Author: Trevor Baxter

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   WATERWAYS and wellbeing charity, the Canal & River Trust, has launched a campaign to recruit more volunteers to take on the iconic role of lock keeper. And one of the roles will be helping at Diggle Lock Flight on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Diggle locks With coronavirus restrictions…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   GREENFIELD Library could be poised to re-open after 14 months in lockdown. The Independent together with pressure from political parties has urged Oldham Council to allow residents back into the building on Chew Vale. Greenfield is the only Saddleworth library, and one of the last in the borough,…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   VILLAGERS are urged to use Dobcross’s last shop and Post Office or risk losing both. On the second anniversary of taking over both entities, postmaster Brian Hodgkinson has confirmed he may call time on his “social experiment” due to falling trade. Brian says shop turnover is 50 percent…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   A VICTORIAN church that underwent a Millennium makeover as part of its new calling is up for sale. Saint Paul’s Church at Scouthead received a multi-million pound renovation in the years following its closure as a place of worship in 2004. The imposing building on Huddersfield Road re-opened…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   RAIL campaigners have been left frustrated and disappointed by the lack of progress on electrification and general improvements at Greenfield Station. Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has also expressed her anger at Greenfield being ignored in the upgrade works once again. Recently the Government announced…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   A SPRINGHEAD road has become the latest in Saddleworth to benefit from becoming a lower speed zone. Following the designation of 20mph limits in villages across the parish, Den Lane has now been included in the initiative. It follows a residents’ petition to Oldham Council and further input…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   A hairdressing salon established in Springhead before World War Two has been sold subject to contract. The well-known premises of Doris & Joan on Oldham Road was recently marketed as a three-bedroomed cottage for £150,000 with prospective buyers advised of cash offers only. Doris & Joan, Springhead The…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   A GROUP of Mossley-based artists is celebrating the lifting of lockdown by hosting a summer exhibition at Woodend Mill later this month. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27 (from 10am-4pm), the collective invite the public to celebrate a return to their level three creative…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   A BROKEN garden ornament, a slab of polystyrene and 10 bags of rubbish were collected by volunteers during a recent litter pick in Uppermill. Organised as part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign and despite their haul, the group from Uppermill Community Action Network (UCAN)…

First published in the Saddleworth Independent   A GRATEFUL hill walker, who survived a horror fall on Saddleworth moors, recalled the drama as he said ‘thank you’ to the men who helped save his life. Dad-of-three Imran Choudhury spent nearly two months in hospital from injuries sustained in a near 100-foot drop from a first-time…