Tuning-in to the past is a breath of fresh air

OLDHAM Community Radio 99.7fm has hosted its first summer stroll, with a two-and-a-half-hour meander around local points of interest.

Around two dozen listeners turned out to join presenters Dave McGealy and Gerald Brierley at the event, with snippets recorded on the walk broadcast live on air.

The summer stroll was the first for this season, with the popular day now in its third year.

It began at Alexandra Park for a walk around the grounds which are brimming with new growth and spring colour. Then it was on to Glodwick Lows, Abbeyhills Road and Snipe Clough.

Walkers were given a glimpse into Oldham’s history, enjoying tales of the Roughyeds’ first match, the Romans, the Oldham Daredevil and Glodwick quarry.

Topping the list of notable Oldham events was the doodlebug bomb which was dropped on Abbeyhills Road on Christmas Eve, 1944.

It killed 37 people, seriously injured 67 and damaged hundreds of homes.

The walk brought back memories for former school pals John Battersby and Gary Smith.

The 70-year-olds met for the first time after leaving Alexandra Junior School and going their separate ways. They spent the stroll swapping childhood memories.

The pair clearly remembered the day the doodlebug fell, even though they were only four-years-old at the time.

Gary, who now lives in High Crompton, said: “I lived in Waterloo Street and John lived in Chief Street.

“I heard the explosion, the blast was quite loud, and I clearly remember the doors and windows rattling.”