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‘Fossilised relic’ fears if St Chad’s Church £1million campaign fails
A SUCCESSFUL appeal to raise £1 million could transform a holy club into “a vibrant and inspiring meeting place” says a senior Saddleworth spiritual leader.…
Shaw HELL Bank Road Homes plan gets green light despite opposition
By Charlotte Green- Local Democracy Reporter OLDHAM planners have been accused of ‘concreting over our community’ after giving permission for the Shaw Hall Bank Road…
Judicial review challenge to housing development?
A GROUP of Greenfield residents is considering a court challenge to Oldham planners’ decision to grant approval for a luxury 20-home development on land off…
Staff threatened with knife at bookies in Oldham
DID you witness a robbery in the Oldham area? At around 10:20pm on Wednesday 13 March 2019, a man walked into the Paddy Power on…
Final reminder: Register to vote in Local Elections
DON’T forget to register to vote to ensure you can have your say in May’s local elections The borough will go to the polls on…
17-year-old charged following stabbing in Oldham
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with assault and possession of an offensive weapon following an incident in Failsworth on the evening of Wednesday 3…
Sport View More
Landmark 60 years for Diggle FC
DIGGLE Football Club, reformed in 1959 after Diggle AFC disbanded in 1955, celebrates a landmark 60th birthday in 2019. And to mark the momentous occasion,…
Treble Reunion: Class of ‘92 surprise Waterhead young footballers ahead of Old Trafford comeback
YOUNGSTERS from Waterhead Academy, taking part in an inter-schools football tournament, were given a surprise when they were joined by members of Manchester United’s iconic…
Saddleworth’s Olivia tipped for success
SADDLEWORTH School’s Olivia Forster is hoping to slam dunk her way to the top in basketball. The 13-year-old from Watersheddings has dreams of playing for…
Yasmin stars as England U17s win Netball Europe
GRASSCROFT’S Yasmin Roebuck helped England to a clean sweep of wins as they retained their Netball Europe U17 Championship. Yasmin, 16, starred in the victories…
Basketballers bring home bronze for Saddleworth
SADDLEWORTH School’s year nine basketball team, as Oldham champions, represented the town in the finals of the Greater Manchester Schools’ Championship. And they achieved further…
Newly-promoted Rangers held to draw after promising start at Myton
NEWLY-PROMOTED Saddleworth Rangers were left kicking themselves after being held to a 24-24 draw at Myton Warriors in their opening National Conference League, division one…
Lifestyle View More
Donkeys help bring new Palm Sunday tradition to Uppermill
A NEW tradition for Palm Sunday in Saddleworth began this Easter with the help of two donkeys. The loveable duo, Slim and Shandy, accompanied the…
Vito makes the cut at dog show
A TALENTED dog and his owner from Greenfield are celebrating after making the ‘cut’ at his first ever show. Gundog Vito and Nicky Porisse were…
Easter treat in store for charity and raffle winner thanks to Well Pharmacy Uppermill
THERE is an Easter treat in store for one lucky winner as well as a boost for charity Marie Curie thanks to Well Pharmacy in…
Volunteers wanted for next canal clean up
DEDICATED volunteers are co-ordinating their efforts to clean up canal towpaths in Dobcross and Uppermill. The next project day is on Saturday, April 27. Meet…
Albania beckons for hospice trekkers
FRANCIS House Children’s Hospice is seeking adventurous walkers to sign up for an unforgettable overseas trip and help raise funds to support children and young…
Greenfield company’s competition helps groups clean up community
LOCAL projects aiming to tidy up the community have the chance to win a helping hand from Greenfield company Robert Scott. The fourth generation, family-owned…
Entertainment View More
Award-winning Visitors to come to Oldham Coliseum
A COMPASSIONATE and wryly comic love story which depicts the indiscriminate effects of dementia will tug at the heart-strings at Oldham Coliseum this month. Barney…
Cracking time in store on Easter Eggspress!
HAVE a cracking time aboard the Kirklees Light Railway’s Easter Eggspress, travelling by steam train to meet the Easter Bunny! The clumsy bunny has dropped…
Celebrity jewellery maker to teach course in Uppermill
MANCHESTER designer Julia Roy Williams will be running a contemporary jewellery-making course at the Weavers Factory in Uppermill on Saturday May 18th and Sunday May…
All aboard for freedom and adventure as Mikron Theatre drops anchor in Delph
A NEW play dedicated to the Women’s Royal Naval Service – affectionately known as the Wrens – drops anchor at Millgate Arts Centre, Delph on…
Grenadier Guards ready for unique march in Uppermill
UPPERMILL will welcome the Band of the Grenadier Guards in style when they make a special visit this month. The 35-strong band, which performs around…
MAODS drop everything for The Full Monty
THE 1997 British film was a smash hit, and the musical version of The Full Monty will bring the same touching storyline and laughs to…
Business View More
Finalists unveiled ahead of annual business awards
THE FINALISTS in the running to win prestigious accolades at this year’s Oldham Business Awards have been unveiled. The winners will be announced at a…
Hartley Botanic partners with RHS to find school gardeners of the year
TALENTED young gardeners can help win their schools a greenhouse worth up to £10,000 thanks to a competition between a top local manufacturer and the…
2019 sees the Elgin Hotel celebrate its jubilee year
2019 marks 50 years of the Seddon family owning and running the Elgin Hotel in Blackpool. To say a lot has change in the last…
Veganism isn’t just for January, it is all year long at the Old Bell
WHERE can vegans go to experience fine dining in Saddleworth? In the case of Iain Blackwood-Hobbs, the Independent’s own vegan champion, not too far from…
Aspect IT: Three ways in which SMEs can modernise their business
By Danielle Skinner, Marketing Executive at Aspect IT TECHNOLOGY and the way we use it is continually changing. Businesses should look to new technological trends to see…
Youth View More
Cubs all set to try Caroline’s new Nordic challenge
A THRIVING cub pack has been introduced to a new challenge towards achieving two coveted activity badges. Youngsters from 23rd Oldham Greenfield St. Mary’s recently…
Diggle scarecrow trail is a big hit!
DIGGLE’S first ever scarecrow trail has already attracted plenty of attention and caught the eye of the Independent. Organised by Friends of Diggle School (FODS)…
BA pilot inspires pupils at Friezland Primary as part of Oldham Pledge
By Liam Brown THERE was excitement right the way through from take-off to landing as an exciting aviation workshop came to Friezland Primary School. Pupils from…
Wash and go Wembley beckons for Diggle School youngsters
YOUNGSTERS at Diggle Primary School set themselves a fund-raising goal as part of their road to Wembley experience. Around 50 pupils have signed up for…
Holy Trinity Dobcross is excited to expand with new pre-school
EXCITEMENT is in the air for both pupils and staff at Holy Trinity CE Dobcross School as they look forward to the opening of their…
Backing for the Futures – new school to be built in Greenfield
A “Forever home” in Saddleworth for pupils with autism has received the green light from Oldham Council’s planning committee. Councillors unanimously agreed plans to provide…
