Historic stocks repaired

Pupils from Thorp Primary School visit the stocks outside St. Paul's Church, Royton, which have been restored by Royton Local History Society. Pic shows Oscar Bailey being bombarded by his classmates left to right, Roan Mallinson, Blake Beckman, Aimee Leigh.

ANYONE misbehaving in Royton should be aware they could face a rotten punishment as the historic town stocks have been repaired.

Royton Local History Society secured funding from the Royton Community Chest to restore the stocks at the rear of St Paul's Church after original timbers rotted away and the site became overgrown with bushes, grass and weeds.

After being granted permission from Oldham Council and the Church, society members Brian Lloyd and Phil Ellis cut back the shrubbery, fashioned new timbers and cleaned up the original stonework

The stocks are marked with JM 1777 which is believed to be the date of their construction, and over the years they would have been used as a form of punishment for people who were found guilty of minor criminal activity.

The miscreant would be locked in the stocks for a day and villagers would throw rotting vegetables at them.

Geoff Oliver, society chairman, said: "The work took several weeks to complete and the whole area has now been transformed. The society is committed to improving the knowledge of children about Royton's history and as well as giving talks in schools we do guided tours for the children to help bring history to life."

On Monday, member and local history author Frances Stott gave a guided tour to children from Thorp Primary School, Royton, which included a visit to the stocks and a demonstration of how they would have been used.

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