Giant is reunited with family members

The Oldham Giant with family members John Scholes, Debbie Scholes, Tom Scholes-Fogg and, front, Amelia Scholes

THE Oldham Giant was reunited with four generations of his family as part of the Illuminate event.

Family members John Scholes, Debbie Scholes, Tom Scholes-Fogg and Amelia Scholes travelled to Oldham to see the amazing five-metre-tall puppet first hand and meet Oldham's council leader Jean Stretton.

The spectacular puppet is based on the legend of the Oldham Giant, Joseph Scholes, a local man was said to have been around 6ft 7in tall and 37 stones when he died in 1814.

Known as a "gentle giant", Joseph Scholes spoke up for apprentices who were recruited from the workhouse and found themselves bullied and underfed by weavers.

He is buried in the crypt at Oldham Parish Church.

Tom Scholes-Fogg, the Oldham Giant's sixth great-grandson said: "My family and I are so pleased with the Illuminate event and we thank Councillor Stretton, her officers, the volunteers, and all those who helped build Joseph for the work they have done to keep Big Dody's memory alive.

He said special thanks must be given to the puppet designer.

"From Joseph's time as governor of the Oldham workhouse to him preventing a potentially deadly attack on Methodist preachers, his work and story continues to fascinate us.

"I know that the entire Scholes family are very proud of him, and we are equally as proud that his story continues to be heard today thanks to events held by Oldham Council and Oldham Parish Church."