IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Pole Lane, MANCHESTER, M35 9PB

These cottage-style houses look out on to a small public garden area in the historic heart of Failsworth. The church spire is that of St. John the Evangelist.

Looking north west.

Ben Brierley (1825-1896), a renowned Lancashire dialect poet, was born in a house not far from this statue, which has been erected in a small public garden area in the historic heart of Failsworth.

This attractive small public garden area is on Pole Lane, Failsworth, facing the A62 Oldham Road. In the photo can be seen the statue of Ben Brierley the Lancashire dialect poet, some small cottages and the spire of St. John the Evangelist church.

This sculpture of Ben Brierley by Denise Dutton was unveiled at Failsworth in 2006 Image It is based on an earlier sculpture by John Cassidy which had once stood in Queen's Park http://www.johncassidy.org.uk/brierley.html but which was lost due to the various ravages of time. For more information on the writer see Gerald Massey's website: http://gerald-massey.org.uk/brierley/

The plaque at the base of the sculpture of Ben Brierley Image reads: True Worth Never Fails BEN BRIERLEY 1825 - 1896 by Denise Dutton presented to the people of Failsworth on 14 June 2006 by Councillor Jim McMahon and John Crompton, Chairman, Failsworth Historical Society OLDHAM Metropolitan Borough.

The layout of the flowerbeds around the Failsworth Pole (behind the photographer) dates from 2006. On the left of Oldham Road is the Church Inn. Across the road on the corner with Pole Lane is the Royal Oak. In the background is the spire of St John the Evangelist.

The bronze plaque on the east side of the Failsworth Pole was produced by H Carr & Son. It reads: FAILSWORTH CLOCK TOWER THIS CLOCK TOWER WITH A REPLICA OF THE ORIGINAL POLE WAS ERECTED TO REPLACE THE FORMER WOODEN POLES AS A PERMANENT FEATURE OF THE URBAN DISTRICT AND WAS INAUGURATED. TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE 15TH MAY 1958. It is followed by a list of councilors: Ronald Ord (Chairman); J Fogarty (Chairman of Parks Committee); G.A. Hughes (Chairman of Pole Lane Site Committe); R Aldcroft; G E Edge; D Simcock; J Stamhope; Dr F D Bacon; H Jones; F H Sledge; C E Tucker; J H Bell; D Makinson; R Smith Jnr; G F Wilson; and also E D Turner (Engineer and Surveyor); John Walton (Clerk and Solicitor)

The Failsworth coat of arms on the railings around the Pole was supplied by Jones & Rawlinson.

The bronze plaque on the west side of the Failsworth Pole was produced by H Carr & Son. It reads: ON THIS SITE, THE CENTRE OF LOCAL LIFE AND REPUTED FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL TO BE THE SITE OF A MAYPOLE, WAS ERECTED A NEW POLE WITH THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTION :- "THIS OUR LOYAL STANDARD OF FAILSWORTH WAS ERECTED ON THE 1ST OF JANUARY 1793. TO THE KING, CHURCH & GLORIOUS CONSTITUTION" THE SECOND POLE WAS ERECTED ON THE 24TH AUGUST 1850 AND A THIRD POLE WAS ERECTED ON THE 24TH AUGUST 1889 THE FOURTH POLE WAS ERECTED AND UNVEILED ON THE 24TH AUGUST 1923 BUT WAS DESTROYED ON A GALE ON EASTER MONDAY THE 10TH APRIL 1950.