Review Of 2010: April

Saddleworth News is looking back at some of the stories which made the headlines in our area during 2010.

A fire burns on Rishworth Moor in April. (picture: Gary Richardson)

Several fires broke out on moorland in and around Saddleworth during April, following one of the driest ever starts to a year. The blaze at Rishworth Moor (pictured) was one of four in a week, as reported here.

The general and local election campaigns got into full swing, and highlights included a packed hustings meeting in Uppermill here, and a difficult day for Phil Woolas in the company of Gordon Brown, as reported here.

A dramatic row over alleged political smears also hit the Oldham East and Saddleworth contest here, and it wouldn’t be the last we’d hear of dirty tricks.

All manner of candidates were interviewed by Saddleworth News. Among the most interesting to look back on are those given by Phil Woolas here, Elwyn Watkins here and Kashif Ali here.

In other news, an armed robbery at Dobcross Post Office caused shock among local people, as reported here. Parish councillors had to scale back plans to extend Uppermill Civic Hall. and you can read about that here.

Local campaigners were able to show off new signs at the county boundary at Grains Bar, as shown here. Meanwhile, Saddleworth’s best known stargazer Professor Brian Cox showed us how to look to the skies for Venus and Mercury. The story and picture are here.

And in sport, Mossley ended an up-and-down few months in 7th place in the table, while Saddleworth Rangers were promoted despite a shaky conclusion to their season. You can read more here and here.

The review of March is here, and you can look back at February’s stories here.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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