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Articles by Ken Bennett
Mountain rescue share update as Dovestone fire enters third week
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Injured walker rescued
The team rescued injured walker. Using one of their 4x4 Land Rovers, the team quickly located the casualty on the main path around the reservoir Friday lunch time. A team medic assessed the injury, administered pain relief, and immobilised the walker's leg with a splint. Once Northwest Ambulance Service arrived, casualty care was handed over, and volunteers assisted by carefully loading the patient onto a stretcher and carrying approximately 400 metres to the waiting ambulance.
Walker rescued after a fall
Photo credit: Oldham Mountain Rescue Service. Volunteer team members made their way by team 4x4 vehicles up past Greenfield reservoir to the bottom of Birchen Clough on Friday afternoon. The rescue party then headed up the Clough on foot with a paramedic, towards the casualty located near the waterfall. After being checked by the paramedic, the casualty was carefully escorted down the rocky challenging path of Birchen Clough to the waiting vehicles, for onward care with the paramedic.
Man rescued after 'breaking leg' in Sholver woodland
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Moorland blaze on 'first warm day of the year' sparks wildlife warning
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Rescue teams dash to aid lost walkers
A scene from the dramatic rescue. Image courtesy of OMRT The Oldham Mountain Rescue Team was called out to search for two lost walkers in the Dovestones area of Saddleworth. Using PhoneFind technology, the team were able to identify an area near the Ashway waterfalls and quickly deploy to begin the search. On arrival, they located the two hikers - uninjured but wet, cold, hypothermic and unable to continue due to the challenging weather conditions.
Hero Lee's three decades of proud rescue team service
Lee Allport (right) is pictured being presented with his Long Service Award from Team Leader Dave Wyatt Hero Lee Allport has received his 30 Years’ Service Award from the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team. When asked why he chose to join Mountain Rescue, Lee shared that it was very much in his blood. Growing up around the team through his father’s involvement, combined with a lifelong love of the outdoors, joining felt like a natural step, especially after leaving the Parachute Regiment.
Saddleworth milestones set to be more than just signs of the times
Just one of the Saddleworth milestones Two local councillors, with the help of volunteers, are closing in on restoring all the traditional metal milestones across Saddleworth. And the newly-refreshed historic milestones will be more than just signs of the times.
Mountain rescue team dash to help injured walker
The rescue team members carefully carried the casualty by stretcher to a waiting ambulance for further care Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were called out on Saturday evening to assist a walker who had sustained a lower leg injury near Yeoman Hey Reservoir in Saddleworth. The injury left the person unable to walk. On reaching the casualty, the team's specially-trained Mountain Rescue Remote Rescue Medical Technicians carried out a full assessment and then splinted the injured leg.
Karen's walk to Hartshead Pike proves to be a load of rubbish
Just some of the rubbish which Karen cleared up from close to Hartshead Pike Photographer Karen Jakeman set out on what should have been a beautiful 7.5 km circular walk up to a treasured local beauty spot, Hartshead Pike, near Mossley. However, some of the scenes which greeted Karen were far from idyllic. She said: “It was tainted by litterbugs who thought it was okay to leave their litter everywhere after celebrating New Years Eve.
Vandals wreck Christopher's Christmas snowman - again
The wrecked Santa in Delph Community-minded Christopher Bannatyne has seen his latest Christmas creation wrecked for the second time by vandals in a Saddleworth village. His handmade colourful wooden snowman he built in Delph for the enjoyment of local children was wrecked by vandals who left a bag of dog poo as an unwelcome calling card. And a year ago at Christmas, vandals tore through the village, damaging gardens, a greenhouse and a lovingly created Christmas tree he had made.
Delph's Christmas snowman is restored
Christopher Bannatyne pictured with his hand-built, rebuilt, Christmas tree Community champion Christopher Bannatyne was determined not to be defeated by the callous vandals who initially wrecked his hand-built Christmas tree for children in Delph. So he patiently rebuilt the wooden treasure. Christopher said: "The snowman is really happy that he did not receive any life-changing injuries. "He has had to have limbs screwed and plated, but he is up and recovering - cheers.
Thirty-strong rescue team called into action
An image from the incident near Dovestones Thirty Mountain Rescue Team members from Oldham and Holme Valley were involved for four hours after being called out to assist two walkers in the Dovestones area after one had fallen and sustained a knee injury, leaving them unable to continue. Initially the exact location was unclear, but once the walkers were able to describe where they had been, a team was deployed to search up Birchen Clough. Thankfully, they were soon located.
