The Dobcross Band and Social Club are delighted to announce that they will be playing host to the much admired OLDHAM BAND LEES brass band on Sunday 29th April at 8pm. Entrance is just £3.00 and members and non-members of the Band Club are all welcome.

Missing from Wall Hill Road Dobcross, answers to Ronnie, if you see him please phone Timothy Smirk on 07909 968126. 8 – 9 YEAR OLD TOMCAT TABBIE / MACKREL MARKINGS AND A KINKED TAIL

UPDATE: NOW FOUND

Can You Keep A Secret? The Rise & Fall of the Yorkshire Luddites

The Swan Inn, Dobcross 19th April 2012. Tickets available www.mikron.org.uk £10 (£8 concs)

Written : Maeve Larkin

• Directed : Marianne McNamara
• Music directed : Rebekah Hughes

Riots in our city streets, the worst economic crisis for decades, a long war fought abroad with no sign of progress.

Sound familiar? Welcome to England 1812. Whilst the country’s elite enjoy lavish balls and chattering salons, textile mill workers fight for their livelihoods by smashing up the machinery designed to replace them. Luddism - a fight for rights or fear of progress? Direct action or mindless vandalism?

In the back room of a Yorkshire pub, a young lad is ‘twisted in’. He takes the oath of secrecy and joins the Luddites. But why won’t he give his real name, calling himself instead after the movement’s mythical founder, Ned Ludd? What is he hiding? And who was Ned Ludd anyway?

In the bicentennial year of the Luddite risings, which took place around Marsden West Yorkshire, who better to illuminate their story than fellow Marsdeners, Mikron – with their unique blend of humour, history and harmonic arrangements!

Dobcross residents Michael Powis and Tim Newbold are all set to take charge of The Swan from March this year.

Michael and Tim are looking forward to the challenge ahead. “We are very excited at the prospect of continuing Ali’s good work,” said Tim. “The Swan is a very special place and its role at the heart of the community is so important for the village. We will do our level best to keep the spirit of the pub alive.”

Readers will know that Tim and Michael are active participants in village life. Michael has produced the Dobcross Diary for the last three and a half years. Tim is currently the Deputy Chair of the Dobcross Village Community (DVC) and has enjoyed producing the Dobcross fundraising calendar. Together they enjoy organising village events including the “Evening of Champions” concert last November and the popular Christmas Quiz nights at the band club. (Those of you who don’t know Michael and Tim personally will surely have seen their house on Woods Lane at Christmas time!)

As landlords at The Swan, Michael and Tim bid a warm welcome to all residents and visitors. Both Michael and Tim’s  backgrounds are in customer service. Tim has a wealth of experience in the licensing trade having run the Lancashire Fold and The Olde Boar’s Head in Middleton. “Customer satisfaction is the key to what we do. We know what we expect from a village pub, so we will make sure we deliver the highest standards,” assures Tim.

 "We realise what a life-changing decision we are making by committing ourselves in this way and we are aware how much hard work lies ahead. We are doing it because we love Dobcross and truly believe that The Swan should always be at the heart of what makes living here so special.”

Both Tim and Michael have long associations with Dobcross which pre-date their moving into the village almost seven years ago. Tim has been coming here for Whit Friday  & other events for the past thirty years and Michael can trace his family history back 160 years in Dobcross.

Tim and Michael’s new roles at The Swan will allow them to continue and enhance their commitment to village activities. By making The Swan the new headquarters for the Dobcross Diary, Michael will continue to support local clubs, societies and businesses.

The current landlord, Ali McGregor, has done a fine job looking after this historic pub for more than 12 months and in January he announced plans to pursue new projects and to spend more time with his family. We join the village in extending our thanks and very best wishes to Ali, Glenys and their family.

Ali would like to thank all his customers and wishes Tim and Michael all the very best for the future.

Tim and Michael plan to open the doors on Thurs 22^nd March. (Open as usual until Monday 19th March)

Hope to see you there!

 Coming Soon to The Swan:

Fri 6th April: GOOD FRIDAY MORRIS DANCING IN THE SQUARE

Sun 8th April: EASTER SUNDAY TRADITIONAL LUNCH (12-6pm)

Thurs 19th April: LIVE THEATRE - “CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?” a play about the rise and fall of the Yorkshire Luddites performed by the Mikron Theatre Company upstairs in The Swan’s function room.

