History of Austerlands and Scouthead: A Saddleworth Local History

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But, encouraged by visionary councillors Derek Heffernan, Garth Harkness and Alan Roughley, residents have teamed up to form Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group. Hymns were lead by members from Dobcross Brass Monkeys, and wreaths were laid by Saddleworth Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Jamie Curley and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, GMP Sergeant Neil Barker and representatives from Royal British Legion, Scouts and other groups, including Dvestones WI. The news has been greeted with delight by the Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group who already stages an annual fun day at the field, working with the district partnership. Proudresidents received a King Charles III wreath gifted by Greater Manchester Lieutenancy in honour of the district's fallen.

Joan, who attended with her husband Paul, received a Yorkshire emblem scarf from Michael Hall of Saddleworth White Rose Society instead of the usual society tie given to male holders of the title. The group has also applied for a Local Investment Funding Grant to further improve the facilities including a climbing frame. Joan Sykes, former chair of Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group, added: “This area of green belt is a great local asset and for Saddleworth as a whole.” And Alison Clowes, the Royal British Legion standard bearer, returned to the hills after from representing Saddleworth at the televised service of remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall attended The Queen and Royal family on Saturday night. Because Dawson's Field at Scouthead has been asset transferred from Oldham Council to Saddleworth Parish Council meaning the facility can be used by villagers for 30 years.

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The retiring Mayor Anita, who lives in Springhead, is a dedicated volunteer with the Oldham branch of the Women’s Trust Fund (WTF) for The Christie Charity.

Event organiser David Needham said: “Wewere particularly pleased to see more and more children attending the event, and the assembly was captivated by 10 weekold Jase Johnson (see picture above), a village resident, proudly wearing his poppy in support of his Great Granddad’s Uncle, Thomas Burns,of the Gloucestershire Regiment. In 2014 he became the Mayor of Austerlands and proudly led the first band, accompanied by his young granddaughter, from The Three Crowns along Huddersfield to Dawsons Field. It seems to me Jesus knew the only way to transform the ugliness in the world into something beautiful, the only way humanity could heal its own brokenness and give itself a lease of new life was through the act of putting others before oneself.

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I always thought the people, the customers and mainly Ray were the character and Sue brought her own style.

Before the application was submitted, the field and its surrounds were very poor with an extremely muddy entrance, falling down walls and barbed wire. Increased activity should help to secure the land for the general public and ultimately remove some of the uncertainty regarding our committee's long held concern about the field's retention for community use. As we are only just getting started there are lots of things we will be looking at but firstly it’s important to get people involved and to get everything set up.” And after signing the transfer documents, Cllr Jamie Curley, chair of Saddleworth parish council, said, “The field is part of the green belt and is now available to villagers for a range of community based activities.” The award citation read: “He is a great believer in local traditions throughout Saddleworth and believes in the importance of keeping them alive.”And over the years, the pub has collected a host of brewing industry related accolades and several distinguished awards for its beautiful external floral displays. And this means the community has to demonstrate that the field on the main A62 Huddersfield Road could be retained for future use. In addition this year my husband, Geoff, and I created a ‘soldier’ for the garden at Kilngreen and ‘planted’ some of the poppies in the grass to make a display. Stuart Cook also thanked the Parish Council – which granted permission for the post’s installation – and particularly praised the community effort involved in developing the field to make it such an important asset. It seems to me Jesus, more than anyone else who has ever lived, realised the true nature and power of compassion.

The Above and Beyond Award was presented at the Scouthead Band Contest award ceremony held at Old Original, Scouthead. He also thanked local resident Phil Howard and Phil Moss for their efforts in organising and making the signpost, as well as Geoff Fielding and Paul Sykes for their work in installing it. Parish cllr Barbara Beeley who launched the Fun Day said: “I am pleased the field has finally been transferred to the Parish Council and will be protected so many more fun days can be held in years to come.”A delighted Saddleworth community is celebrating news of an extra special Christmas present this year. Saddleworth winners were also among those who received Private Gardens merit awards, including Les Chapman from Delph and Steven Lovett from Dobcross. They throngedto the hillsides, villages and from across Oldhamto paytheir respects at touching Remembrance Sunday services. He said: “The field had been one of the very few bits of open green space in Austerlands and Scouthead accessible to the public. It was very much larger than it now as Oldham Council sold two thirds of it leaving the remainder.