H/FGB F.G. Battye Collection
Councillor F.G. Battye, J.P., of Dobcross New Road, Dobcross, was a Labour member of Saddleworth Council for 14 years and held various offices in the Colne Valley and Saddleworth Labour Party; he was also an active member of many committees and organisations, including the Yorkshire Wool Research Council. A local man, he joined the Saddleworth & District Weavers’ and Woollen Textile Workers’ Association in 1934 as a collector/organiser and became Secretary in 1947. He died on December 31st, 1972 at the age of 66.
The collection was presented by his executors.
1. Saddleworth & Mossley Chronicle. Local news, severe weather, history of Wharmton by H. Bateson. 6.2.1955
2. Hand-bell ringing contests at Belle-Vue, Manchester, Saddleworth winners 1914 1885-1921
3. Saddleworth Musical Festival, programme. 1910
4. Bransby Williams’ Recitations. Booklet
5. Brass Band contests at Belle Vue, Manchester. List of prize winners from commencement 1853-1937
6. Song – Friezland Ale.
7. Copy of “Bonnie Greenfilt”: Radcliffe & Whitehead.
8. Copy of “Jone o’ Grenfilt”: Lees.
Albums of items numbered 9–91 and 103–106. Contents include photographs of people, buildings and places in Saddleworth, a typed account of land conveyances in Friarmere, a brief history of Saddleworth & District Weavers’ Union and some history of Castleshaw School.
9. Hand-bell ringers, group.
9a. F.G. Battye.
10. Hand-bell ringers, group.
11. Saddleworth hand-bell ringers, named. Winning team at Belle Vue contest (newsclip). 1914
12. The old bridge, Uppermill.
13. Mr. Pownell, hand-bell ringers’ leader, photographed outside his shop.
14. Mrs Tyass outside her shop (note says shop is now Co-op Greengrocers).
15. Group outside St. Chad’s, Uppermill.
16. Group of soldiers, Red Cross nurses and others outside a church.
17. Saddleworth Church
18. Saddleworth Church
19. Ebenezer School with children and teachers. Early 20thc.
20. Queen Mother’s message to the nation (Alexandra) on the death of the King.
21. Dinner group photograph (British Legion?) on 25th June. Location and year not stated.
22. Two ladies with nanny in a pram early c20th.
23. Saddleworth Church.
24. Construction gang in a tunnel (signed Ernest Milner)
25. Coronation festivities, Dobcross 1911
26. Coronation festivities, Dobcross 1911
27a. Coronation festivities, Dobcross 1911
27b. Coronation festivities, Dobcross 1911
28 Group outside a mill. (note states Delph mill burned ?1907) early 20thc.
29 Group photo of Saddleworth Hand-bell ringers with names. Winners of Jubilee Cup (information also given in other successes) 1914
30. Group photo of Saddleworth Hand-bell ringers with names. Winners of 2nd division of Yorks Hand-Bell Association. 1912
