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
Diggle Whit Friday Committee need your help
This year’s house to house collection by the Diggle Whit Friday Committee in Diggle will be held on 1st-8th May.
This is the only fundraising done by the Diggle Whit Friday Committee and the monies collected will be used to pay for the morning processions.
1. Paying the Bands
2. Purchasing refreshments to give to all Diggle children on the field in Uppermill
3. Hiring the coach for less mobile residents to and from Uppermill
5. Contribution to hymn sheets, insurance PA system etc. at the communal service.
6. Paying our share for services provided by IOS security personnel to ensure the safety of all the processions.
Lynda Elmore, committee member says, ‘Please help in anyway you can by giving a donation, however small, to our small group of volunteers. This will ensure the fantastic tradition of the Whit Friday walks continues for many years to come.’
The collectors can be recognised by their white jackets which will have Diggle Whit Friday printed on them.
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Volunteers Tidy Towpaths in Diggle
Diggle Community Association (DCA) join the drive to clean up and improve Saddleworth’s canal system.
DCA chairman, Mark Brooks says ‘THANK YOU’ to all those who attended the Diggle towpath clean up event on Saturday 16th March. In just two hours a group of over fifteen volunteers managed to pick and remove thirty-five bags of rubbish from the canal towpath.
The DCA are looking to develop this clean-up project in the future by ‘adopting’ the Diggle section of the canal. The group have the full support of the the Canal & River Trust and are liaising with clean-up groups attached to the Uppermill, Greenfield, Dobcross and Mossley community associations.
Future events are being planned and details will be published on the DCA’s Facebook page.
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Help Stop Fly Tipping
Harrop Edge, Diggle
Help stop fly tipping. If you see it, report it.
You can report fly tipping by getting in touch with Oldham Council by phone or online.
Phone: 0161 770 2244
Report it online
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Honouring Saddleworth’s Volunteers
Cllr. Neil Allsopp, Chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council is asking for nominations for the Annual Volunteer of Saddleworth Awards. The awards will be presented this year at a dinner being held at The Three Crowns, Scouthead, on Friday, 13th May, 2016, 7pm for 7.30pm. Price £15/each.
This annual event has been running for several years and is to honour those who donate time and effort to charity work. Or have shown dedication in helping others in need of support either in the community or at home.
The award is open to anyone who lives in Saddleworth and receives no payment for their charitable work. There are two sections, one for a person, couple or group and one for a young person up to the age of 16.
Please send nominations with the reason why the person/s deserve the award to Cllr Neil Allsopp, 23 St. Marys Drive, Greenfield, Saddleworth OL3 7DT.
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Greater Manchester Walking Festival steps out for second year
TfGM walking
Greater Manchester is again putting its best foot forward with the region’s second annual Walking Festival taking place throughout May.
The festival, which runs from Sunday 1 to Tuesday 31 May, has doubled in size, this year offering more than 200 free guided walks exploring local towns, cities, countryside, canals, riversides and parks across Greater Manchester.
The walks are coordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and are supported by around 30 walking groups and charities, showcasing all the region has to offer.
There will be expert-led walks covering interests including wildlife, history, music and much more. While enjoying a walk, people taking part could also learn how to forage for food and listen out for bats or get tips on taking a great photo – and there’s even the chance to give Nordic walking a go.
There are around ten walks in the Oldham area organised by Dunwood Park Nordic Walkers, Active Oldham Outdoors, Lees Health Walks, Experience Community CIC, Oldham Community Leisure and Oldham Ramblers. The full list of walks is at the Greater Manchester Walking Festival website.
Laura Vayro, from Experience Community CIC, said: “We’re looking forward to our ramble around Dovestone Reservoir in May as part of the Walking Festival.
“Why not bring your own mountain trike or contact us to hire one of ours for the day? Quite a few people took up the challenge last year to get past Yeoman Hey Reservoir and up to Greenfield Reservoir – a massive achievement!
“If you love the countryside, but haven’t been able to get out and about for a while, then this is the event for you.”
The festival aims to get as many people as possible across Greater Manchester to find out how easy – and enjoyable – walking more can be. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, provide the chance to explore Greater Manchester, meet new people and get more active.
Helen Ramsden, Head of Travel Choices and Active Travel for TfGM, said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to run the festival again following the success of last year. This year it’s bigger and better and we want to get even more people involved.
“We owe a huge thank you to all our walking partners and walk leaders, many of whom are voluntary, who run all the walks and make this festival possible.
“We hope that by encouraging people to join a local walk that they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the festival has ended.”
