Playing fields get royal protection

PLAYING fields in Failsworth and Saddleworth are set to get royal protection when they are renamed in honour of the Queen.

Residents have been trying for more than two years to safeguard the green space at Warwick Road in Failsworth.

Now, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the land will serve to mark the historic occasion and become known as the Queen Elizabeth II Field (Failsworth). Also set to be bestowed with the honour as part of the Fields In Trust scheme are the Churchill Playing Fields in Greenfield.

Currently undergoing a radical drainage overhaul, the area will become known as the Churchill Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields once dedicated.

Oldham Council nominated the two valued areas of land for the status that aims to permanently protect the chosen areas for recreational and community use. This will then act as a permanent legacy of the Queen’s milestone.

Work to update the Saddleworth fields with £411,000 of funding has recently been delayed because of heavy rain.

However the arrival of glorious sunshine means work will restart shortly in the hope that the time can be clawed back.

Land at the Warwick Road site had previously been suggested for a land swap for charitable trust status with land to the north of the Lancaster Club, off Broadway, before plans to build Latics’ stadium in Failsworth fell through.

Residents who formed a friends group for the fields requested that the land be nominated by the council for QE II status and will now host a dedication ceremony in celebration. The party will be staged between on Sunday, June 3 (1-5pm), when a new plaque will be unveiled.