Saddleworth Past and Present
How times have changed the landscape
I recently stumbled across some images of the area from the 1800s and was struck by how things have changed. This led me to take photographs of how it looks now and to look further into what some of the images related to (some of the buildings are no longer in existence) and what is known about the history of the landscape.
If anyone has any more to add to any of the images and stories here please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you – hello@saddleworthlife.com
Uppermill as a village has changed dramatically with the loss of Mills, chimneys and the addition of a multitude of cars.
Uppermill is the largest of the Saddleworth villages. The string of villages are steeped in history, especially the Cotton Industry. The area, being blessed with what seems its own weather system, has a large rainfall. The wet climate helped to prevent the cotton fibres from breaking when the threads were being spun and ultimately used for weaving.
The Swan Inn in Delph really hasn’t changed that much from the outside, although modes of transport are very different.
Delph is a one of the many little villages that make up Saddleworth. Interestingly the name Delph derives from the Dutch for mine as the village is built in and around the bowl of an old mine, the stone being used in the building of the local houses.
Wade Lock
Wade Lock greets you as you drive into Uppermill from Greenfield. It is on a picturesque waterway, the Hudderfield Narrow Canal. Just beyond the lock, back towards the village, are moorings and many brightly coloured boats are to be seen. Consequently it is a popular draw for day visitors to the village. The village, also heavily populated with coffee shops, cafes and restaurants is a great place to spend a day with family or friends.
The Moorcock Inn
The Moorcock Inn was a hostelry that stood up above Yeoman Hey reservoir, on the A635, locally known as the ‘Isle of Skye’ Road from Greenfield to Holmfirth. It was a popular meeting place for locals in the area, but was demolished soon after a deadly crime.
It was the scene of the murder of William and Thomas Bradbury, father and son landlords in 1832. The murderers were never discovered and speculation as to their identity continues even today.
Some say they have evidence of speaking with the spirits of the murdered landlords. Below is a recording made on the site of the former Moorcock Inn.
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Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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