Historic sign of the times

HERITAGE signs marking Failsworth’s historic centre are on display — 18 months after they were ordered.

The signs were part of a wider plan which saw funding from the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) scheme and housing development money used for projects such as paving in Main Street.

Failsworth East councillor Jim McMahon, who fought for the funding, said the signs were in stark contrast to the ‘ghastly’ signs outside Chadderton Town Hall.

He said: “These are excellent quality and really make a difference. They have the original Failsworth crest which has been hand painted and look great.

“There has been a pole of one sort or another on the same site since the 1700s and the fifth pole which we see today stands together with the bronze Ben Brierley statue marking the historic centre of Failsworth.”

He added: “This is the style and quality we should be aiming for across the borough, traditional signs which match our history.

“This is in stark contrast to the ghastly council branded sign outside Chadderton Town Hall, one of our borough’s most prized buildings.”

John Crompton, chairman of the Failsworth Historical Society , said: “These are a real asset to the conservation area and make a statement that we are proud of our heritage.

“We must now take enforcement action on unsympathetic renovations which have taken place on some of our important local buildings, such as the birthplace of Ben Brierley.”