DOBCROSS DIARY, Issue Number 109 July 2009 1

This issue of the Dobcross Diary is sponsored by

The Kilburn Family Di, Andrew, Rachel, Dan and Jamie

Supporting local clubs, societies, services and facilities - Produced and distributed FREE of charge by volunteers

Memories of Dobcross Brass: Past , Present…

2009 The Whit Friday Band contest this year will be

remembered as one of the wettest ever. Although the morning was beautiful & sunny for a glorious parade to Uppermill, the rain began shortly before Diggle band started the contest off in great style. The persistent & torrential downpour didn’t stop thousands of people having a great time, though. There were plenty of smiles, whether you were Chief Superintendent Caroline Ball (bottom right) or if you had travelled 9,700 miles from Tokyo especially to play in Dobcross, like Kazuhiro Tsikimura & Koji Horita. They joined Asako Mochizuki (top left, in the middle) who now plays with Fulham Brass Band.

1983 Twenty-six years ago, Dobcross village & the Silver Band

were featured in ‘THE BEAT OF BRASS’ - a documentary series presented by Roy Castle. Many readers will remember the filming & original broadcast. Now, thanks to the wonders of the internet, we can see the programme again. If you have the internet, put ‘Dobcross Roy Castle’ into and take a look. John Whitmore, who used to live in The Square (and now lives in Delph), used his technical wizardry to transfer the programme onto YouTube from a mangled old video tape. Whether you are a Brass Band enthusiast or just interested in Dobcross, it makes fascinating viewing.

CAN YOU HELP US TO CREATE A DIGITAL VILLAGE BAND ARCHIVE? John has kindly offered to archive any old videos of the Band onto DVD so they can be shared on YouTube. So, if you have this programme in better condition or any other interesting tapes, contact John via the Dobcross Diary or email john.whitmore@btinternet.com It would be a shame to let these historical records disappear. In the meantime check out his extensive video collection on www.youtube.com/user/bannan61

行ってらっしゃい

2009: Generally wet, but in Dobcross we keep smiling.

1983: Generally drier, but with slightly more dodgy hairdos.

… and future

BRASS ON THE GRASS

Free Concert!

Sunday 5th July 2009, 2pm on Church Fields

DObcross Silver Band ‘Race Night’

Saturday 18th July 7.30pm at the Band Club All are welcome!

HOG ROAST!!!

DOBCROSS DIARY, Issue Number 109 July 2009 2

New arrival in Dobcross Age 6½ (days). Photograph by S. Sankey

Nature Note A piercingly loud song coming from a bush probably belongs to one of our smallest birds, the wren. It is a little plump brown bird with tiny wings and a short tail, usually cocked up at right angles to the body. The bill is long and curved, so it can hunt for its insect food in the smallest crevices. Wrens are as happy to live among the rocks by a Pennine stream as in a garden or a wood; in fact they are one of the most widely distributed of British birds. A male wren builds several domed nests in the spring, hoping to attract a mate to move in! If a female

finds one to her liking, she adds a soft lining before settling in to lay her eggs.

Many birds which eat larger insects are declining in numbers, from the cuckoo to the

flycatchers. Blue tits have nested in my bat box again this year and unusually, the parents fed the young for almost five weeks before they were strong enough to fly. This may be another indication of a shortage of the insect food needed by the young ones.

On Saturday 4th July,

Join in the WILD WEST PARADE from the Band Club (meet at 3.30pm) through the village to Dobcross school. Dobcross Youth Band will lead the way. Children & adults are invited to dress up in Wild West costumes. This year’s WILD WEST VILLAGE FÊTE will feature:

Bucking Bronco, Wild West Games, Line Dancing, Go-karts, Bouncy Castle, Penalty Shoot Out,

Face-Painting & various Stalls.

MUSIC will be provided by Dobcross Youth Band & the School Choir.

Refreshments - BBQ, bar, ice-cream…

FANTASTIC PRIZES!!! The Friends of Dobcross School (FODS) warmly welcome everyone to enjoy a great afternoon. Your support will help to raise money for the school with a

target of £10,000 for outdoor play equipment including an adventure trail.

