IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Greaves Street, OLDHAM, OL1 1AD

Now an Italian restaurant/pub. Old maps are unhelpful in trying to establish the original function of the building.

This was the latest part to be built. If some plans are approved (big if) , could become a cinema.

Built in 19th century. Built as a place of study and culture. Built in 2 parts - spot the slight differences in style. Small theatre in basement.

The Lyceum the left side of the building was built in 1856 containing library newsroom,and lecture rooms.The Science & Art was built in 1881 and among other things started instrumental music lessons and eventually became the Oldham Music Centre.

The Lyceum is a Grade II listed building opened in 1856 at a cost of £6,500 as a "mutual improvement" centre for the working men of Oldham. Facilities included a library, newsroom and a series of lectures on geology, geography and education, microscopy and chemistry, female education and botany. Instrumental music was introduced and there were soon 16 violinists and 3 'cellists. Eventually the building was extended to include a school of science and art. Music had always been important in the life of the Lyceum, and in 1892 a school of music was opened, with 39 students enrolled for the "theory and practice of music". The Lyceum continued throughout the 20th century as a centre for the arts in Oldham, and in 1986 the local authority was invited to accept the building as a gift. In 1989 the Oldham Metropolitan Borough Music Centre moved into the Lyceum building, which is now the home of the Oldham Lyceum School of Music. It's possible some of this information is out of date. A passer-by said it was a disused ballroom and currently up for sale! But lights were on upstairs and down, and there were blinds and curtains, so it appeared to be in use.

Three sculpted owls stand on pedestals, overlooking Parliament Square. These sculptures, erected in 2017, are at the southern end of the square looking towards a solitary owl sculpture at the northern end. The owls are a nod to the Oldham crest/coat of arms which has three on a shield with another perched at the top (https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Oldham Heraldry of the World).

The shield on the Oldham coat of arms depicts three white owls and the three owls are also on top of three tall columns in Parliament Square. This is one of those owls.

Work on the Oldham town centre section of the Metrolink extension at Union Street.