Oldham
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Oldham is a town in North West England, on the north-eastern edge of the Greater Manchester conurbation. Traditionally part of Lancashire, it began as a mill town, and is most recently well-known for inter-racial problems. It is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.
Oldham could become the largest town in the United Kingdom not to have a conventional railway station, if a planned extension of the Metrolink replaces rail services in the town. However, the funding for the extension is now in doubt.
Oldham has a large Asian population, with active Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani communities.
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History
While Oldham's history can be traced back to the 11th century, it was the Industrial Revolution -- and cotton in particular -- that laid the foundations for the town's prosperity. By the end of the 19th century Oldham was recognised as one of the most productive cotton-spinning towns in the world. At the peak of the town's cotton industry, over 360 mills were operational, with over 10% of the world's cotton spinning taking place in a single town; the last cotton mill closed in the mid-1990s, and redundant mills are now a dominant feature of the town's landscape. The town also lead in the production of cotton-manufacturing machinery, with Platt Brothers exporting equipment throughout the then British Empire.
The town's Latin motto is sapere aude - "Dare to be wise" which belonged to bishop Hugh Oldham.
In 1900, Winston Churchill was elected Oldham member of Parliament. He held the constituency for the conservatives until 1904.
Albert Pierrepoint, the famous 20th Century public executioner, ran a pub in Manchester Road, Oldham named "Help The Poor Struggler".
From 1963 to 1965, the town was overshadowed by the terrible Moors Murders whose victims were buried on nearby Saddleworth Moor.
The world's first test tube baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in Royal Oldham Hospital on 25 July 1978.
Culture
Theatre
The town is home to the Oldham Coliseum Theatre.
Music
Artists/bands to emenate from Oldham include Inspiral Carpets, N-Trance and Mark Owen.
People
Past
- Opera singer Dame Eva Turner
- Oldham was the birthplace of the composer William Walton.
Present
- Actor Anne Kirkbride
- Artist Helen Bradley
- The comedy actors Dora Bryan and Bernard Cribbins
- Comedy double act Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball
- TV Presenter Philip Schofield
- Comedian Eric Sykes
- Actor Shobna Gulati
Sport
The town is home to many teams : Oldham Athletic F.C. (football), Oldham Roughyeds (Rugby League), and Oldham Cricket Club.
Schools
- The Blue Coat School
- Crompton House
- Hulme Grammar School
- Saddleworth School
- The Radclyffe School [1] (http://www.oldham.gov.uk/learning/pfi/radclyffe.shtml)
- North Chadderton Comprehensive School
Transport
Oldham is some distance from the Trans-Pennine M62 motorway, but is linked to it by the M66 and A627(M). Oldham once had five central rail stations but now has two, Werneth and Mumps. It is planned to link the town to Manchester's Metrolink tram network, but plans are currently in abeyance due to government refusal to meet the escalating costs of the required engineering work. Oldham has a bus station with frequent services to other parts of Greater Manchester.MN
References
- Oldham's heritage (http://www.visitoldham.co.uk/heritage/heritage.htm) from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
- Oldham (http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/oldham2.html) at manchester2002-uk.com
- Discussion-based list of famous Oldhamers (http://www.knowhere.co.uk/3288_heroes.html) at knowhere.co.uk
External links
- Oldham Council (http://www.oldham.gov.uk/)
- Oldham through the lens (http://oldham.angelcities.com/)
- Oldham Coliseum Theatre (http://www.coliseum.org.uk/)