Review Of 2010: March

This Christmas Saddleworth News is looking back at some of the stories which featured on the website earlier in the year.

Traffic rules for the Whit Friday contests caused a stir in March. (picture: Saddleworth Whit Friday Preservation Group)

There was a flurry of excitement surrounding the annual Whit Friday contests in March, as some organisers warned they would have to cancel their events because of proposed new traffic rules. After a significant outcry about the idea, a compromise was reached and the contests ultimately went ahead more or less as normal. The articles and comments from the time still make interesting reading, and are here, here and here.

Following a service in his memory at Manchester Cathedral, a new search began on Saddleworth Moor for the remains of Moors Murders victim Keith Bennett. As reported here and here the search was funded by private donations, but by year’s end there had still been no breakthrough.

Our area found itself at the centre of a circulation war, as two separate free newspapers launched. The Oldham Chronicle set up its weekly Saddleworth Extra, while newcomer Investors In Publishing appointed local journalist Ken Bennett as the editor of its monthly Saddleworth Independent. More details are here.

As it prepared to take over the running of Dove Stone Reservoir, the RSPB told parish councillors about its “low key” plans for tourism at the local landmark. Meanwhile, the parish council’s community toilets scheme got up and running. You can remind yourself of those stories here and here.

Tragedy struck at Marsden station when a teenager was hit and killed by a train, as reported here. He was later identified as Gareth Oates from Suffolk, and you can read more about him here.

The build-up to the general election continued with a fascinating battle to see who would become the Labour candidate in Stalybridge and Hyde, following James Purnell’s decision to stand down. Local party members eventually chose Jonny Reynolds (article here), and he would go on to become the MP in May. Meanwhile, Conservative leader and future Prime Minister David Cameron visited Holmfirth, as reported here.

The review of February is here.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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