“People are often surprised that walking briskly for just 20-25 minutes a day can add up to seven years to your life – it really is that simple”
In addition, in 2016 TfGM will be keeping the momentum going with ‘Walking Weekends’, offering more free guided walks, held over a series of weekends throughout the summer and autumn months as well as engaging with businesses through the ‘Walking Workplaces’ project, which works with businesses to encourage walking in work and during the working day.
Funded by the Department of Transport, the Greater Manchester Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s Walking Works project, encouraging people to make a walk part of their daily routine.
To find out what’s happening in each area, visit www.tfgm.com/walking where there is an online copy of the festival brochure containing all the walks. Copies of the brochure are also available in TfGM Travel shops and various other outlets across Greater Manchester. Or you can order a copy from: walking.works@tfgm.com.
On social media, check out the GM Walking Festival Facebook page or search for the #GMWalkFest hashtag on Twitter.
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Tidying Diggle’s Towpath
Free guitar taster session with Paddy O’Hare
We Need Your Help
Photo: ©StuartColeman
The Diggle Band Contest organisers need your help.
Helpers are needed for this year’s band contest in Diggle on 20th May 2016. Organisers are looking for people to do a stint of around one hour directing coaches and guiding bands.
Young people are very welcome as helpers.
Anyone who is interested should contact Brian Cliffe by email at: brian@cliffes.myzen.co.uk
Brian says, “It’s very difficult to organise the event without support from the community. The more people we have, the less onerous the job is. If people can donate one hour of their time, we can easily manage this fantastic event and protect its future in Diggle.”
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Oldham Sports Awards 2016
Temporary traffic lights on Standedge Rd
On the 4th April 2016 Unity Partnership will be carrying out maintenance work on a highway retaining structure on the A670 Standedge Road, Diggle near to the junction of A62 Hudderfield Road. This structure has recently partially collapsed and is in a precarious state. While it does not affect the A670 directly, it does affect an old ‘turnpike’ access which is considered to be part of the adopted public highway. It also directly affects access to Ackers Farm just off the A670.
A permanent solution to repair this retaining structure is currently being designed. However, in order to facilitate the main retaining wall works and to ensure that the residents of Ackers Farm have full access to their property in the event of further collapse, a temporary access road is to be constructed as shown on the attached plans. This temporary access will link the existing private driveway to the A670 and negate the necessity to use the existing ‘turnpike’. The temporary access road will remain in-situ until such time as the retaining wall repairs have been fully completed, whereupon it will be removed and the ‘turnpike’ access recommissioned.
The Works are scheduled to commence on Monday, 4th April 2016 and should take approximately three weeks. Two-way temporary traffic signals will operate on the A670 along with a pedestrian diversion to ensure the safety of public while the Works are being constructed.
If you require any further information, please visit: Unity Partnership
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Saddleworth Players: The Handyman by Ronald Harwood
Saddleworth players next production The Handyman 2-9th April
Holocaust Did-He-Do-It in Delph
Cressida and Julian Field live comfortably in the English countryside with their elderly Ukrainian odd-job man and friend of the family, Romka. Suddenly the police arrive. What has Romka done? Is he guilty? Is there a time limit on revenge and punishment?
The Handyman by Ronald Harwood is a play with two themes: a real did-he-do-it? drama, but also one that ponders the question of guilt and retribution for acts committed during the Second World War, exploring the questions of culpability, retribution. universal responsibility and the possibility of evil.
The accused is Romka Kozachenko (played by Ian Perks), an elderly Ukrainian odd-job man who, since coming to England in 1947, has lived as the employee and dear friend of a family of well-heeled Sussex Catholics. Cressida (Clare Bennett) and Julian (played by John Hoyle – and Hugh Bonneville in the original play), have their world torn apart by the arrival of the war-crimes squad (played by John Tanner and Stephen Hendren).
Steve Bennett (creative director at Shaw’s Playhouse 2) returns to direct at Saddleworth Players for the first time since 2008, where he will stretch the cast and crew in a great play.
The Handyman’ is performed by Saddleworth Players at Millgate Arts Centre in Delph from 2nd April til 9th April.
For tickets Book on line
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/millgateartscentre
For preview and blogs written by cast and crew click below
http://www.saddleworthplayers.org.uk/posts/all-news
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Charitable hero Jo runs 32 miles for The Christie
By Jo Taylor
My good friend Jo Cunningham has come up with the (mad) idea of completing many challenges throughout 2016 to raise money for The Christie hospital, where I am treated every 3 weeks for secondary breast cancer.