Oldham set to see campaign to eradicate polio
Pictured are Clint Elliott and Shelley Wharton from AGE UK Oldham at Ashby House Day Care with Reshi Rangwala, a friend of Saddleworth Rotary Significant purple patches will appear across Oldham in the new year in the wake of a mission by Saddleworth Rotary Club’s support of a worldwide campaign to eradicate polio. For more than 40 years, Rotary International has worked towards ridding the planet of this debilitating scourge on a global scale with significant success.
Meet the Delph Christmas angels
Prior to distribution, each Angel is labelled with a Christmas greeting from the two Churches in Delph A flock of tiny, hand-crafted Christmas angels are ready to take flight, spreading happiness in a Saddleworth village. The Delph Christmas Angels developed from an original idea started by the Churches Together in Saddleworth. In the months leading to Christmas people are encouraged to knit or crochet small angels following a simple pattern.
Rotary helps light up Lydgate
The Rotary Club donated £150 towards the cost of holding the Lydgate event Community champions Saddleworth Rotary Club brought a special glow when they supported the Light Up Lydgate annual event. The club donated £150 towards the cost of holding the event, which in addition sees the local Christmas Tree lit up and gave local children the opportunity to see Santa Claus and receive a selection box gift.
Joyful Santa Dash proves another huge hit
What a Santa Dash! Image courtesy of Craig Hannah A happy red and white tide of charity Santas swept through a Saddleworth village, when more than 2,500 contestants took part in the legendary Santa Dash. Organised by the hard-working team of Saddleworth Round Table, 25 volunteers set off to stamp their mark on the event in it’s 11th year, with a forecast to raise £30,000 for local good causes.
The Santa Dash is coming!
A scene from last year's annual Santa Dash charity event A red and white tide will sweep Saddleworth on Saturday when generous-spirited Saddleworth Round Table host this year's legendary Santa Dash. The latest event could attract 3,000 fun-loving entrants to take part in the 2km or 5km fun run. It will launch on Saturday, December 6 from King George V playing fields, Uppermill, and the circuit goes to Greenfield before returning to Uppermill.
Family of eight rescued after becoming stuck on steep path
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Stranded family rescued by 12-strong Oldham team
A scene from the incident at Birchen Clough A 12-strong squad from Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were called out to assist a family of eight, consisting of adults and children, who had become stuck in Birchen Clough, close to Dovestones in Saddleworth. The steep path down had become unstable, making it unsafe for the family to continue. Police officers from Greater Manchester Police reached the family first but were unable to bring them safely down, so the team made their way to the location.
Rescue heroes dash to aid injured mountain biker
A scene from the incident on Alphin Pike The Oldham Mountain Rescue Team was called out to assist an injured mountain biker on Alphin Pike, near Dovestones, in Saddleworth. The rider, who was out with friends, had taken a fall on a steep part of the trail and suffered multiple injuries, leaving them unable to continue. The casualty's friends did a great job calling for help and supporting them until mountain rescue arrived.
Marathon man Matt’s mammoth fund-raising effort
A father is taking on a mammoth personal challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 to fund a new playground at his son’s village school. Matthew Webber, 38, is planning to run 100k to help fund a new playground for Holy Trinity CE Dobcross Primary School in Saddleworth, in Spring next year. His gruelling task will take him more than 100 kilometres across the Manchester Marathon, the London Marathon, and, a week later, at the AJ Bell Manchester Half Marathon in May.
Top awards for Lees fighter Jacob
Jacob Cartwright pictured with his medals A 15-year-old boy from Lees has thanked local businesses for supporting his bid to gain two silver medals in the WMO (World Muay Thai Organisation) European Muay Thai Championships in Spain. Jacob Cartwright, a student at the Blue Coat school, stepped up from junior to under 16 youth division to compete in two weight categories (67kg and 71kg) in Seville. In a thank you note to businesses he said: ”I loved every minute of the championships.
Gilbert’s family remembers
Pictured are (left to right) are: Matthew, Ian and Steven The proud family of colourful local musician Gilbert Symes shared a unique Remembrance celebration. From left to right (above), Matthew (22 years), Ian (25 years) and Steven (23 years) all served those years in the forces. Said Gilbert: "Steven is wearing my dad's (his grandfather's) medals Harold Symes royal marine commando 11413. “My dad never claimed them after the war but I claimed them in 1982.
Austerlands remembers...
Pictured are service participants David Needham (event organiser), Cllr Pam Byrne, Paul Sykes, Mrs Susan Smith, Roger Fielding and Vicky Prescott. Image courtesy of Robert Cragg Almost 200 people were at Saddleworth’s oldest Great War Memorial, in Austerlands, where residents answered the appeal to join together and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice amid the tragedy of war.
