It is my intention to bring a little nostalgia to your pc, by highlighting on some historic moments that have occurred over the years in the Saddleworth and Oldham area. By scrolling down this page, you will be able to read about the Grotton Lido, the 'Delph Donkey' railway, view images of bygone Oldham and public houses. There is also a new feature on the Glen Mill POW camp.

Grotton Lido

This was perhaps what put the village Grotton on the map.

For those who are too young to remember (including myself), the Grotton Lido was a 180 foot purpose built open-air swimming pool situated in Grotton Hollow. Built on the former Dunkerley's Mill site by Messrs Whitehouse and Stubbs, they intended to create a semi-holiday resort and that Grotton might benefit from the glories previously enjoyed by nearby Lees, to where Manchester physicians sent patients to recuperate.

The lido was officially opened on the 11th May 1935 by the Chairman of the Springhead Council, Harry Wilde JP. Other features included a water chute and a high diving board. There was also a dance floor and a bandstand where the 'White Star Dance Band' used to play on Tuesday and Saturday evenings.

With an already well-established railway station, it is not surprising that hundreds of people travelled on the "Delph Donkey' railway for an afternoon of healthy pursuits. Even Brookside Brewery in Ashton must have considered the tourism potential when plans were drawn up in 1937 to build the Grotton Hotel. Charles Kibble was the first hotel manager and on the morning of 19th July 1939, the licence of the Morning Star was transferred to him. By 11.30am the same morning, he opened the pub enabling the lido's alfresco customers to enjoy a frothy pint after a swim. 

Sadly, adverse weather and the onset of World War Two brought about the closure of the lido. The only clue to it's position is Lido House, a sheltered housing unit opposite the Grotton Hotel.

(Text taken from David Needhams' article in 'around Saddleworth magazine')

'Delph Donkey' railway

The 'Delph Donkey' was the nickname given to a 'push-pull' LNWR (London North Western Railway) branch line which opened in 1849 to connect Oldham, Greenfield and Delph to the main Huddersfield to Manchester line. However, the line to Greenfield Junction from Mumps and the stations at Lees, Grotton and Grasscroft opened on 5th July 1856. The line was the brainwave of James Lees of Delph, a mill owner, who pressured LNWR for it's construction.

The route commenced at Oldham Clegg Street. Pictured below is a south side view taken in August 1957. Still visible, on the lamposts if you look carefully, is the white paint  applied in wartime to assist passengers during the blackout. (B Hilton)

The next stop was Oldham Glodwick Road before it's snaky route to Lees. The need for raw cotton had prompted the railway company to provide a goods shed for the storage and distribution of raw bales. By the 1880s, some of the mills namely the Clough and Springbank were two such sites had their own dedicated sidings. In 1877, the engine shed at Lees was built to replace the small engine shed at Mumps.

Regular summer specials often to coastal resorts ran on this line. Here, a Llandudno-Greenfield relief approaches Lees station passing the Glen Mill in June 1955.

(J Davenport)

This picture taken in June 1963   shows shows a very derelict Lees station. The solid architecture of the buildings could have made an attractive private residence today. In the background to the left, you will notice the outline of the Stamford Mill.

(M J Stretton)

A reminder that in the east of the region, winters can be hard and long as a blanket of snow covers Lees in March 1954. Indeed the enginemen at nearby Lees shed were often called upon for snow clearing duties.

Some people may well remember the Railway Inn on St John Street. This is shown as the right hand side of the building immediately to the right of the lampost.

(J Davenport) 

Today, a different story. Quite difficult to take a shot from the exact angle in the above photograph due to the trees which now line the bridlepath. You can still make out the terraced house on St John Street together with the railway bridge used quite regularly by dog walkers or even cyclists to shelter from the rain

During the hard times in Lees and Springhead there are stories to be told, that as the train began it's momentum to Grotton, the fireman aboard would throw large lumps of coal to awaiting Springhead residents, who would scurry down the embankment to fill their sacks. To drop in such names as Ronnie Jackson and Jack Ashworth at his point, would provide some identity as to who was providing coal off the 'back of a train' !