31. The Park, Uppermill c1930
31a. New Delph from Wall Hill
32. Grove View Vicarage, Delph.
33. New Delph
34. King Street, Delph
35. Rough Meadow Head, Delph.
36. Eagle Mill, Delph (in rain)
37. Delph School
38. Gatehead house, Delph
39. The Sound, Delph
40. Wesleyan Church, Delph.
41. Grains Road, Delph.
42. Castle Hill, Delph.
43. Thurston Clough Road, Delph
44. Bonfire on Delph Hill (Silver Jubilee of George V) 1935
45. Swan Meadow, Delph.
46. Group (cricketers) at Rasping Mill
47. Castleshaw
48. Fishing at Castleshaw.
49. Childrens’ Home, Castleshaw.
50. Brookland Lodge, Slackcote.
51 Dobcross 5 views.
52 Dobcross Prize Band Winners of Dr. Fawsitt Cup & Oldham Chronicle Cup. 1931
53. Dobcross Boy’s Brigade, Group.
54. Greenfield 8 views.
55. Wharmton Mountain, Greenfield
56. Boarshurst Silver Prize Band.
57. Banks Hudson pianist and auctioneer outside the Co-op, Delph.
58. Two people, Horse and trap.
59. House, man, boy and dog.
60. House and woman.
61. Sound, Delph.
62. Jonnie Hill crossing the moor.
63. Jonnie Hill ? and dog.
64. Dropping Well, Grange, Delph.
65. Dropping Well, Grange, Delph.
66. Pingle Dam. 1930
67. Denshaw, Good Friday 1926
68. Denshaw. 1930
69. Hanson, Delph. 1930
70a. Rams Clough (x4 a-d) 1930
71. Lumb Mill, Delph. 1930
72. Lychgate, Delph. 1930
73. Brooklands Lodge, Delph. 1930
74a&b. Delph Mill (steam). 1930
75. Sound, Delph. 1930
76. Knarr. 1930
77. Pingle Brook. 1930
78. Sodom, Delph. 1930
79. Delph Mill (stream). 1930
80. Green Bottoms. 1930
81. Fiddler John, with spinning wheel and reel (see item 128)
82. Holmfirth. 1931
83. View (no detail)
84. Bonfire on Delph Hill. 1935
85. Shack (no detail)
86. Waterfall (no detail).
87. View – (no detail).
88. View – (no detail).
89. View – (no detail).
90. View – (no detail).
91. St. Chads, Saddleworth Church.
See later for items 92–102
103. Brief account of transfer of Hillbrightope in Friarmere to the Crown in 1538 and then to Arthur Assheton and Roger Gartside
104. Brief history of Saddleworth & District Woolen Weavers’ Association.
105. Dobcross – As I remembered it 70 years ago. (Typed copy of newspaper article).
106(1). Information on history of Castleshaw School – letter from A.B. Clegg, Education Officer, West Riring of Yorkshire. 1970
106(2). Newsclip photograph of Castleshaw School which Ammon Wrigley attended.
106 (3). Letter by G.E. Buckley in newsclip – “Castleshaw school: the history”
92. “Oldham Through the Centuries”
Comprises illustrated historical notes reprinted from the Oldham Chronicle, Nov. 1947-Dec. 1948. Oldham centenary of
incorporation as a borough was celebrated on June 13th, 1949. booklet
93. Chapelry & Church of Saddleworth by A.J. Howcroft.
94. Hand-loom weaving, booklet by F. J. Christopher, Foyles Handbooks. 1951
95. The Hugenot Ancestry of the Mallalieus of Saddleworth,
by D.F.E. Skyes, L.L.B. with separate “Table of Descent” from 1584. published. 1920
96. Booklets (16 parts), Dorothy’s Choice, by D.F.E. Skyes, L.L.B., subtitled, “A Rushing of Mighty Waters”
97. Booklets (16 parts) Miriam : A tale of Pole Moor
and the Greenfield Hills, by D.F.E. Skyes, L.L.B. 1912
98. Cotton, wool and silk mills in Saddleworth (60).
Postcards give names and limited information.
99. Compilation of food prices. 1930’s
100. Rules of the Dobcross Money Club, with names of Trustees and signatures of members. 1858
101.
102. Voluntary Education in England. Account of lecture by
Mr. Edward Baines, Jun ; in Supplement to the Leeds Mercury.
107. Quarries in Saddleworth; includes names, owners, types of stone
and some of the buildings made.
108. Sites of mills in Saddleworth. List of mill names, ‘key’ numbered to allow identification on a map prepared by Saddleworth Historical Society.
Differentiates woollen, cotton and other ‘types’ of mills.
109. Typed copy of a letter to the Ratepayers of Saddleworth from a Ratepayer, objecting to the appointment of
a paid collector – Poor Law Guardians. 1830?