“On behalf of my mum Joyce and our family we would like to thank The Gardening Club who have kindly placed a bench at Dobcross Band Club in memory of my Dad Eric. My dad died on 18th June 2008. Also to Marilyn who kindly provided refreshments at her garden afterwards.” SUE BRADBURY

UPDATE on Dobcross Band & Social Club

The Band Club has been undergoing a major refurbishment which has produced a more welcoming environment and improved facilities. This work has been possible with a loan from the host brewery, J.W. Lees, grants from Saddleworth Area Review Committee and contributions from the Dobcross Village Community. We would like to thank them for their support. We welcome new members who wish to learn to play a brass instrument, play bowls, cribbage or darts or simply come in for a drink and a chat. We have visiting Brass Bands concerts on Sunday evenings and other social functions. The facilities are available to anyone wishing to book parties, wedding receptions or any other function. Tel: 873741 for more information. John Dewhurst, (Secretary)

Dobcross Bowling Green New bowlers

are always welcome to enjoy the facilities at the Band Club’s bowling green. Play as a guest or become a member of the Band Club (just £15 a year). The spectacular views from the green make this a most beautiful place to while away a few hours on a sunny afternoon, but there’s year round fun to be had -from October to April there is indoor bowling on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings. BOWLING COMPETITIONS 28th June, 12.30pm - Atherton Malone 26th July, 12.30pm Steward’s Cup* (Members only)

16th August, 12.30pm Merit Cup* (Members only) 6th September, 12.30pm Pairs Competition Entry sheets are on the members’ room notice board. For more information call at the Band Club or ring Marie Lever on 875167.

Dobcross Band Club Bowling Green: Where the cool cats hang out.

Eric Arrandale Gardener and Friend

DOBCROSS VILLAGE FÊTE

Open Garden Weekend 11th & 12th July (10 am-4 pm) You are invited to visit an intimate cottage garden

with flowers fruit vegetables & herbs.

Plants for sale. Tea, coffee and home made cakes. All proceeds to Oshandi AIDS Trust in

Namibia (OATIN) Garden Project. 3 Long Lane

Eric Arrandale Gardener and Friend

DOBCROSS DIARY, Issue Number 109 July 2009 3

DVC COMMITTEE CONTACTS Chair: Diane Kilburn 870482 Deputy Chair: John Dewhurst 876567 Secretary: vacant position - Asst. Secretary: Val Kavanagh 875627 Treasurer: Vince Kenny 877534 Diary Editor: Michael Powis 829783 Janet Baker 874780

Paul Clegg 878814 Kevin Haynes (Whit Friday ) 877267 David Makin 872866 Ben Johnson (HT Church) 871160 Richenda Williamson (Elderberries) 870471

Greater Manchester Police Saddleworth 0161 856 4523 Greater Manchester Police 0161 872 5050

PARISH COUNCILLORS Phil Davenport 876881 Royce Franklin 873248 Dorothy Shaw 872096

OLDHAM COUNCILLORS (Saddleworth North) Mike Buckley 820015 Derek Heffernan 0161-652 3705 Alan Roughley 870074

The Dobcross Diary seeks to represent all of the voices of Dobcross and welcomes your views. Please contact the editor, indicating whether or not you wish you views to be included for publication. Letters & suggestions can be emailed - or pop them into the DVC box at the post office. It is produced and distributed by a team of volunteers and over 900 copies are delivered free of charge. Production costs are met by kind donations from villagers sponsors. We welcome articles, photographs, comments, suggestions, anything!!! COPY DEADLINE for the next issue is 24th July. THE NEXT EDITION IS A DOUBLE ISSUE: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER!!!

Michael Powis, Editor 4 Woods Lane

829783 07824 883756

dobcrossdiary@dobx.net

Holy Trinity Church Sun July 5th EUCHARIST (CW) with Archdeacon Cherry Vann 10:30am Sun July 12th EUCHARIST (BCP) with Revd Steve Parsons 10:30am

Sun July 19th EUCHARIST (CW) with Revd Howard Sutcliffe 10:30am Sun July 26th - EUCHARIST (CW) with Revd Kenneth Tibbo 10:30am

Mondays-Fridays - MATINS in The Vicarage 8.00am Thursdays - HOLY COMMUNION (said) at church 9.30am Sundays - EVENSONG with Revd Christopher Halliday 7pm

Sandy Lane Community Church Thurs July 2nd - Tiddlyworship for under 4s and their carers 10-11am Sun July 5th - D-Caff Bible discussion and JIGSAW 10.30am

Sat July 11th - BBQ and Bouncy Castle Fun, fundraising stall. Suggested donations £4 adults/£2 children. 4-7pm Sun July 12th - elev8 youth service for young people in Yr6 & above. Bible discussion (adults) 10.30am Sun July 19th - no service

Sun 26th July- Family Service & Communion 10.30am

Tuesdays - PRAYER MEETING 10.30-11.45am

READY, STEADY, GO ... Olympic training for our village teams is already underway. Please check with your coaches to see if the sessions will continue into the Summer holidays. If you still haven't registered, It's not too late! You can pick up an information pack and registration form from Holy Trinity School or you can download one directly from the Dobcross tab on the Saddleworth Village Olympics website: www.saddleworthvillageolympics.co.uk

Just hand in your completed forms (along with the appropriate

registration fee) to Reception at Holy Trinity School or at the Olympic stall during the Village Fete on Saturday, 4th

July. The games start on Saturday, 5 September at 9am with the grand opening parade followed by the Junior Athletics competition. You can see the full schedule of all the events on the games website (address above).

