Chadderton Historical Society
Forty-Sixth Annual General Meeting Thursday 6[th] May 2021
SECRETARY’S REPORT for the Year June 2020- May 2021
Unfortunately, because of the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, the normal activities of the Society ceased after the March 2020 meeting, and so no Programme was organised for this past year.. It seems pointless to print all the usual sections to this Report, and so it only includes items containing matters in which the Society was able to participate. These are placed under the normal headings.
(3b) Society Newsletter ‘The Griffin’
During the year ‘The Griffin’ has continued to be published quarterly in February, May, August and November. It was felt that in these strange times this was one way the Society could keep in touch with its Members. members Copies were sent to Full Members, Associate Members, Honorary Members, Chadderton councillors, certain other councillors and regional and national bodies concerned with local history. Most copies were sent by post. The Secretary collated items, and organised the finished copy, in preparation for printing. Thanks to Membership Secretaries, Wendy and Tim Cockram, who arranged the distribution of postal copies.
(4a) [ii] Conducted Tours for Adult Organisation:
Walks: (1) Chadderton Hall Park Tuesday 16[th] June 2020, for Dementia Group based at St. Herbert's Court.
(2) Chadderton Fold Tuesday 30[th] June 2020, for Dementia Group based at St. Herbert's Court.
(5b) Display Board and Cabinet
(a) The Society's display board, in the locked cabinet in Chadderton Hall Park, has an impressive display on the Life of Cardinal Langley of Middleton. Many thanks to Society member Peter Briggs for maintaining this facility, which is of benefit to the local community and also to visitors to the park..
(8) Involvement with Council Departments, Councillors, Community, and Developers
(a) Action Together. Letter sent to Action Together (Oldham and Tameside) supporting their proposal to alter the rules relating to Trustees Period in office.
(b) Town Hall Dome. The Society informed the Chadderton District Executive that part of the concrete covering the Town Hall dome had broken away and was in danger of falling to the ground. As a result the dome has been repaired.
(c) Ward Boundaries. Details sent to Councillor Graham Shuttleworth, who requested information on the boundaries of Chadderton's Wards in the days of the Urban District Council. Also sent to the Council the CHS's submission for ward boundaries in Chadderton. Basically, stated that the three wards should contain as much of 'traditional' Chadderton as is consistent with electoral numbers, but requested that none of these wards should contain any parts of surrounding towns. If any peripheral areas of Chadderton are included in other surrounding wards, then the name of that ward(s) should also contain the name 'Chadderton' if a substantial area of our town forms a part. Also suggested that the Chadderton polling districts now in Coldhurst Ward be reintegrated in Chadderton North, if at all possible.
(d) Crossley Railway BridgePlaque. Comments made to Central Ward councillors about the replacement of this plaque, which was removed by the Developers of the new road (Lydia Becker Way). Its replacement is presently ongoing.
(e) Lydia Becker Cafe. This new facility in Foxdenton Park is due to open later this summer. On 6[th] April the Chairman and I were invited to view the pavilion with the intention of putting up displays on the history of Foxdenton Hall and Park. The Society is also compiling a number of leaflets on this history for distribution to visitors to the park. Two have so far been completed – one for adults, and a children's version.
(10a) Enquiries made by the Society and/or Information and Comments Received
(1) I informed the Chadderton District Executive that the 'Christmas Cracker' Feature above the Town Hall balcony was once more fixed too low. Also mentioned other lamp standard feature problems. Asked if these could be remedied, and also why 'Christmas Plus', who erect the Christmas Lights, are so elusive when we all need to work together on the Lights.
(2) Request from Philip Walsh, Friends of Real Lancashire Society, asking permission to reprint in their magazine the article from November 2020's Griffin on the Chadderton Hangman. Permission granted.
(3) Full Report, obtained via email, on the excavation of Tonge Moor Farm and Brown Hill Farm, Foxdenton, authorised in 2020, by the Developers of the land to be use for housing in that locality. This was a very comprehensive and professional Report which may be printed off.
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(4) The Society received news from Royton Local History Society of the death of Doug Ashmore on 3[rd] April. He was a founder of RLHS and will be greatly missed. On behalf of our Society I conveyed our sympathies to his family and the RLHS.
(10b) Enquiries, Requests, etc. made to the Society (often by email)
(1) Shirley Clegg, Shaw, requesting photographs of Laburnum Cottage, at Chadderton Heights, now demolished, but where she was brought up. Copies were supplied.
(2) Ann Sweatman requesting information on a family member, James Fitton, a councillor and local worthy of a century ago. Info supplied.
(3) Member Lorne Anton, Berwickshire: Information on Anne Whittaker (or her descendants), a friend of his late mother (an artist) who did a charcoal drawing of Anne. No info available from CHS but Members would be asked in due course.
(4) Helen Brougham who was compiling her family tree, and whose ancestor, Mary Brougham, was Governess at Chadderton Hall Boarding School in 1861: Information on the pupils attending the School. Info supplied.
(5) Roger Ivens, Oldham Local Studies Officer: Information on members of staff at Chadderton Hall Primary School in the late '70's/early '80's. Partly answered by CHS, and then query passed to a present member of staff. Fuller information was then forthcoming and this was sent to Roger.
(11a) Archive Material Received from Donors, Record Offices, etc
(1) Lancashire Record Office: Document purchased from Lancashire Archives, Preston, concerning Bubonic Plague outbreak in Chadderton in 1646.
(2) Anonymous Donor: Booklet for Opening of Chadderton Grammar School in 1930
- (3) Peter Briggs, Member Books on: Britain 1740-1950 An Historical Geography; Treasures of British History (with facsimile documents); The Archaeology of Manchester in 20 Digs; The Manchester Rebels; The Irish in Britain 1815-1914; English Local Government in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries; The Church of England in the Mid-Nineteenth Century.
(3) Former Member Bertha Trimble Estate: Gas Mask in original Lancashire Coutry Council Box; 'Victor' Rug Making Tool.
(11b) Archive Material purchased on Ebay
(1) Matchbox label showing 'Chadderton Arms' (former public house sign – building now Chadderton Preparatory Grammar School, Broadway).
(2) Brooks Family, Chadderton: Extensive family ephemera, including war documents and certificate.
(11c) Books and Publications Received from National, Regional and Local Organisations
(1) Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society Vol. 112.
(13) Summary
As seen above, the year 2020-2021 has been an extraordinary one because of the coronavirus pandemic. This Report is unusual in itself, being so brief and limited.
Hopefully, in the coming months some semblance of normality will return, enabling the Society to resume its normal activities.
Trusting that there are no major errors, discrepancies, or omissions, I hereby conclude my Annual Report for the year 2020-2021, and present it to all Members of the Chadderton Historical Society.
Signed ………………………..……………………….. Dated
…………………………………. Michael Lawson B.E.M., B.M., B.Ed., M.A. [Secretary]
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