Try sharing life down on the farm
The family have 37 heritage pedigree Ryeland sheep Do you fancy cuddling a lamb or letting your pet dog learn some tricks from a sheep dog? Karl Jones, 55, who runs a Saddleworth smallholding with his family, is offering stimulating packages encouraging families the chance to learn and share how farming in a traditional and sustainable way works for them. They have launched their business from Ivy Cottage, their farm off Hollins Road near the Roebuck Inn at Strinesdale.
Spooky times in Diggle!
Strange(r) Things are happening here! The Diggle Spooky Trail continues this half term and runs until Sunday (November 2). There are 17 spooky scarecrows dotted around the village and all displaying a hidden word to make a Halloween rhyme. Trail sheets are priced at just £3 each, making excellent value for money activity. Sheets can be purchased here, then collected at any of the participating vendors: The Gate Inn, Diggle Lock, The Loading Bay, Grandpa Greene's and The Diggle Hotel.
Group set up in bid to save Saddleworth’s Moorgate Halt
PEOPLE opposed to the closure of a Saddleworth level crossing as part of a multi-billion pound rail project have launched a campaign to replace it with a bridge. Moorgate Halt, in Uppermill, has been at the centre of much conjecture as the TransPennine Route Upgrade takes shape. Bosses want to close the facility and make alternative provision.
Not smoke from a chimney - but birdsong from a famous landmark
The Austerlands Chimney is pictured from above This ancient Saddleworth landmark (above) has taken on a new identity as a birdsong sanctuary after a drone video drew a huge response across social media.
Unwelcome invaders sighted near Uppermill park
The Signal Crayfish pictured in Uppermill Take a look at the picture (above) and you will see an unwelcome ‘invader’. The photograph was taken this week by children at the stepping stones, near Uppermill park. Now the Mersey Rivers Trust reveal: "We are aware of the American Signal Crayfish in the River Tame which is an invasive, non-native species from North America that was introduced to the UK in the 1970s.
Top local doctor launches hospital parking campaign
Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE, former Mayor of Oldham and respected GP, has launched a major campaign calling for urgent improvements to parking facilities at Royal Oldham Hospital, after growing frustration among patients, visitors and NHS staff struggling to find a space. Dr Chauhan has written to Oldham’s two MPs - Debbie Abrahams and Jim McMahon, and Manchester MP Lucy Powell, asking them to lobby the national government and support local efforts to deliver a long-term solution.
Campaign launched to save popular footpath
The Moorgate level crossing Respected community groups are launching a high profile campaign to ensure an ancient Saddleworth footpath remains open. Network Rail propose to close the Moorgate level crossing in Uppermill as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Rescue heroes dash to aid of walker who suffered head injury
A scene from the rescue on Alphin Pike The Oldham Mountain Rescue Team was called to assist a walker who had fallen and sustained a head injury on Alphin Pike, near Dovestones, Greenfield. Using PhoneFind, they confirmed the casualty’s location and deployed team members from Bradbury Farm, near Dovestone Sailing Club. On arrival, Team Medics assessed and treated the casualty before preparing them for evacuation by stretcher.
Former golf club head pro David Melling dies
David Melling pictured in his younger days Former local golf professional David Melling has died aged 77 following a short illness. David was the Head Pro at Crompton and Royton Golf Club for 38 years from 1972-2010, before being made a Life Member upon his retirement. David was an accomplished player, once touring South Africa and later winning multiple Lancashire Order of Merit pro-am events events in the UK and abroad.
The legendary Santa Dash is back!
A scene from last year's epic Santa Dash The legendary Saddleworth Santa Dash is set to return to Uppermill on Saturday, December 6, promising an exciting festive, fun-filled day for the whole family. The event, organised by Saddleworth Round Table, begins at midday in King George V Park and car park, where visitors can explore a variety of market stalls offering unique gifts, crafts, and seasonal treats.
Locals urged to back Party in the Park showpiece
The Party in the Park has always been a popular local event Organisers of Delph’s famous Party in the Park are desperately asking for support for this year’s event from the locals of Saddleworth. They say ticket sales are very low at the moment with less than a week to go before the magical event this coming Saturday (27th) at Delph and Dobcross cricket club.
First year of community store success is welcomed by locals
The Village Store and Post Office in Dobcross Customers at a community-driven Village Store and Post Office proved the pies really do have it when they revealed impressive results in its first year of trading. More than 40 supporters and locals who attended Dobcross Village Society meeting at the village Band Club learned that every item bought at the bustling shop makes a difference to the success of the operation.