Hope to see you soon!

17/18/19 July 2009

Christian Aid House - to - House Collection

Thank you to everyone who gave contributions or helped with this collection. Dobcross raised £1,091 - a wonderful effort. With thanks - Dorothy and Bob Townend (Area co-ordinators).

Long W

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The 12th annual Saddleworth Folk Festival

at Uppermill -the friendliest folk festival in the country. As ever there's something

for everyone, with concerts, ceilidhs, sing-arounds,

workshops and sessions. Enjoy the top names

in folk music!

Saddleworth Folk Festival

New Rope String Band

£3,350 What a view!

Many thanks to the thousands of visitors to the Dobcross Open Garden Weekend and of course to the gardeners, The Friends of Holy Trinity Church and helpers who so generously gave up their time helping to raise a fantastic amount of money over what was a lovely sunny weekend enjoyed by all.

Join in with the Balsam Bash events in Dobcross Following on from last month’s article about Balsam Bashing, many keen readers have contacted the editor to find out more. Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale are organising numerous events around Saddleworth to help eradicate the invasive Himalayan Balsam plant - a certified pest! Two dates are in Dobcross.

Wednesday 1st July meet at the Brownhill Countryside Centre at 6.45pm to walk to the balsam site (7pm-8.30pm).

Thursday 9th July meet at the top car park of the Newbank Garden Centre to walk to the Woolpack playing fields (7pm-8.30pm). For more information, contact Graham Gibbons at Groundwork on 0161 624 1444 or by email: graham.gibbons@groundwork.org.uk. www.gwor.org.uk

What the band contest means to me

“I usually try to be as far away as possible for the weekend to escape the crowds of drunken yobs who congregate in the village. On my return on Sunday I noticed the usual stones missing from the wall and broken glass. Then saw that one stone had been used to smash the panel of my front door. This within 100 yards of the green. Contacted the organisers, not interested. Thanks for a great weekend.” G. Ogden, Church Fields

PCSO Monica Seville’s Dobcross Crime Report

Theft From Motor Vehicle x 1 - The Square Robbery x 1 - Dobcross New Road, mobile phone stolen at Band Contest. Criminal Damage x 2 - Both incidents on night of Band Contest. “Burglaries seem to be on the increase in the area again. The offenders are breaking in to obtain keys for vehicles. Can I remind residents not to leave their keys on display and to take them upstairs when retiring for the evening.”

0161 856 4523

DOBCROSS DIARY, Issue Number 109 July 2009 4

What’s On in July 2009

28th June, SUNDAY

HENRY LIVINGS Memorial Concert

Dobcross Youth Band & Whit Friday prize giving. All welcome! Dobcross Band Club. 8pm

1st July, WEDNESDAY

Public Guided Walk (Greenfield & Chew Valley) Meet Mike Fox at

Dovestones car park for a walk to explore how it has been shaped by waterworks, industry & hillside farming. Saddleworth Historical Society. FREE. Tel: 0161 338 6555 1.45pm

Balsam Bash Event, Dobcross

Meet at 6.45 Brownhill Countryside Centre (see page 3 for more details) 2nd July, THURSDAY

Tiddlyworship for under 4s and carers Sandy Lane Community Church 10-11am

Climate, Ocean & the Hydrogen Imperative. Mike Koefman. Illustrated

lecture. Saddleworth Civic Trust. Tel: 873195 S’worth Museum, U’mill 7.30pm 4th July, SATURDAY

Family History Weekend (4th & 5th July) Saddleworth Historical Society. Tel: 874093 Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill

Saddleworth Male Voice Choir & special guest, JONATHAN ANSELL, top

solo artist, formerly in G4 (X-Factor) Tel: 872464 Huddersfield Town Hall

Village Fête “THE WILD WEST”

Meet at the Band Club at 3.45 & join the procession through the village with

Dobcross Youth Band or join the fun at Dobcross Holy Trinity School. 4-7pm

(Please see page 2 for details)

5th July, SUNDAY

Drop-in Drawing Open Day Come

along & meet national wildlife artist Joanne T Kell. ‘Have-a-go’ drop in sessions throughout the day. Tel: 872598 Brownhill Countryside Centre 11am-4pm

Saddleworth Villages Circular A long

hard walk of 11 miles on the tops around Diggle, Delph & Denshaw. Starting in Dobcross. Tel: 872598 Brownhill Countryside Centre 10.30am-4.30pm

Brass on the Grass Free concert for the village,

by Dobcross Silver Band Sunday 5th July

Church Fields, Dobcross 2pm

6th July, MONDAY

DVC (Dobcross Village Community) Meeting Everyone welcome to attend the

village residents’ meeting. Contact Val (875627) if you want to add an item to the agenda. Dobcross Band Club 8pm 8th July, WEDNESDAY

Saddleworth Hist. Soc. Summer Trip.