New for 2012 at Yoga Yourself - Yoga for MEN ONLY!
I'm really pleased that we have so many men attending classes regularly but I'm always keen to encourage more to come along! I have men attending every class that I teach so there is no need to worry about being 'on your own'. To encourage the more 'reluctant' members of the male community in Dobcross I'm organising a 'men only' taster class which will take place on Saturday March 31st from 9.30-11am. Any men who've been teetering on the brink of coming along to a class then this is your moment to come and give yoga a try.

If you're still not persuaded then keep reading!

5 reasons men should do yoga

1. Thousands of years ago yoga was practised ONLY by men. The practice was designed by men for men. The girls have taken it over! If you're worried that you won't fit in or that yoga won't be physically demanding enough for you, give it a try before you pass judgement.
2. Yoga will make you better at whatever you do. Whatever you're passionate about, running, cycling, football or air guitar, yoga will help you to get better at it. Physically it helps you to find balance, strength and flexibility. Mentally it will give you a way to handle all the pressure and stress that comes from general life, competitive sports or watching the footy on TV.
3. You don't have to be flexible to do yoga. In fact quite the opposite. You might want to try yoga because you aren't.
4. Major 'Brownie' points from your partner. Show an interest in something that your partner cares about. They'll then stop nagging you about your bad posture and 'dodgy' back. Yoga could become a lifelong interest that you share together.
5. Get to know yourself better. Lot's of men feel pressure to be 'tough and strong'. Yoga is the perfect place to let your guard down and just be yourself.

Please contact Maureen on 07971 846563 or maureenwray@yogayourself.co.uk to book your place. £7.50 for the 90 minute class. This will be refunded if you go on to book a block of 5 yoga sessions.

Saddleworth Parish Councillor Ken Hulme sadly passed away on Friday. His funeral is at Oldham Crematorium on Monday, February 13th 2012 at 2pm

Refreshments are offered at the Civic Hall, Uppermill. Anyone who cannot attend the funeral, may pay their respects at the Civic Hall.  Family flowers only, donations in lieu of flowers
to Diabetes UK or MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians)

If you need any further information please contact the Funeral
Director, Mr David Cook, Saddleworth Funeral Services 01457 874357.

SATURDAY 25th FEB 2012

OPEN DAY FOR SADDLEWORTH HYDRO The Open Day will give potential investors a chance to find out more about the hydro project and talk to the Directors and hydro experts Water Power Enterprises (h2ope) in person. “We’d like people to come and join us for a cup of tea and to have a chat about the community hydro scheme. People who’ve already invested will be on hand to share what motivated them to buy shares and we’ll be having short tours to show people where we’re hoping to site the turbine. Having a sense of what the hydro will look like and understanding where the water will come from makes the project all the more real” said founding Director Bill Edwards. Saddleworth will be England’s first ‘high head’ community-owned hydro, using head from the 90ft dam at the Dove Stone reservoir. A 51kW turbine will be installed generating 170,000kWh/year electricity, enough to power 45 homes. In addition to a grant by Defra and the European Agricultural fund for Rural Development, the recently launched share offer for £120K will cover the outstanding cost of the project. So far, £30K has been raised via the community share offer. Directors are hoping to offer 4% interest on shareholdings from year two. There’s a minimum shareholding of £250 and a maximum of £20,000. EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) status has been granted, so shareholders with more than £500 worth of shares can apply for EIS tax relief at 30%. For example, anyone buying £1000 worth of shares will in fact be spending only £700. Individuals hoping to be eligible for EIS tax relief must invest a minimum of £500 and keep the shares within the company for a minimum of 3 years. Saddleworth Sailing Club, Dovestones Reservoir 11am-4pm

The Dobcross Village Community (DVC) has organised a family outing to watch Disney On Ice on 25^th March 2012. We have approximately 15 places left on the coach so if anybody would like to book one of these places to visit Liverpool for the day to perhaps have a wander around the Liverpool One shopping centre, the Albert Dock or Tate Liverpool or visit one of the many other attractions Liverpool has to offer please contact Kelly on 0795 1084515 or 879123.

The cost is £5.00 per person which includes return executive coaching to and from the Echo arena (note approximate walking distance to Liverpool One is 15 minutes, Albert Dock attractions closer by). Please see website: www.liverpool-360.co.uk for more information on what the city has to offer.

A section of the field between Dobcross New Road and Church Fields has been bought by a Dobcross family. They have contacted the Dobcross Diary to reassure people that they are NOT developing the land for building. It is their intention to seed the land to a wild meadow and plant at least 1 acre of the field to an orchard of approx. 40 - 60 fruit trees, plus a soft fruiting area.