110. Typed copy of Fire Insurance Certificate for John Gartside, Delph. Gives some mill and machinery details.
From the Buckey Papers. 1812–13
111. Picture of Lancashire spinner (hand-wheel) at work. From the Manchester Guardian. 3.11.1932
112. Picture of a Roman bridge at Blacksone Edge. From Manchester Guardian. 11.8.1932
113. Old building at Nicker Brow, Dobcross, smithy of Platt, father of three Platt brothers (famous as makers of textile machinery).
114. Cottage woollen industry in Saddleworth and its demise.
Article Oldham Chronicle 15.2.1964 & 22.2.1964
115(1). Discussion on origins of place-names in Austerlands. Article Oldham Chronicle 20.4.1963
115(2). Saddleworth during the French Revolution. Prosperity, then hard times, some information on mills, politics and workhouse.
Article Oldham Chronicle by H. Bateson.
115(3). Account of life of John Howard Nodal, Manchester, 1831-1909, journalist and authority on English dialects. Newsclip article.
116. Dr. Albert Mansbridge, pioneer of adult education and first secretary of Workers’ Educational Association Account
career of, from Church Times 29.8.1952 1952
117. Picture of Fairbottom Bobs and its keeper Newcomen engine of 1705 at Parkbridge.
Article Oldham Chronicle 13.3.1954
118. Alkrington “out and About”, article from Oldham Chronicle.18.3.1961
119. Education in Saddleworth, includes names of school and schoolmasters. Letter by H. Bateson in Oldham Chronicle. 3.11.1962
120(1) Railway travel in Saddleworth – proposed closure of stations.
Oldham Chronicle. 20.4.1963
120(2). French Dye Works, Greenfield – closure.
120(3). Saddleworth Council’s new Clerk – Mr. C. Barton
Both from Oldham Chronicle
121. Dobcross Inns, Newsclip letter by E. L. Edwards 18.9.1965
122. Newsclip account of correspondence of Mr. E.L. Edwards with Battyes. Includes biographical information and
historical data on Saddleworth mills, including silk, and connection with France.
123. Letter from Miss A. Shead on namesake towns, Saddleworth, Yorks. & S. Australia. 1952
124. Mss. notes on Saddleworth Schools.
125. Walker Battye business card – carpets, rugs, etc.
126. Correspondence on Diggle Waterwheel, in Saddleworth & Mossley Chronicle Jan.1967
127. Two Inns at Dobcross details by E.L. Edwards in letter to newspaper. April 1967
128. Photo of Jack Schofield (Post Jack) at wheel and reel Bankfield Mill.
129. Note by F.G. Battye on Friarmere Tithes.
See later for items 130 and 131
132. Dobcross, Swan Inn datestone, letter to editor (Oldham Chronicle?) by H. Bateson 25.8.1945
133. Interpretation of datestone (item 132) and further information on Swan Inn, including true name and Masonic connections.
From letters to editor (Oldham Chronicle?) by A.W. and G.G.H 1.9.1945
134. Interpretation of datestone (item 132) and further information on Swan Inn, including true name and Masonic connections.
Letter to editor (Oldham Chronicle) by I.G. Hewkin 8.9.1945
135(1) Dobcross Parish Church Magazine, attack on Clr. Charlesworth. June 1935
135(2). Oldham Chronicle report of attack on Clr. Charlesworth. 8.6.1935
136. Dobcross Parish Church Magazine, memories of F.G. Battye, associated with church for over 50 years. Aug.1967
137. The Wheatsheaf (Saddleworth Co-op Societies) magazine, contains letter from F.G. Battye, “Where are we drifting?” March 1935
138. Map of Saddleworth.
139. Mr. A.E.P. Duffy, M.P. for Colne Valley – lecture to W.E. Association in Uppermill on regional economics
related to Saddleworth. Oldham Chronicle. 7.2.1966
140(1). The Saddleworth Union 1827-30. Brief history with sources.
140(2). James Wood, baker – some family details
140(3). An Outline of the Industrial History of Saddleworth typed with brief notes.