Historic church windows saved
The Churches Conservation Trust has announced it has reached the fundraising goal of £7,000 for the restoration of the iconic St Thomas window at St Thomas’ Church, also known as Heights Chapel. This beautifully crafted stained-glass window, a cherished feature of the Friarmere church, had unfortunately suffered damage from deterioration and instability due to environmental exposure and the passage of time.
Village Olympics celebrates 40 action-packed years
The games were celebrating their 40th anniversary and it is all down to David Needham’s original vision when he was chair of Saddleworth Parish Council Unassuming David Needham stood in quiet reflection at the exciting razzmatazz launch of the weekend's Saddleworth Village Olympics. The games were celebrating their 40th anniversary and it is all down to Mr Needham’s original vision when he was chair of Saddleworth Parish Council.
Party in the Park is back for a 20th anniversary special
The Party in the Park has always been a massively popular local event The much-loved Party in the Park celebrates its 20th anniversary on September 27 this year at Delph and Dobcross cricket club, with a great line-up of classic tribute acts promised once again. They include Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, the ever popular Abberettes and headlining Elton John. Support comes local bands includes Black Garter and up and coming boys the Boundary Parkas, who will make their first appearance at the event.
Campaigning villagers urge locals to boycott new post boxes
The letter box at the Dobcross Village Store and Post Office before it was changed recently Campaigning Saddleworth villagers say a new digital post box system is “flawed” and should be boycotted. Several weeks ago, Cllr Garth Harkness alerted communities after writing to Royal Mail about concerns over the changes to post boxes in Dobcross, Delph and Diggle. He alerted the communities they were to turn into digital post boxes so small parcels can be left in them.
Mountain biker rescue drama
A scene from Wednesday's incident On Wednesday morning, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were contacted by North West Ambulance Service to help a mountain biker who had fallen off their bike and injured their shoulder on the moors above Carrbrook, near Stalybridge. Team vehicles were soon on their way and their 4x4 Land Rover was able to drive over moorland tracks directly to the casualty, where they met with a paramedic who had walked up.
Mountain biker hospitalised following accident near Dovestones Reservoir
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New name for Oldham's Old Library called 'shameful' but leader defends move
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Oldham Council blasted over new name for refurbished library and new town hall
Oldham's Old Library has been refurbished and is transformed Oldham Council’s leadership team has taken a tongue-lashing from several of its councillors over the decision to rename the newly-refurbished Old Library after a ‘local hero’. The Old Library was opened to the public for the first time this weekend after a £32m restoration project that included building a brand new council chamber on its upper levels.
Smiles all round as Band Club celebrate again
CAMRA’s Regional Director, Ralph Warrington, presenting the two awards to a very proud Adele Taylor There were smiles all round as Dobcross Band Club celebrated another double success in the local and regional CAMRA real ale awards. Members of the Rochdale, Oldham and Bury branch were joined by their counterparts from the Greater Manchester regional branch to celebrate the club's success.
Tandle Hill park rescue drama
A scene from Saturday's rescue incident At tea time on Saturday, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were contacted by North West Ambulance Service to assist with a lady who had slipped down a steep hill side in Tandle Hill Country Park. The lady had badly injured her ankle and was unable to walk. Together with the ambulance crew, the team splinted the ankle and then placed the casualty onto our stretcher for the 500m carry to the waiting ambulance. Eleven team members were involved for two hours.
Dynamic rescue team duo pledge to raise funds for heroic Finn
Rick Beswick and his faithful dog Ace Oldham Mountain Rescue Team dog handler Rick Beswick and his faithful dog Ace have teamed up for a unique fundraiser for a heroic little boy. Last year, Rick’s best mate's son, Finn, now aged five, was diagnosed with leukaemia. Rick said: “It's been a horrific year for them all, and the only real way I can help is to raise a bit of money for their selected charity.
Dynamic rescue team duo pledge to raise funds for brave Finn
Rick Beswick and his faithful dog Ace Oldham Mountain Rescue Team dog handler Rick Beswick and his faithful dog Ace have teamed up for a unique fundraiser for a heroic little boy. Last year, Rick’s best mate's son, Finn, now aged five, was diagnosed with leukaemia. Rick said: “It's been a horrific year for them all, and the only real way I can help is to raise a bit of money for their selected charity.
Councillor challenges village post box issues
The letter box at the Dobcross Village Store and Post Office Councillor Garth Harkness has joined Dobcross villagers' concerns, underlining his "disappointment" to hear issues surrounding the post box this week. The existing historic post box has been sealed without warning while alterations take place to accommodate a new digital system. Now the councillor says: "I have written to Royal Mail to express these concerns and would urge others to do so too.
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