The 1.6 acre site for the project extends approximately 40 feet into the field behind the family’s home and across towards the garden centre (and down the slope to the road) and the northern boundary is to be wire fenced and hedged. The  public’s right of way along the footpath from the Church down to Brookdale cobbled lane will be maintained.

If anyone has found a Canon camera battery in the village centre, please contact the Editor and I will put you in touch with its owner. dobcrossdiary @ dobx .net

If anyone has lost a cute tortoise shell cat with a white chest, please contact the Diary editor for information. dobcrossdiary @ dobx. net

Dear Resident

Police have recovered a number of firearms following an armed robbery of a pharmacy in Delph. Shortly after 3.35pm on Monday 16 January 2012, police were called to the Co-operative Pharmacy on King Street, Delph to reports of an armed robbery. A man had walked into the pharmacy and demanded prescription drugs. As he did not have a prescription the pharmacy manager refused. The offender then produced a high powered air rifle and demanded the drugs. He left the shop and was followed by a member of the public. The gun man shot at him twice and went into a house close by. The member of the public was not hurt.

Specially trained firearms officers went to the address on Grains Road, Delph and a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He remains in police custody.

Police searched the address where they recovered a number of weapons, including three firearms and a machete.Following the arrest local residents reported a strong smell of chemicals in the area. A search of a nearby garage was conducted and as a precautionary measure six houses were evacuated. Nothing of concern was found and resident safely returned home. Inquiries are ongoing and police are continuing to search the surrounding area.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade, said, “I want to reassure the public that this is being treated as an isolated incident. Crimes of this nature are extremely rare. “Specialist officers responded quickly to initial calls of this robbery and a man was arrested shortly afterwards. Further inquiries led us to carry out a search at an address, which meant a small number of residents had to be temporarily relocated. However once we had made sure the area was safe, these people were allowed to return only a few hours later. “I want to thank the community for their cooperation over the last 24 hours. Extra patrols are in place to provide reassurance to the community.”

Kind regards,

Inspector Danny Milovanovic
Saddleworth and Lees NPU
Telephone 0161 856 8993

Saddleworth Illuminations

The judging of the Saddleworth Illuminations competition took place in December. Cllr Patricia Lord, Chair of the organizing committee 'I am yet again amazed at the continual increase in the number of people putting up illumined displays and the ever increasing standard of them. As ever it was difficult to find a winner from all the houses and shops we visited, starting at 4.30pm and not completing the judging at the Civic Hall until 11.00pm. My thanks go to the Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Bill Cullen and the councillors who braved the cold and rainy weather to visit properties from as far apart as Greenfield and Denshaw.'  

BEST ILLUMINATED SHOP WINDOW

Winner NK. Hair Studios, High Street, Uppermill

Second Prize Millgate Hair Studio, Millgate, Delph

Highly Commended All Wrapped Up, High Street, Uppermill

 BEST DECORATED SHOP WINDOW

Winner New to You, High Street, Uppermill

Second Prize Delph Post Office, King Street, Delph

Highly Commended Buckley No. 2, New Street, Uppermill

 BEST ILLUMINATED LARGE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Winner Mr & Mrs Powell, Annisfield Avenue, Greenfield

Second Prize Mr & Mrs Robinson, Church Road, Uppermill

Highly Commended Mr & Mrs Kershaw, Thornley Park Rd, Grotton

 BEST ILLUMINATED MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Winner Mr & Mrs Hall, Claytons Close, Springhead

Second Prize Mr & Mrs Percival, Claytons Close, Springhead

Highly Commended Mr Kershaw & Ms Williams, The Paddock,Greenfield

 BEST ILLUMINATED SMALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Winner Mr Kershaw & Ms Whalley, Lowerfields, Dobcross

Second Prize Mr & Mrs Morris, The Square, Dobcross

Highly Commended Mr Newbold & Mr Powis, Woods Lane, Dobcross

COMMUNITY PRIZE

Winner Claytons Close, Springhead.

Good neighbours on Nudger Green have asked for help to trace the owners of a remote control model aircraft which has crash landed in their garden. If anyone has lost one, please get in touch! dobcrossdiary @ dobx.net

Planning applications 19.12.11 

News just in from Dobcross Band Club!