Jo Cunningham and Howard Chambers
A few weeks ago we completed a 20 mile marathon walk from Diggle to Didsbury, along with Jo Cunningham’s colleagues from Diggle Day Nursery. The next challenge she had set herself was an ultra 32 mile run. Now, of course this is no mean feat. Her running partner Howard Chambers, from Saddleworth running club, has been coaching Jo and has been a great friend of mine for many years.
Jo had never run further than a marathon and although she is fit and an excellent runner, she had some doubts that she’d be able to complete it. We (all her friends) knew she could do it and that she’d smash it. But of course, it’s a bit of mind over matter when running, especially on the hills.
Anyway, the big day arrived and they set off at 8am from Howarth, up (yes up!) the cobbled street and then out over the moors for a day of fell running. We had no idea how she was getting on until we received a text saying “20 miles and feeling good” – which included the obligatory selfie with Howard!
Our friend Jane and myself were planning to meet Jo, so we had to get our skates on, if we were going to make it. Traffic, diversions and Sunday drivers (even though it was Saturday – and yes, lots of swearing!) hindered our progress. We received another text from Jo saying “Just 4 miles to go!”
We, still had 8 miles to drive to get to Haworth (Slow down Jo!!!). So, finally we arrived and the parking fairy was kind (thank you). Fortunately, we were able to park outside the school, where the race was due to finish.
Jo Cunningham and friends
We met up with Bren, Jo’s husband who was waiting patiently. Ten minutes later Jo came running in. It was very emotional and a fantastic achievement. They had just run 32 miles and both looked as ‘fresh-as-daisies’. Jo had a beam across her face – which told me she had enjoyed the race. The official time was 6 hours 50 minutes. What an achievement.
I personally want to say a huge thank you to Jo for this massive effort and she can now REALLY call herself an ULTRA distance runner. She is just AMAZING ❤
If you wish to donate to Jo’s campaign for The Christie, then please visit www.justgiving.com/Joanne-Taylor41 where you will find details and also find a list of other events that will be going on throughout the year.
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Diggle Duck Race 2016
Diggle Duck Race 2016
Date:28th March
Start Time:12.30pm
Prizes:£100, Meal for two at the Gate Inn plus bottle of wine – value £30, £20
Sponsored by Grandpa Greene’s
Free egg hunt afterwards
Tickets from Grandpa Greene’s, The Gate Inn, Diggle Post Office
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Roadworks – Huddersfield Road, Diggle
Roadworks – Huddersfield Road, Diggle SATURDAY 12TH MARCH.
Unity Partnership’s road repair contractors will be resurfacing Huddersfield Road adjacent to house numbers 191-211. Huddersfield Rd this Saturday 12th March from 7.30am until 4pm.
A traffic light control system will be in place on the day, and residents are asked to park their cars away from the marked areas from 7.30am until 4pm on that Saturday.
For more information contact Cllr Keith Lucas at: keith_independent@icloud.com
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Oldham Council Forced to Reconsider School Planning Applications
Cllr Keith Lucas
Oldham Council is forced to reconsider the planning applications relating to the proposed new Saddleworth School in Diggle.
A special meeting of the local authority’s cross-party Planning Committee had met on February 25 to consider four applications to:
- Build the new Saddleworth School on the WH Shaw Pallets site in Diggle;
- Demolish existing buildings on the WH Shaw site, excluding the listed building;
- Demolish the link bridge attached to the Grade II listed building on the WH Shaw site;
- Provide a parental drop off area plus residential car parking as part of the wider highways scheme in Diggle.
Some hours before the meeting – at which all four applications were approved – a letter was received from objectors.
It raised concerns, in relation to one of the applications, about how much importance should be given to the effect of the proposals on the setting of the listed building.
Oldham Council sought external legal advice and has now decided to reconsider the four applications at another special meeting.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “We got a letter three hours before the Extraordinary Planning Committee met to consider these applications. That didn’t leave much time to consider what are very complex legal matters so it was only right and proper that we have taken external advice.
“As all the applications have previously been dealt with as one matter that means we must reconsider them together to ensure that fair and complete decisions are taken.
“In the light of that – and to avoid the risk of any further unnecessary potential legal challenge and delays – the four related applications will be therefore be considered again at an Extraordinary Planning Committee.”
Spokesperson for the Save Diggle Action Group, Keith Lucas said: “Cllr Hibbert’s statement neglects to mention that Save Diggle Action Group’s legal team’s letter gave OMBC the option to either adjourn the planning committee or defer their decision to give themselves time to consider the “complex legal matters” it raises and seek expert legal advice. Instead they decided to go ahead and determine the applications, on the advice of their legal department who could, they claimed, see no legal difficulties with Planning Officer’s report. SDAG told the planning committee 4 times that they were acting unlawfully, they choose to continue anyway.