It's at the intersection of Station Street that the train would have passed under Oldham Road. Although now it is overgrown, you can clearly see the portal point. Today, you are not able to see the exit point as a considerable amount of hardcore was used to bring up it's level for the bridlepath ahead.

If you follow the bridlepath today, you are able to walk the route the train would have taken before it's next stop, Grotton & Springhead Station.  

Here a Stockport bound train starts from Grotton & Springhead station. The station building remains there to this day although it is now a well preserved private residence. (A J Cocker)

(Left) Today, the remnants of the original platform remain in tact, albeit a bit wobbly.

(Below) A few hundred yards, the train would have entered the West Lydgate tunnel portal. This was the longest in the Oldham area at 1,332 yards. In 2008, the British Railways Board who maintain disused railway tunnels throughout the UK, sent several weeks in repairing the tunnel as part of their annual inspection programme. You will be pleased to know that all the property above is safe !

At the East portal point of Lydgate tunnel, little can be seen due to overgrown vegetation. The next stop would be Grasscroft Halt before joining the main line to Greenfield.

Here the last passenger train starts from Grasscroft Halt on it's final journey to Delph. (Saddleworth Historical Society)

It continued on the line until Moorgate Halt set above Uppermill. In the picture below, signalman W Hobson hands the staff for the Delph branch line to driver TP Evans at Moorgate Halt, around 1950.

It then left the main line and veered sharply to the left to follow the perimeter of the now disused Ladcastle Quarry before reaching Dobcross station. It then continued to Delph with one additional stop that served the 'Measurements' factory on Delph New Road where they made meters. Trains only called here at the start and end of each working day. (Oldham Advertiser)

Here William Hobson, the Delph Junction signalman poses on the steps, while on the right, he retrieves the baton from a passing train.

Eventually, the line terminated at Delph where a private siding served Messrs Mallalieu's Bailey Mill. There was also a goods shed and coal staithes serving local businesses. The terminus at Delph still stands today as a private residence as shown below. 

As a result of dwindling passengers, the last passenger train ran on 30th April 1955, while goods continued to be shunted until 4th November 1963. The eventual closure to the line was due to a recurring financial loss each year. Most of the railway workers either took redundancy or were shifted to Mumps. Finally in 1964, the track was lifted. The photograph below perhaps is the only remaining evidence that is still available of such a local historic feature.

As for the donkey ? Well the rumour goes that the carriages were pulled by a donkey in the opening years. However, there is no firm evidence that supports it unless anybody is able to tell us anything different.

Reading in the archives of the Oldham Evening Chronicle, there was a suggestion in 1986, that Oldham Council were considering the re-instatement of the line, but I imagine that the costs involved would have exceeded its' gamble for success.

Today, the Saddleworth Historical Society occasionally feature the 'Delph Donkey' in its' newsletters as a pleasant nature walk, and some memorabilia can even be viewed in the Saddleworth Museum.  

For more details on the railway plus personal recollections of such a historic    service, I have found two interesting websites. Please follow the links below.

http://www.ribblevalleyrail.co.uk/delph/delph%20donkey%20final%201.htm

http://www.53a-pix.co.uk/picture/84015-OL-020455.jpg

The Glen Mill POW camp

The Glen Mill POW camp was the first of two camps to be introduced during World War II. There are many articles which reveal some heart warming stories that occurred. However, Bob Moore has written an excellent resume of events together with some rare images of life in the camp. You can read this article by clicking on the link below.

http://www.mcrh.mmu.ac.uk/pubs/pdf/mrhr_10_moore.pdf

Oldham theatres and music halls

This link provides an insight to Oldham's history of Music halls and theatres, and provides some excellent photographs along the way.

http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/oldhamtheatres.htm

Bygone Oldham

Click on each television to watch slideshows of Oldham and the surrounding areas throughout the ages.

For the last time gentleman please !

Click on the icon image to view a slideshow of public houses that have stopped trading. See you how many you recognise.