The results of “Dobcross in Lights” were announced at the Band Club last night. There had been several hours of “heated” debate by the three judges and there were many properties that deserved a mention. In the end it was decided to award three runner-up certificates this year.

 Highly Commended were:-

Dave Morris, Saddleworth Bank

Mike & Tim, 4 Woods Lane

45 Nudger Green

And the overall winner was once again Gary Kershaw, 5 Lower Fields.

For any villagers with young children this display is worth a visit. You can see some of the rear garden lights from the bottom of Nicker Brow.

On Tuesday 13th December 2011, Fred Talbot's popular "Where's Fred?" feature on Granada Reports came from Dobcross. Fred the weatherman showed viewers scenes of the village and gave clues about his whereabouts and viewers had to guess where in the north west Fred was. He mentioned Richard Gere, John Schlesinger and Vanessa Redgrave, the architecture, the river, the brass banda and much more. Marie Whitehead from Dobcross spotted Fred filming with his cameraman and trademark little red car. Here are her pictures taken in The Square. You can follow Fred on Twitter @fredtalbotitv

 http://www.itv.com/granada/wheres-fred25644/ WATCH IT HERE!

Planning Applications 12.12.11

Planning Applications 05.12.11

The third DVC quiz at the Band Club was a huge success last night with more people than ever before hopeful of winning some of the fantastic prizes. The winning team chose to gamble the bumper sweetie hamper for the "Christmas in a Box". The raffle was astounding with a top prize of a £50 voucher for Albion Farm and a living Christmas Tree from The Old Toll House (Cottage Plants and Produce) of Platt lane Dobcross, plus much more.

A record number of teams (25) packed the Band Club out and a good time was had by all. If you missed it, you can play the picture round here. (Contact the Dobcross Diary for answers dobcrossdiary@dobx.net) Dobcross Diary Grand Christmas Quiz Picture Round 2011

Our thanks go to everyone who helped put on this event and who donated prizes  - especially Albion Farm Shop, The Old Toll House (Cottage Plants and Produce) of Platt lne Dobcross and All Wrapped Up of Uppermill.

Profits from the evening went to the marvellous Dobcross adult brass band learner group, the Dobcross Brass Monkeys.

Photo by Michael Powis

Saddleworth Community Hydro Launch Invite 

INVITATION

You are warmly invited to the Launch of Saddleworth Community Hydro

at

SADDLEWORTH CIVIC HALL

on

Thursday 15 December 2011 at 7pm

Chris Davies MEP will formally launch the share offer and the Directors of Saddleworth Community Hydro Ltd will explain more about the proposed community-owned hydroelectric scheme. Exhibition boards and video footage will demonstrate how the technology works and show existing successful community-owned hydro schemes.

Saddleworth Community Hydro Ltd offers individuals, local businesses and social investors the chance to become members of a high head hydro electricity scheme. A prospectus can be downloaded after the launch at www.h2ope.co.uk.

Shares cost £1 with a minimum investment of £250 and a maximum of £20K. Surplus monies will be used to fund local environmental and educational projects.

Becoming a share-holding member is a unique way to demonstrate your committment to a local, sustainable, environmental project.

Refreshments will be available from 6.30pm

RSVP to Bill Edwards on 01457 871 598 or email bill.edwards1@btinternet.com

Saddleworth Community Hydro Ltd is supported by Defra and Water Power Enterprises (h2ope)

Dear Resident,

A number of street lights that need a new bulb have recently been
reported to me. Also I have noticed and reported several blocked
gulleys (grids) recently. Both of these are a potential safety problems
in the coming dark nights and icy weather.

If you know of any street lights that are not working, or blocked
gulleys, or serious potholes in your area please let me know and I will
make sure the problem is addressed as soon as possible.

Regards,

Mike

Mike Buckley

mikebuckley@saddleworth.net

Here is a list of all the fantastic prizes at the Dobcross Village Community Grand Christmas Quiz on Saturday 3rd December (7.30pm Dobcross Band Club)

Grand Christmas Quiz 2011 PRIZES

The Dobcross Village Community is organising a family outing to watch the daring acrobatics, breath taking skating and loveable Disney characters in the Disney on Ice production of “Princesses & Heroes”. The performance takes place on Sunday 25^th March 2012 at the Liverpool Echo Arena at a cost of £26.00 per person which includes your ticket and executive coach travel to and from the event. This price is subsidised by the DVC and represents excellent value for money for what will be a fantastic show.

 Tickets are limited so for further information or to book please contact Kelly on 879123 or 07951 084515 by the 10^th December 2011.

