Grange                                                                                  Ammon Wrigley

SADDLEWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2005

"It's good to be in Saddleworth,
Just to wander up and down,
When the home-fed hams are salted
And the hunting ale is brown;
When the fields are Autumn dappled
And the haigs red on the thorn
And the wild hare sits and listens
For the winding of the horn".

At the Sign of the Three Bonnie Lasses. Ammon Wrigley.

A Syllabus containing the new season's lectures is enclosed with this bulletin and provides an attractive programme prepared by our Secretary, Neil Barrow, who is to be congratulated on maintaining an excellent range of varied talks.    Please take note that the first lecture will be held on a SATURDAY, the 15th October, 2005, 7.30 pm., at FRIEZLAND CHURCH, Greenfield, details are furnished below.

FORTHCOMING LECTURES.

PUBLICATIONS.

Reprint of James Butterworth's HISTORY OF SADDLEWORTH

If anyone wishes to order a copy of the above book which is due for publication shortly and to ensure your name is in the subscribers list will you please note that the last date to order is the 15th October, 2005.            Contact Neil Barrow, or forward your order form which was enclosed with the last Bulletin.

SADDLEWORTH VILLAGES BOOK.

The above book has proved extremely popular and the last 100 copies are in stock if you wish to place an order please contact our Publications Officer. Graham Griffiths - see Publications List for address and price.

Members who wish to add to their collection of James Butterworth books may be interested to know that his 'History & Description of the Town & Parish of Ashton-U-Lyne & the Village of Dukinfield', is being republished by Chethams Library at a cost £22.50 inc. packing and postage Cheque and order to Chethams Library, Long Mill Gate, Manchester. M3 1SB

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

As a major part of the Heritage Open Days on Saturday & Sunday 10th& 11th September, 05 Jim Carr organised a most informative walk around the Castleshaw Roman Forts explaining their history and the periods of occupation to maintain order amongst the Brigantes tribes of these Northern Pennines. The Fort & Fortlet were only short lived, the site was closed about A.D.120 when the Romans moved off to build Hadrian's Wall.

SOCIETY COACH TRIP

The Annual Coach Trip held on the 16th July, 2005, to The City of Lancaster was a success with an excellent conducted tour of this historic city by Alan Petford whose personal experience enabled him to provide a greater interest for the members. Many thanks to Elsie Broadbent and Dorothy Latimer for their organisation.

CBA North West Industrial Archaeology Panel. 2005 Conference. Dukinfield Town Hall, Tameside.

LIVING IN THE INDUSTRIAL TOWN. The Archaeology of the Workers' House in North West England.            Saturday 19th November, 9-30 am - 4-30 pm

Venue: Dukinfield Town Hall, Tameside.

Chairman - Michael Nevell. Talks by Lynn Walker, Geoff Timmins, Sandra Hayton, David George, Simon Askew, Michael Nevell. Extended lunch hour including a tour of workers' housing around Dukinfield.
Contact Jim Carr for further information.
Closing date for booking 14th October, 05.       The cost will be £15.00

Greater Manchester Archaeology Day at The University of Manchester.

Saturday 29th October, 2005. 9.00 am. - 4.15 pm.

Opening address: Robina McNeil (GMAU) Introduction: Norman Redhead (GMUA)
Iron Age Fort at Mellor, Stockport: John Roberts (UMAU)
Roman Manchester: Richard Gregory (UMAU)
Roman Bath House at Wigan: John Zant (OAN)
Medieval & Early post-medieval settlement at Gadbury Fold, Atherton. Pete Connelly (UMAU)
Dig Manchester: Moston Hall & Northenden Mill: Simon Askew (UMAU)
Cellar Dwellings in Piccadilly, Manchester: Chris Wild (OAN)
Excavations in Ancoats: Mills & Glass Works: Ian Miller (OAN)
Textile Finishing and Mill Investigations: Mike Nevell (UMAU)

Price of Conference... £18.00 Contact Jim Carr for further details.

ST. THOMAS'S CHURCH, HEIGHTS, DELPH

To celebrate the Church's Festival at St. Thomas's, Heights, Delph, on the 16th July, 05, a goodly crowd, indeed a godly one, enjoyed a tour of the churchyard conducted by Michael Buckley who indicated the gravestones of various Saddleworth notables.

In the evening Victor Khadem played excellent piano music to a highly appreciative audience.

SADDLEWORTH CIVIC TRUST.

Friday 14th October, 05    7.30 pm       Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill.
Members Evening - meet other Members and the Committee.
ALSO 'Planning Issues, both Nationally & Locally'
A presentation by Geoff Willerton, Director of Planning at OMBC. Questions invited.

Thursday   24th November,05  7.15 pm        ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Followed by an illustrated talk by Michael Buckley.
'Our Saddleworth Heritage'.

