## **CHADDERTON TOGETHER** 

## **ANNUAL REPORT TO AGM SEPTEMBER 2023** 

Chadderton Together (CT) are now entering their sixteenth year, since its formation in 2008, and can look back and be very proud of the progress that has been achieved. 

Thanks to the considerable efforts of all trustees, other members of the general management committee and other volunteers, 2022/23 has been a successful year. 

Our Tea Dances resumed after Covid restrictions at Chadderton Town Hall and we held a very successful Quiz Night at Chadderton Reform Club. Chadderton Day, with its English Civil War reenactment over two days, was a great success and provided an opportunity to promote CT, Foxdenton Park and the restoration of Foxdenton Hall. 

Lydia’s Tearoom has proved to be a successful and much needed facility for Foxdenton Park. The Tearoom has proved to be the perfect hub and base for many activities held within Foxdenton Park. Tribute should be made to the tireless work and time given freely by the supervisors and volunteers who run Lydia’s Tearoom on a day-to-day basis. 

Lydia’s Tearoom continues to be an integral part of the plan to redevelop Foxdenton Park and support the renovation of Foxdenton Hall and bring it back into community use.  Several important steps are to be taken: an extension of the tearoom to accommodate council staff once planning permission has been obtained; the submission of an expression of interest to Heritage Lottery to be followed by a Stage 1 application for the funding to complete the architectural and engineering drawings. 

The owners of the Nile Mill have invited CT to develop a project to adapt the engine house as a community facility which would form part of the revitalisation of Fields New Road whilst the Nile Mill is being renovated to promote employment opportunities.  The Oldham Council Local Improvement fund provided a grant which has enabled architects to undertake some feasibility work which demonstrates how the project might be taken forward and provide a means of accessing the grant system.  This project is at the early stages of development and ore work need to be done to support the structure of the building whilst funding is obtained to ensure the eventual success of the project. It is important to note that the Nile Mill is a Grade 2 listed building.  The engine house is its main listed feature and the double mill is one of only two remaining buildings of this type in the country. Therefore, it is an important historical landmark in Chadderton which must be preserved for future generations.  More information will be made available during the coming months. 

Oldham Council granted permission to The New Chadderton Partnership establish a neighbourhood forum and agree the consultation area (covering all three Chadderton Wards) on 28[th] February 2022. The newly formed New Chadderton Partnership will give the wider community an opportunity to influence the future development of Chadderton in particular and Oldham in general.  Promoting connectivity across Chadderton, securing employment opportunities, additional housing, promoting a recreational programme, protecting the environment and addressing climate change will be key elements of any strategy to take Chadderton forward. 

The Chadderton Community Benefit Society (CCBS) has achieved some funding in order to further its operations.  In the near future the public consultations will attract membership from Chadderton. The aim of the CCBS includes the revitalisation of Foxdenton Hall and Park and the creation of sports facilities within the park and Chadderton. 

CT continues to strive to help other local voluntary groups and organisations to access the grant system and develop projects for the benefit of the wider community in Chadderton and beyond as well as working with the Chadderton District Executive Committee and other statutory and voluntary 



organisations. With continued support from the General Management Committee and Trustees, CT will always help to try and ensure successful outcomes for any beneficial project within the local community. 

CT includes representation from the following local community groups: Firwood and District Residents Association, Stockbrook Tenants and Residents Association, Chadderton Historical Society, Chadderton Amateur Swimming Club and other organisations. 

Thanks go to all members of the committee, volunteers and everyone who have strived to promote the development of CT in many different ways. Without their unstinting help and support, very little would be achieved. 

Graham Taylor 

September 2023