 “Enter a world where heroes and hearts prevail. Join Ariel and Prince Eric as he breaks the spell to reclaim his true love. See Prince Philip defeat a fire-breathing dragon as he rescue’s Sleeping beauty’s Aurora. Discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin and watch the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and Tiana come true. There’s even a special appearance by Disney’s newest princess, Rapunzel”.

It was, to the appreciative audience who attended the ‘Evening of Champions’ concert organised by the Dobcross Village Community, an event that truly lived up to its name … and more. Tickets sold out weeks before the night, but those who were lucky enough were treated to a rare, memorable, uplifting, and often surprising, feast of musical delights - right here on our doorstep at Holy Trinity Church - which looked spectacular...

People arrived early - eager to bag themselves a good seat and were rewarded with a delightful recital of light music by Dobcross organist Sheila Cooper, who later performed a dramatic, haunting version of the overture to ‘Phantom of the Opera’.

Tim Newbold of the DVC thanked everyone for coming and handed over to our compere for the evening - David Morris - the first of our champions. David, in his own inimitable style, brought laughter coupled with two thoughtfully balanced sets showcasing his peerless whistling dexterity. David’s performance again furthered his campaign to have the human whistle recognised as a musical instrument deserving of its place in the concert arena. The audience heartily agreed.

There was a fantastic, rousing debut performance by the Northern Brass Collective. All players with this exceptionally talented brass quintet have held principal seats in the nation’s leading brass bands. On the night they stunned the audience with their eclectic programme and it gave Laura Hirst of Albion Farm (cornet) a wonderful, personal opportunity to share her extensive musical depth with an audience on her home ground, allowing them to appreciate why she was chosen by Brighouse and Rastrick Band to be the first female member in 130 years.

We were still savouring the Collective’s fine performance only to be lifted again by the vibrant young Absolution Saxophone Quartet. Their tight, carefully-crafted choice of music included Histoire de Tango, Claire de Lune and the foot-tapping Gershwin classic, I Got Rhythm. Their mind-blowing “Lone Arranger Goes Sax Mad!” was preceded by a challenge to the audience: How many tunes could they identify in this ultimate ‘mash-up’? This caused much debate in the pub afterwards!

And then, a huge tidal wave of music, dance and perfect stage craft filled our hearts and minds … enter the unique Cottontown Chorus. They trouped in, one-by-one, until almost 40 men filled the stage to entertain us in an amazing, mind-blowing tour de force.

It would take a small low-loader to carry the number of medals, accolades and Barbershop championships they have already collected for sterling performances across the globe.

So in readiness for competing against the world's finest in America next year, this world-class chorus gave our little village a fabulous treat that will be remembered for years to come. In return, we marvelled, cheered, wept and clapped their amazing performance until our hands ached. A costume change for the second act transported us to the rooftops of Mary Poppins’ London and an unforgettable, specially arranged medley of popular songs from this much-loved musical - ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’, ‘Step In Time’, Feed the Birds’, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, and the spectacular finale ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ which filled the church with brightly coloured kites flying high up through the atmosphere along with rapturous applause, cheers and shouts for more from an audience on its feet.

Not wanting the evening to end, the audience and performers trooped off to The Top House after the show, where the landlord had prepared a pie supper for the chorus – many of whom were visiting Dobcross for the first time. Mike Wayne has written to the Diary to say: “All the guys from Cottontown had an absolute ball on Saturday – we were bowled over by the lovely warm welcome and the amazing reaction to our performance.”

Tim Newbold and Michael Powis of the DVC said when organising the event that they wished to bring to Dobcross an evening’s entertainment worthy of a West End stage. From the reaction of the audience, this was clearly achieved. Roll on the next show!

The Dobcross Band & Social Club's Centenary Celebration last night was a huge success. A packed audience was entertained by The Big Shot Swing Orchestra featuring David James on vocals, David Morris, World Champion Whistler and Dobcross Youth Band. Peter Young OBE compered the evening. The Navigation and The Swan provided the delicious food - "Dobcross Tapas" down at the Civic Hall in Uppermill. The room looked absolutely fabulous and was decorated by Michell Greenwood from Table Linen Design http://tablelinendesign.co.uk

It was an incredible evening befitting the occasion. Thank you to everyone for supporting Dobcross Band & Social Club.The club is available for functions as well as being home to music, bowls, snooker, darts, zumba... Tel 01457 873741.