“How is it that over and over again SDAG on behalf of residents of Saddleworth have to show OMBC that they are not managing to act with due diligence in a planning application that will have a severe and everlasting social and environmental impact on Diggle and its surrounding environs?
“The word “objectors“ is continually used for people that care about their environment and heritage, but I see them as Saddleworth’s custodians. The SDAG campaign for the school to stay where it is has always been lawful and truthful. People who are prepared to fight all the way to get OMBC to accept that the school should have already been built in Uppermill for the benefit of all of Saddleworth’s children has been our most important goal.”
Alistair Wallace, representing Irwin Mitchell, said, “There was a flaw in the decision making process. We had concerns about the legality of the application and it would appear that Oldham Council shares those concerns.”
The post Oldham Council Forced to Reconsider School Planning Applications appeared first on Diggle News.
Clean for the Queen – Cancelled due to snow
OMBC Approves School Plans
Chair of Oldham Planning Committee Photo:©StuartColeman
At last night’s extraordinary planning meeting Oldham’s Councillors voted unanimously to approve plans to build a new Saddleworth School in Diggle.
Four planning applications, presented to the Planning Committee by Steven Irvine, Head of Planning for Oldham, were examined and all but the highways application, with one against, were passed unanimously.
It was suggested by the Diggle Community Association Chairman, Mark Brooks, who spoke against the applications, that the applications were unlawful. The chair ruled against this on advice from the borough solicitor.
Mr Brooks, a parent of children at Saddleworth School, addressed the committee and audience as an objector to each of the applications. He said, “Over the last three years this Council has ignored repeated public expressions of serious concern and opposition to the scheme.
“The Planning Officer’s perverse report asserts the numerous harms associated with the Diggle proposal are ‘outweighed by the benefits it will bring’ – poppycock!
Keith Lucas Photo:©StuartColeman
“All these benefits can also be achieved on the Uppermill site, without any of the associated harmful impacts.” He added: “We are fully prepared and very well equipped to continue the fight to oppose this destructive and ill-considered proposal.”
Following the meeting, Saddleworth Parish Cllr Keith Lucas said, “This is the end of the beginning. We are working closely with our solicitors at Irwin and Mitchell and will take their advice on what our next step is.
“The outcome was inevitable. We didn’t expect anything else. If we can take it to judicial review we will.”
Matthew Milburn, headmaster of Saddleworth School, highlighted the benefits of the new school for 1,500 pupils as he spoke in favour of the new school application. He said, “It is so much more than just a building. It is an asset for the community of Saddleworth.
Mark Brooks Photo:©StuartColeman
Matthew Milburn Photo:©StuartColeman
“We want to be good neighbours. The impacts will be monitored when the school is fully functional. The school has been waiting eight years for a new school. This is the best site and the best scheme possible so we can provide the best education for children for generations to come.”
Stephen Irvine Photo:©StuartColeman
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Related stories:
The fight will continue say Saddleworth residents
Oldham Council Forced to Reconsider School Planning Applications
Public storm out of Parish Council Meeting
SDAG mount legal challenge against Saddleworth School planning applications
Debbie Abrahams will not oppose moving Saddleworth School to Diggle
Diggle Mum Raises £2545 for The Christie
Local resident and cancer survivor, Jo Taylor, completed, with her friends and supporters, a marathon 20 mile sponsored walk on Saturday 20th February raising over £2545 for The Christie.
Although the weather conditions were difficult, a mixed group of twenty-one people, including Jo’s two children, Regan and Faran, completed the walk from Diggle to The Christie in Didsbury.
Jo said, “I am very grateful for the support and help I got from my friends and colleagues. Without their help, none of this would be possible. It means a lot to me that so many people care and want to support me and the work of The Christe.
“Children at the nursery were brilliant. They helped us to make a fabulous banner by printing their painted footsteps and two of my work colleagues provided much needed support on route keeping us plied with hot drinks and bacon butties . All in all, we had a fantastic day in awful weather conditions and managed to raise lots of money for a great cause.”
This is one of twelve fundraising events that Jo Taylor is organising, with her friend Jo Cunningham, to take place during 2016. The next event will be a Ladies Night at Dobcross Bandclub in March.
If you would like to support Jo and The Christie or want to learn more about her story and the work she does with After Breast Cancer Diagnosis then visit:
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OMBC struggle to deal with questions about the new Saddleworth School
Stephen Irvine (left) responding to questions
Stephen Irvine, Head of Planning and Infrastructure at Oldham Council, struggled, last night, to answer questions posed by Saddleworth residents relating to proposals to build a new Saddleworth School in Diggle.
