Last dig for Doug

DOUG at the site of a Sixteenth century window which was unearthed during one of the three hugely successful excavations of Royton Hall

THE chairman of a popular local history which has been instrumental in shedding light on Royton’s past has stepped down after six years in the post.

Doug Ashmore helped to form the Royton Local History Society in 2002 and he has it grow into a success story during his years at the helm.

One of its greatest achievements has been the three-year excavation of Royton Hall, which garnered the society a Marsh Archaeology award and gave countless local schoolchildren and residents the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get involved in an archaeological dig.

Vice-chairman John Crothers said: “The society owes a great debt to Doug for his inspiration, drive and sheer hard work and we all hope that he will continue to serve as a committee member for many years to come.”

Replacing Mr Ashmore is Geoff Oliver, who has already played a huge part in the work of the society by putting together the DVDs which chronicle the dig at Royton Hall.

Mr Ashmore said: “I have been really knocked out by the generosity of some of the comments people have made about my leadership, but I would like to return the thanks by saying that I could not have done it without the enduring commitment of the other members of the society and everyone who has supported us.

“I’m leaving the society in extremely capable hands under the leadership of Geoff Oliver and both me and my wife, Marjorie, who is also stepping down as the membership secretary, will continue as members of the committee and will carry on holding talks locally.

“We just felt that now is the right time to pass the baton to someone younger. I’m in perfectly good health, but I’m not a young man any more and I’m happy to step back.”

Mr Ashmore said that his greatest memory of his time at the helm is the Royton dig, because it brought home to residents and schoolchildren alike the importance of nurturing our history.

He said: “By inviting the local schoolchildren to the dig we have given them an experience that they are never going to forget and they will remember that all the days of their life.”



::NEW members are welcome at Royton Local History Society, which meets on the second Monday of the month at Downey House in Church Street, Royton.

There is a different guest speaker each month giving talks on various historical subjects..Visit its website at www.roytonlocalhistorysociety.co.uk or phone secretary Jess Wild on: 652 9049 for more details.