Yorkshire Day Saddleworth and the county boundaries around Manchester
August the first is Yorkshire Day.
What could that possibly have to do with Manchester? It may come as a surprise to many that a district of Yorkshire lies within the subregion of Greater Manchester, only 8 miles (12km) north east of the city centre. That district is Saddleworth, with its scenic landscape and traditional Yorkshire style villages of Dobcross, Uppermill, Greenfield, Diggle and Delph.
In 1974 Saddleworth council was abolished and it became part of Oldham MBC for local government purposes. Yorkshire West Riding signs were taken down, maps were changed, making it appear as if Saddleworth was no longer part of Yorkshire, but it always has been.
In the opinion of Eye On Manchester we should respect boundaries which have existed for more than 1000 years and not obscure them with modern, and often ill-conceived local government structures, the imposition of which was like laying tarmac over cobblestones. Much confusion has resulted, for instance I’ve seen business cards with ‘Saddleworth Oldham Lancashire’ in the address.
I’ve also noticed that old milestones on the Saddleworth boundary have had the old county and district names chiselled out. Did this happen around 1974, or, as on Flixton Bridge, were the names removed during World War II to hinder an invading army? I’ve seen no other milestones in the Manchester area that have been altered in this way.
Saddleworth is an interesting place with a striking landscape and a strong local identity. It’s part of the fascinating mix that makes up the Manchester City Region, but it’s also part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and this should be acknowledged on signs, on maps and in local government structures. The county of Rutland, abolished in 1974, regained its council, why not the Yorkshire district of Saddleworth?
Congratulations from EOM to all Yorkshire people on Yorkshire Day!
More info on Yorkshire’s ridings on the Yorkshire Ridings Society website, and to find out more about England’s counties and why they’re so important, go to www.abcounties.co.uk.