Lady in White?

Werneth Park is very, very old. There have been a lot of stories about ghosts in the park grounds over the years.

To delve deeper, I interviewed a mystery member of the community, who for reasons unknown, would not disclose his name.

He told me that he had been walking down Werneth Hall Road towards the park, at 12:15 am. This in itself was not unusual. What he saw however was.

Our mystery man claims to have seen a lady, wearing all white and laughing very loudly. She walked straight into the park, unaware of the man’s presence. The gentleman was very scared –since then he has never walked towards Werneth Park late at night.

Our interviewee was certainly moved; but who could this strange apparition be?

Werneth Park House was built in around 1849, by Eli Lees. The house was for his son, who in turn gave it to his daughter. Margery Lees presented the grounds, known as Werneth Park, to the people of Oldham in 1936 in gratitude for happy times spent there. Mrs Dorothy Macaulay their Granddaughter also gave her share of this property to the town. Werneth Park was presented as a study centre for citizens in 1938. It is now called the Lifelong Learning Centre, and adults come to study part time courses for example in Computer skills, English, Maths and Fitness. It offers a good variety of courses for adults to gain more knowledge, confidence and let’s not forget a certificate!

People from any background can come and join these courses, and some of them are free! They help people get back into work and those who are already working to improve their skills.

Werneth Park also entertains by holding Fun Fairs and Sports for School Holidays, for children to come and enjoy. In the building there is a lovely café to enjoy your hot drink and maybe get a snack.

So, was it the ghost of Marjory Lees, laughing away whilst out for a walk, thinking of all the people her inheritance has helped or entertained? If it was, then I for one am glad that she is pleased.