Saddleworth

From Free net encyclopedia

Saddleworth is a civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in North West England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 24,351, making it one of the larger civil parishes in the country.

Situated east from the centre of Oldham, the Saddleworth area is situated on the Pennines hill range and is noted for its hilly landscape. Saddleworth is formed by a collection of villages, including Springhead, Uppermill, Greenfield, Dobcross, Grasscroft, Diggle, Delph, Denshaw, Grotton, Lydgate, Friezland, Austerlands and Scouthead.

Saddleworth is historically part of Yorkshire. From 1900 to 1974 it was an urban district of the West Riding of Yorkshire (and from 1894 to 1900 a single-parish rural district). In the local government reforms of 1974 the administrative county of the West Riding of Yorkshire was abolished, and Saddleworth was incorporated into the new Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, one of the ten metropolitan boroughs of Greater Manchester, although it remains in the geographical County of Yorkshire.

Saddleworth has a large number of annual customs and traditions, many of which are held during Pentecost. On Whit Friday morning, congregations from the churches of all of the Saddleworth villages parade into Uppermill, where a religious service is held. Later in the evening, the Whit Friday brass band contests take place. The band contests originated in Saddleworth and the nearby towns of Mossley and Stalybridge, and are still centered on the local area. Bands from around the UK travel to the area annually to compete. Due to the huge popularity of the event, Whit Friday band contests are now held in many of Saddleworth's surrounding towns. On the following Saturday, the Beer Walk is held. This is a massive fundraising event where participants walk around Saddleworth in fancy dress, stopping off at many of Saddleworth's pubs along the way for half a pint of beer or lager. Spectators are encouraged to give money to the participants for charity.

Each year, on the second Saturday and Sunday after August 12th (the old Saddleworth "Wakes Week"), the Saddleworth Rushcart takes place. In 1975 a team of local lads formed the Saddleworth Morris Men and the first modern Rushcart was built for the first festival. This has now become the largest Festival of Morris Dancing in the whole of the United Kingdom

The MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth is Phil Woolas.

The Moors Murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady buried their victims on Saddleworth Moor. The body of Keith Bennett, the killers' third victim, has never been found.Template:Manchester-geo-stub