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Saddleworth to get its White Rose wish
Reporter: KEN BENNETT
Date online: 30 June 2009
Yorkshire’s White Rose will fly proudly over Saddleworth again — with the official blessing of Oldham Council.
New road signs approaching the area will display a distinctive emblem and read: “Welcome to Saddleworth in the historic county of York”.
But one local, who did not want to be named, said: “It could be a red rag to a Red Rose. This could give a confusing signal and look as if we are not part of the borough.”
However, Councillor Mike Buckley, the council’s heritage champion, welcomed the decision which was reached after discussions between council officials, historical societies and Saddleworth Parish Council.
Saddleworth’s White Rose credentials date back to the Norman period when it was a royal forest and formed part of the West Riding. County councils of Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire were created by a local government act in the 1880s and continued until 1974 when they were abolished by another act of parliament.
“But the act did not abolish the counties themselves or the three Yorkshire ridings,” explained Councillor Buckley, the council’s representative for Saddleworth North and a parish councillor.
“That’s why today the Lancashire part of the borough still proudly celebrates its Red Rose heritage and Saddleworth its Yorkshire history.
“Our roots and the historic identities of where we live make us what we are.”
Saddleworth parish councillor Ken Hulme said: “At long last the message has got through to the civic centre.
“Oldham has treated Saddleworth like a colony, cutting services, closing libraries, milking it for revenue and suppressing and sneering at the white rose and the parish’s historical and cultural roots.
“I hope this will herald a new approach.”
The signs are part of a wider initiative to promote awareness of the borough’s new branding and distinctive character townships.
Chadderton, Shaw and Crompton, Royton, Failsworth and Lees will follow a similar format but contain an additional strip carrying a specific emblem and words reflecting each township. Some will show historic coats of arms.
Howard Sykes, leader of the council, said: “Consultation on signs is currently still being carried out. It is important that we consult widely before any decisions are made.”
Comments
I wonder if the fact that most senior officers, and not a few councillors, live in Saddleworth has influenced this decision? Presumably they want to distance themselves as far as possible from the Borough they are milking.
It's revealing to see that such important issues as this juvenile nonsense is occupying our civic leaders' time. I would suggest there are a few Neanderthal types in Saddleworth with too much time on their hands and too little to occupy their minds. Get a life for goodness sake!
What a load of codswallop, you'd think that people would have more to worry about... stop whinging and get a life get a life
At last , good news
Would it not be better if the signs read
“Welcome to Saddleworth in the historic county of York”.
& then underneath
"You are welcome to Oldham".
Yeah OMBC worker, put us in Kirklees, we might get much better services then at no extra expense
dont you just wish we could pick the dump thats saddleworth up and move it twenty miles away far enough away so we cant hear them see them or smell them
Road Rocket - here your go again - what is it exactly that inspires your deep-rooted aversion to anything remotely related to Saddleworth - you could rejoice that local feeling is gaining the upper hand, that roots are prevailing over the MacDonald all-the-same culture, but no!! you're off on your hobby horse again. Rather than rant at people with initiative why not take some initiative of your own
Why don't the council actually spend the taxpayer’s money on something of value? I now have to wait two weeks to get my dustbin emptied because I refused to become an un-paid rubbish sorter for the council who I pay ridiculous amount money to for a pathetic service designed by people with no intelligence.
potsandpans: Oh dear, I seem to have ruffled your feathers somewhat. I am entitled to my opinion just as you are. I just happen to think there are many better things to occupy the civic leaders and indeed the cost of such puerile silliness as this. Over past 28 years I have actually improved many aspects of Saddleworth with my own initiative but I do find some of the 'Yorkshire is best' to be rather pathetic.
Wow! Can see the national press assocation picking this story up soon...top news story!!! Can't wait for the follow up...
Great news. It's finally been accepted that Saddleworth has always been in Yorkshire. Nevertheless, all Saddleworthians will be aware that we still live in the borough of Oldham. After all, we pay most of its council tax!
Councillor Hulme and all others of like mind should stop talking utter tripe, if Yorkshire wanted you, you would have been back in the fold already. Unfortunately for the rest of Oldham it looks like we are stuck with you. Give it a rest and concentrate on real issues that actually have an effect on people's lives.
Have Your Say
Can the rest of the borough have red roses on their Welcome signs or better still offload Saddleworth to Yorkshire complete with it's problematic drainage and road maintenance problems. More money can be spent on the rest of the borough then.
“Oldham has treated Saddleworth like a colony, cutting services, closing libraries, milking it for revenue",all the districts get this treatment
By OMBCworker @ 30/06/2009 12:08:17