Sunday 18th December, 05           Times to be finalised.
Winter Trip to Merseyside. Possibly a morning visit to The Lever Museum followed by the Holly Bough Service 3.00 pm. at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and tea at the Adelphi Hotel.

To join the Saddleworth Civic Trust contact: Mrs. Loma Gartside

FRIENDS OF SADDLEWORTH MUSEUM

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ?

Mrs. Janet Benson and Mrs. Delia O'Kane have occupied the situations of Treasurer and Membership Secretary to the Friends of Saddleworth Museum for 15 years and now they have decided to resign. We are urgently in need of two public-spirited people who would be willing to take on the Honorary duties of these two positions.            If anyone wishes to help in running and administering the organisation of the Friends will they please contact J. Hindle or Peter Fox at the Museum. Tuesday night is the main period for volunteer activity in these vital and important positions.

Congratulations are due to Janet and Delia for 15 years of sterling service in maintaining the successful operation of a viable Museum.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT THE MUSEUM.

Coffee Mornings & Boutique.          2nd Wednesday each month.

Farmers' Market.                             2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday Lunch at the Museum.       13th November, 05

Coach Trip to Chatsworth House.  Wednesday 23rd November, 05

Model Railway Show.                      Saturday & Sunday 26/27th November, 05

ART EXHIBITIONS

Toni Rigby                                       13th October, until the end of the year.
Temporary Exhibitions.
Delph Donkey, Granny & Grandpa,            Continue to run. Saddleworth Civic Trust.

MUSEUM OPENING TIMES.

Summer. Mon. to Saturday            10.00 a.m. to 5.00 pm. WINTER: Everyday 1.00 pm. to 4.00

Sunday   12 noon - 5.00 pm

MEMBERSHIP SECTION.

This quarter we can report seven new members and are pleased to welcome them into the Society. They are as follows:­

Mrs. Linda Baylis, New Zealand.           
Mrs. C. Seddon, Lees.
Mr. & Mrs. Colin Higgins, Newhouses.           
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Killan, Uppermill.
Mr. Mark Street, Chingford, London.

Our new member Mark Street brings into the Society a family from the most interesting districts of Alt, Quick, Hey, Flash and mainly Saddleworth, his family tree extending into a document 9 feet wide by 4 feet deep, so that is a large contribution to the Family History Section and most welcome. We are able to make a good contribution to his researches with a Royal connection from 1547 Page 527 from the Parish Registers of St.Chad's, Uppermill, 1613-1745 as follows:­

Thos. a479            Circa 1547    20 December.
The lease of the Tithes of the Chapel of Saddleworth, &c., granted in 1538 to Henry Packer, by the special desire of Edwd.V1., Abp.Cranmer devised the reversion of this lease to Thomas Streete, a groom of His Highness' Chamber, for 21 years, it was charged with the payment of £7 to the curate of Saddleworth, £9 is paid still to the Vicar of Rochdale -(Y.A. & T.J., vol.viii,p.16 note)

If any member has connections with the Street family Mr. Street would welcome their interest.          His address is (see newsletter) .   

Mr. Larry Sharp is having difficulty tracing his Great Grandfather John Sharpe bom Saddleworth, 1800's, d.1851 Marle Street, Oldham, Son Thomas married Sebro Wrigley, connection with 65 Moorhey Road, Oldham.            Originally the family came from Wakefield and Barnsley area. His telephone number is (see newsletter) - please ring if you can help.

Mr. Stephen R. Carr is wishing to obtain Ammon Wrigley books with the following titles

Those Were The Days.           
Old Saddleworth Days.
Saddleworth Chronological Days.  
Roman Forts at Castleshaw.
Old Lancashire Words and Folk Sayings.

Mr. Carr's telephone number is (see newsletter)

The Membership rates for the Society are as follows and may we request members who have not renewed this year please help by forwarding their Cheque with the enclosed reminder. Your membership is greatly appreciated.

Family Membership            £14.00           
Single Membership             £12.00
Retired Single & Family      £ 9.00           
Students                              £ 9.00
Overseas:    
USA & Canada.                   $40 or £15.00 Sterling.
Australia & New Zealand     £15.00 Sterling.

OBITUARY

Unfortunately, we have to record the death of a long standing member of our Society, Ronald Jackson Asquith of Brownhill, who was well known in Saddleworth as the Carpentry/Woodcraft teacher at Saddleworth School and will be remembered by many pupils.  Condolences have been extended to his brother and family

Mr. & Mrs. David Asquith and Family of Uppermill.

Another Obituary is now required to be recorded in our newsletter and a sad moment to reflect on the passing of Leonard Kidd's dear wife, Dorothy, who was a member of the Saddleworth Wood family chronicled in Leonard's notable articles published in previous Bulletins. Our sympathy has been offered to the family in their bereavement.

Jack Hindle
Oct 2005

Activities