iKnow North West
Oldham Accommodation
Oldham in 1879, part of Mr Knott's famous panorama of Oldham.
Oldham Town Centre SculptureOldham Tourist Information Museum Greater Manchester History Photographs UK
Then me skirt an' blouse I sold um, and went trampin' back to Oldham'. I'd take Gracie's advice and get trampin' to Oldham - fantastic! Beautiful countryside and fascinating history and art in Oldham and the Saddleworth area is somewhat of a surprise, the reason being is it just 'isn't out there'.
Here's where we start to put the record straight. Start in Oldham town centre on the heritage trail taking you through the considerable remains of Victorian architecture in Oldham, second only to Halifax (link Halifax page/Yorks site). The Gallery, Oldham's very own arts centre, opened in 2002 and is a contemporary and interestingly shaped building attached to the Free Library on Union Street. Inside you'll find cutting edge contemporary art - both local and international and reflexive of Oldham's multiculturalism.
Gallery Oldham, Oldham Cultural Quarter
This gallery crammed full of public art - local, international, mixed and varied - will quite simply take your breath away. Accessible and free, feast your eyes on this mix of sculpture, contemporary art and photography and thought provoking and magical exhibitions like the now on display 'Songlines' by prominent Bangladeshi artist Abdus Shakoor. His works are inspired by folk art and traditional folk stories which are known as the Mymensingh Ballads which draw on both Hindu and Islamic traditions covering that broad spectrum of loss, love, parenthood and power.
Also, of particular and rather peculiar interest is the Oldham 1879 Panorama - a series of pictures taken by a Mr Knott who ran a photography studio and picture framing service on Yorkshire Street. It's a mystery as to why he took it upon himself to do it, but with the aide of computer digitalising we can now see all nine of his photographs in one long panorama on show in the Gallery.
It documents a fascinating moment and social document, although the lack of people seems somewhat unusual. This is put down to the fact that the photographs are thought to have been taken on a Wakes Week (factory shutdowns/holiday weeks). I can only spot one figure of a women, see how many you can spot? The complete panorama is on show in the Gallery Oldham.
Gallery Oldham, Oldham Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL T: 0161 911 4653 www.galleryoldham.org.uk
Wots to do' in Oldham
For details on the Oldham Town Trail taking in all the Victoriana phone 0161 627 1024, or check in with the tourist information point for friendly help and advice. Note St Mary's Parish Church looming over the town built in 1830 in a particularly crude gothic style - fantastically gruesome! Look across to the old Town Hall, with it's window now fetchingly boarded up with bright green wooded boards, Churchill would have been proud. They weren't green when he made one of his imperialist monologue speeches outside the town hall doors - there's a plaque next to one of the green boards!!
Oldham is the market metropolis of the North West. Get down to Tomyfield Market on Albion Street - there's a 140 years of market history here. There's an indoor and outdoor section. You'll find some great stalls here including 'Cosy Toes', specialists in everything socks and hosiery, or 'Phil's Carpets & Rugs' - brilliant prices for rugs here 'and some orange and purple lino for the floor'!! Tommyfield Market Hall is open every weekday and Saturdays and the open air market is open on Monday, Friday and Saturday. There's a special Flea Market on Wednesdays and on Sunday's Tommyfield Car Boot market runs. T: 0161 911 4515 for further details.
Oldham and Sir Winston Churchill
Oldham was where Churchill began his political career in the early 20th century, although it took him two attempts to succeed here in Oldham as a Conservative MP. Once in office, he seemed to spend most of his time in London, rather than with his constituents, and soon went on to run in Manchester.
Churchill was a rather confusing and some might suggest opportunist politician, changing from Conservative to Liberal, a staunch imperialist, abysmal on women's rights and cushioned by an aristocratic upbringing he still seems to symbolise 'greatness' for many. Memorable speeches indeed, but worth digging a bit deeper behind the myth! Oldham today it seems has little time for the old stalwart which is as it may, besides of course the plague by the green boards!!!! www.winstonchurchill.org
Oldham & Shaw Theatre
If theatre, often with a radical or social commentary twist is your bag check out the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom Street, Oldham OL1 3BR. T: 0161 6242829, www.coliseum.org.uk or the smaller Playhouse on Newtown Street in Shaw, T: 01706 847281. Here at the Playhouse they've had plays such as the superb 'Love on the Dole' by Walter Greenwood and Ronald Gow - a tale of 1930's Salford grit.
Oldham Tourist Information Centre
Oldham Tourist Information Centre,