141. Newsclips re: Ammon Wrigley. Man. Guardian. 3.4.1936
142(a,b,c,d). Newspaper accounts of three girls lost for 4 days on Greenfield moors. Dec.1935
143(1 & 2) Newsclips on activities of W.E.A. in Saddleworth.
144. Newsclips on the rates imposed for reservoirs in Saddleworth
145. Letter to editor on lobbying councillors and prominent people for jobs. Oldham Chronicle.
146. Poem – Sunset, by A.J. Howcroft : newsclip.
147. Letter to editor by F.G. Battye re : quality and choice of books in local libraries – newsclip.
148. Letter to editor by F.G. Battye and B. Dransfield on Air Raid Protection.
149. Winter in Dobcross – reproduction in Oldham Chronicle of drawing by Mr. J. Whitehead, Tamewater. 7.3.1936
150. Clip from Oldham Chronicle – heights of various points in Saddleworth. 1932
151(a). Report of return home of Dr. H. Ramsden after world tour, with photo. (former Saddleworth Med. Off. of Health).
Oldham Chronicle. 8.6.1935
151(b). Letter to editor of Oldham Chronicle by I. Charlesworth, Diggle, replying to Clr. J. Gretton’s “Outline of Socialism” 8.6.1935
152. Oldham Chronicle – results of peace ballot 9.1.1935
153. Oldham Chronicle article (with photo) on F.G. Battye and H.S. Lee celebrating 25 years service as officials of
Saddleworth & District Weavers Union. 10.10.1959
See later for items 154–163
164. Poem – Friarmere C.C. 1893 by G.W.B. With note by F.G. Battye – “For many long hours he kept bowlers at bay “
165. Poem – “Mi Owd Schoomestur “ (Mr. H. Davies), by H.B. Whitehead,
Glebe Cottage, Uppermill.
166. Newspaper article, brief details of down-and-outs in Manchester.
167. Betty of Friar’s Cross – A Saddleworth Story. Oldham Chronicle account of reading by Mr. A.J. Howcroft to the Wesley Guild, Greenfield. 11.3.1913
168. Train crash at Diggle – account and photographs (5) Daily Dispatch. 6.7.1923
169. Mill hours in 1849 – breaking of law locally, article by A. Wrigley in Oldham Chronicle. 18.7.1936
170. Tribute to Greenfield poet, late H.B. Whitehead, by Vera Winterbottom, Oldham Chronicle.
171. History and picture of Whams House, Springhead, with references to James Lees of Shelderslow, James Buckley
of Tunstead and also Annie Kenny of Women’s suffrage fame. Oldham Chronicle. 18.2.1967
130. Poetry book – “Leaves from a Notebook“ by Charles Ramsden. 1921
131. Wrigley Mill Wesleyan Chapel & Sunday School, Diggle, Jubilee Souvenir booklet, includes history. 1864 – 1914
154. Saddleworth floods. Oldham Chronicle supplement reporting storm of 30.5.1964
155. National Budget details – News Chronicle 1959
156. National Budget details – Daily Herald 1959
157. Last issue of the Daily Herald. 14.9.1964
158. Map of Denshaw, etc. (copy)
159. Ordnance Survey SD9809/9909 Castleshaw, Delph Ward, etc. copy
160. Ordnance Survey map, sheet SD90 NE, Delph, Dobcross, Waterhead. 1956
161. Map Yorkshire (West Riding) Sheet CCLIX. SW. Second Edition 1908. Castleshaw Moor. 1908
162. Map. Edition of 1933, Wharmton–Greenfield reservoir.
Yorks sheet CCLXXI. SW. and part of Lancs. Sheets XCVII and XCVIIA. 1933
163. Map. New Delph–Greenfield Hall Quarries. Yorks Sheet CCLXXI. NW. Edition 1933
172. Correspondence of F.G. Battye with E.L. Edwards largely comprising historical enquiries related to Saddleworth.
Folio No.1. Items 1–82 1952-63
Folio No.2. Items 83–173 1964-72
The letters are numbered individually and catalogued.
