Dead interesting tales of heritage

A trio of First World War heroes, a founder of the Oldham Royal Infirmary and an early supporter of Oldham Athletic are united in death at Greenacres Cemetery.

And later this month Oldham people will be able to learn about the history of Oldham’s oldest municipal burial sites and some of the famous people interred there.

It is part of Oldham’s Heritage Open Days, between September 11 and 14, when the doors and gates of some of the borough’s most significant and historic buildings are thrown open.

Oldham Council is taking part in the annual event, part of a national initiative by the Civic Trust.

And new additions this year are Greenacres and Chadderton cemeteries, and the chance to see a loop of some of Oldham’s oldest photos, which will be played at the Local Studies and Archive centre on Union Street.

Roger Ivens, the Oldham archivist, will lead the Greenacres Cemetery tours.

Greenacres and Chadderton were built because the town’s churchyards were running out of burial space as Oldham’s boom years began in the 19th century. Both were consecrated in 1857.

The graves include Sgt John Clegg who died at Gallipoli in 1915, his brother James, killed in 1915, and Lt Hamer Clegg , their cousin, who also died at Gallipoli. They all served in the Manchester Regiment.

Also buried are Sir George William Needham who contributed to the Royal Infirmary fund in memory of his son, killed in the First World War, and Thomas Coates JP, who was president of Oldham Athletic before his death in 1914.

Roger Ivens will give a talk about them all, and many other famous and notable people buried at Greenacres Cemetery, at 2.30 pm, on September 11, 12 and 13.

There will also be tours of Chadderton Cemetery at 10am and 2pm on September 13.

Other open days are at Alexandra Park, the Castleshaw Roman Forts at Delph, Foxdenton Hall, Chadderton, and Saddleworth Museum.

Churches opening their doors are Christ Church, Friezland, St Margaret of Antioch, Hollinwood, St Anne’s, Lydgate, St Chad’s, Uppermill, St Mark’s, Heyside, and Oldham Parish Church.

A leaflet outlining the Heritage Open Days is available from Oldham libraries.