IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Chancery Lane, OLDHAM, OL3 5AE

Viewed from Platt Lane.

Viewed from The Square.

The fountain in The Square at Dobcross, was erected in 1901. It is dedicated to Walter Henry Fox Ramsden, a local doctor. More details may be found at http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=75553 (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association)

Looking up the hill from Woods Lane, into The Square at Dobcross. The most notable feature is the drinking fountain erected in 1901. This is dedicated to Walter Henry Fox Ramsden, a local doctor. More details may be found at http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=75553 (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association)

Whitwell Brass Band http://www.whitwellbrassband.org.uk/ marches down Platt Lane towards the centre of Dobcross village. Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday which fell on the 1st June in 2007 This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas. Contests typically start at about 4.30pm before the winners are announced shortly after close at 10pm or 11pm, though the most popular contests can go on well into the early hours of the morning. Image Image Image Image For more information click on http://www.whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/

Morris men pull the rushcart into the village of Dobcross during the annual Saddleworth Rushcart Festival http://www.morrismen.saddleworth.org.uk/ Saddleworth Morris Men revived the Rushcart as an annual festival in 1975 to become the first of many in the area. The rushes are taken from the surrounding moors (with the blessing of the National Trust) and built onto a two-wheeled cart in a slightly conical shape thirteen feet high weighing about two tons (if it doesn't rain). 'Feathers' at each corner are formed from bolts or bundles of rushes each about four inches in diameter held in place by metal rods. The bulk of the cart is built from loose rushes; they are not tied on. When completed, the whole structure is trimmed to give a smooth appearance on each side. Two Rowan branches are fixed to the top and, on Saturday morning, the front is dressed with a decorated banner. A man chosen from the ranks of Saddleworth Morris Men sits astride the Rushcart for the day, supplied with ale in a copper kettle. The Rushcart is then pulled through the villages of Saddleworth by morris men invited from all over Britain and, sometimes, from overseas. 150 men pull on the "stangs" fixed to strong rope which, in turn, is fixed to the cart. Image Image Image Image Image

Looking down Sandy Lane, into The Square. The most notable feature is the drinking fountain erected in 1901. This is dedicated to Walter Henry Fox Ramsden, a local doctor. More details may be found at http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=75553 (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association)