Proud to be in Yorkshire

Saddleworth Parish Council Chairman Bill Cullen puts the wreath on Ammon Wrigley

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WHITE roses bloomed proud in Saddleworth as hundreds declared their Yorkshire roots.

Villagers paraded through Uppermill’s high street, finally congregating on the village playing field to celebrate Yorkshire Day

In bright sunshine, Gilbert Symes, a Delph brass bandsman, launched the event by reading the Yorkshire “declaration of integrity” to a crowd gathered at the statue of Ammon Wrigley, the legendary local poet and writer, at Saddleworth museum.

The Saddleworth White Rose Society member, said: “On my birth certificate it reads I am from the county of York and this is where I am born and bred.

“Saddleworth is still in Yorkshire and always will be.”

Saddleworth was part of the West Riding County Council until the villages were included in the Oldham Borough Council area in 1973.

The event yesterday, which included a country fair, was organised by a special committee striving to keep the heritage alive.

Gilbert (65), of Delph, who is not a committee member, added by saying: “It’s important to us, just as it for some Lancastrians.

“What was created in 1973 was the introduction of administrative counties. The boundaries were never changed so Saddleworth is in Yorkshire and Oldham is in Lancashire.”