to make the transport network better suited to the needs of Saddleworth residents.