The meeting organised by Saddleworth Parish Council and attended by over two hundred residents examined, through a question and answer session, the four planning proposals due to be presented to Oldham Borough Council on the 25th February.
- PA/337301/15: Construction of a new Saddleworth School (for ages 11 to 16) with associated sports fields and pitches, external recreation and teaching space together with parking landscaping and associated works.
- PA/337931/15: Demolition of 5 buildings.
- LB/337929/15: Demolition of the link bridge connected to the listed office building.
- PA/337930/15: New car park drop-off facility, residents’ parking area and associated highway works.
Following a clear presentation of the proposals by Stephen Irvine residents were given the opportunity to ask questions. Although Mr Irvine dealt competently with those relating to heritage and the school building, he struggled to deal with issues relating to highways, health and safety and flooding because, at his own admission, this was beyond his expertise.
This limited ability to respond by Stephen Irvine begs the question: Why were flooding and highways engineers not at the meeting? As a result, many key questions were left unanswered and deferred until Mr Irvine could consult his engineers directly. In defence of Mr Irvine’s difficult position, he has promised answers to unanswered questions and will forward them on to the Parish Council for publication on their website.
Mr Irvine said that positives and negatives would be weighed against each other and he acknowledged that, to-date, negatives relating to pick-up and drop-off of children, safety on footpaths, flooding, sustainable transport and the future use/management of the clock tower had not been satisfactorily dealt with.
Cllr Keith Lucas, spokesperson for the Save Diggle Action Group, said, ‘I’m really pleased Steven Irvine met with the public and gave them an opportunity to ask questions directly. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t accompanied by colleagues who could deal with questions falling outside his expertise.’
Based on Stephen Irvine’s admission that answers to several major issues have not, as yet, been found, the building of a new Saddleworth School in Diggle continues to be some way from being ‘a done deal’.
If residents want to comment in writing, the statutory consultation date, for the above planning applications, has been extended to the 31st January 2016 and Oldham Planning Department have said that objections can be sent in up to the 24th February 2016.
The Planning Officer will produce his report and recommendation to the Planning Committee about two weeks before the committee date, so to be sure that your objections are taken into account by the Planning Officer they will need to be received by 10th February 2016.
Letters should be sent to: Planning.Admin@oldham.gov.uk
or OMBC Planning, Planning Team, Oldham Council, Civic Centre, PO Box 30, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UQ
Further information is available at: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/new_saddleworth_school
Template objection letters are available at: http://www.savediggle.org.uk
A special meeting of the Oldham Council Planning Committee will be held just to decide these applications on Thursday 25th February 2016 at 6.00pm. The public are welcome to attend and observe proceedings.
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Two Birds of Prey Killed in Peak District
Osprey Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region
Reward offered as more birds of prey are illegally killed in the Peak District National Park
Derbyshire Police and the RSPB are appealing for information following the illegal killing of two birds of prey near to Glossop, Derbyshire. A £1000 reward has been offered by the RSPB for information leading to a conviction.
On 9th of September 2015 a dead osprey was found to the west of Derbyshire Level. A post mortem on the bird revealed that both its legs had been recently broken, injuries which were consistent with it being caught in a spring trap prior to its death. Ospreys are rare visitors to the Peak District and this one would have been on migration to West Africa.
On the 30th September, a buzzard was found shot dead close to Hurst Reservoir, only a short distance from where the osprey was found. This follows the shooting of another buzzard in the same area in March 2014.
Police Sergeant Darren Belfield from Derbyshire Police said: “I would appeal to anyone who might have any information as to who may be responsible for these cruel acts to contact the Police. The continued persecution of birds of prey in the Peak District is totally unacceptable. If you suspect someone of committing any crimes against wildlife, act now. Your call will be dealt with in confidence. If you don’t feel you can talk to the Police, pass the information to us through Crimestoppers either by telephone or the internet.”
RSPB Investigations Officer Alan Firth said: “Yet again, we are seeing the senseless killing of fantastic birds of prey in the National Park.”
Last year, the RSPB published its annual Birdcrime Report 2014, which revealed Derbyshire as one of the worst places in the UK for bird of prey persecution. In 2014, the RSPB received 16 reports of bird of prey incidents in the county including a shot buzzard, a shot sparrowhawk and an illegally trapped goshawk.
Anyone with information that could assist either enquiry is encouraged to contact Derbyshire Police in confidence on 101.
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