Tel: Alan Schofield 0161 338 6555

9th July, THURSDAY

Balsam Bash Event, Dobcross

Meet at 6.45 Newbank Garden Centre top car park (see page 3 for details)

11th July, Saturday

Sandy Lane Community Church invites the community for a

BBQ & Bouncy Castle Fun Fundraising Stall for Action Duchenne. Suggested donations: £4 adults/£2 children. Sandy Ln Community Ch 4-7pm

BOLLYWOOD DREAMS in aid of Christie’s Oldham. Six course gourmet

meal, champagne reception, black tie or traditional Indian wear, Bollywood Dancing group, auction & prizes, music & dancing until late. Tel: Postmaster Sukhi 07815 042797 White Hart, Lydgate 7.30pm Advance bookings only.

OPEN GARDEN WEEKEND 11th-12th July 10 am - 4 pm

You are invited to visit an intimate cottage garden with flowers fruit vegetables & herbs. Plants for sale. Tea, coffee and home made cakes. All proceeds to Oshandi AIDS Trust in Namibia (OATIN) Garden Project.

3 LONG LANE, Dobcross 10am-4pm

14th July, TUESDAY

Dobcross Ladies’ Group Food hygiene

talk by Simon Ashton, Environmental Services, Oldham Council Tel: 876164 Holy Trinity Church 8pm 15th July, WEDNESDAY

Saddleworth Naturalists Moorgate Quarry Outdoor Meeting Led by Alan

Price. (NB Not 8 July) Tel: 810415 Meet Museum car park. 7.00pm 16th July, THURSDAY

Police Surgery Local policing matters &

crime prevention advice. Tel. 0161 8564523 Dobcross Band Club 7-8pm

18th July, SATURDAY ,,,

Saddleworth Gardening Society Summer Coach Trips. WINSTER SECRET OPEN GARDENS, Derbyshire. Tel: Ros Ashworth on 871615 for more details.

Dobcross Silver Band ‘Race Night’

Up at Band Club Place your bets!

Dobcross Band Club 7.30pm

26th July, SUNDAY

Dobcross Bowling Club: Steward’s Cup Members only competition. Refreshments on sale. Tel: 875167 or enquire at Dobcross Band Club. 12.30pm

BRASS BAND CONCERTS on Sunday Afternoons (2pm)

5 July – Dobcross Silver Band

(Church Fields) 12 July - Delph Band (Diggle Hotel); 12 July - Diggle ‘B’ (Uppermill Con. Club)

19 July - Silk Brass (Navigation Inn) 26 July - Dobcross Silver Band (Diggle Hotel)

REGULAR EVENTS MONDAYS

5.30-6pm Mobile Library The Square. (ALTERNATE MONDAYS) Tel: 07801 928734 7pm Dobcross Silver Band Adult Training Sessions at the Band Club. Come along! 7pm Saddleworth Bridge Club meets at Delph Methodist Hall. Bring a partner to play competitive bridge in a friendly atmosphere. Tel: 01706 842796.

TUESDAYS

10-12.30pm Canalside Quilters. Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill For details, ring 0161-620 4597. 7.30pm Saddleworth Wine Society meets in Saddleworth School.

WEDNESDAYS

9.30-11.30am Tiddlywinks Parent & Toddler Group Sandy Lane Community Church. 8-10pm Saddleworth Badminton Club Saddleworth School Sports Hall Experienced players and beginners

welcome. Tel: 872664

THURSDAYS

9.00pm Folk Music Night at The Swan. Traditional folk. Come & join in or just listen!

FRIDAYS

10.15am Boom Ting! (not school hols) An introduction to music & rhythm for babies & small children (0-5) with musical instruments to play, songs to sing & games. £2.50 per session (small babies 50p) Tel: 874093 Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill 10-12.30pm FIRST FRIDAY IN THE MONTH 3rd June Carers Centre Delph Drop-In, Delph Methodist Hall. Time out from your caring role, free Reiki treatment, information, advice, activities. All carers welcome. Also, Advice for carers of those with memory problems. Tel: Eamon O’Daly Tel: 810604 www.oldham.gov.uk/carers

SUNDAYS

Mornings 3Ds football training for 4-9 year olds Tel: 877073

9pm Quiz Night The Navigation 872418 DELPH LIBRARY OPENING TIMES Tuesday 2-4.30pm; Wednesday 2-7pm; Thurs-

day 2-4.30pm; Fri & Sat 10-12.30pm

AUGUST DATES:

7-8-9 Saddleworth Wartime Weekend 22-23 Rushcart Festival