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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Thomas George

Does Saddleworth yearn to be part of Yorkshire almost 50 years after controversial split?

It has been almost half a century since Saddleworth was separated from the rest of Yorkshire, but the decision remains a contentious one in these parts.

Historically part of the former West Riding of Yorkshire, the collection of villages and hamlets became part of Oldham and Greater Manchester under the local government overhaul of 1974.

Yet spend just a few hours in Uppermill - a trendy Saddleworth village teeming with bars, restaurants and boutique shops - and it becomes clear that not everyone agrees.

READ MORE: We asked people from Prestwich if they live in Bury or Manchester - here's what they said

For some, the wounds have never healed.

The old Roses rivalry will be played out on a football field this weekend as Manchester United and Leeds United prepare to go head-to-head in the Premier League.

Yet Saddleworth's own War of the Roses has been raging on for decades.

"It's still Yorkshire to me," says Martin Byrom, co-owner of Towpath Bookshop.

"We often get people coming into the shop to ask where they are. We say 'you're in the old West Riding of Yorkshire'.

"Oldham Council like to claim Saddleworth as its own because it's the jewel in the crown."

Martin Byrom, co-owner of Towpath bookshop in Uppermill (KBP)

Customer Chris Herring shares Mr Byrom's stance.

"I'd say I'm in Yorkshire right now," he offers, upon hearing the topic of conversation.

It is easy to see why some might feel this way.

Traces of the area's Yorkshire roots can still be found across Saddleworth, which is comprised of several villages and makes up 53pc of Oldham borough.

A plaque affixed to the front of one house in Uppermill High Street declares its location as "Saddleworth, Yorkshire".

The area's White Rose Society has campaigned for the recognition of the parish's historic identity as part of the West Riding of Yorkshire for almost 50 years.

The society has successfully marked some of the places where the boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire coincides with the Saddleworth boundary.

Traces of Saddleworth's historic identity can still be found (KBP)

In 2012, a sign erected in Springhead, claiming it as part of Yorkshire, was met with outrage from some Red Rose loyalists, who branded it 'inflammatory'.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Day Celebrations continue to be held across the parish with people taking to the streets every August to celebrate the White Rose county.

People's views on the topic tend to differ depending on their age, according to Michael Schofield.

"It's a generational thing," said the 32-year-old butcher.

"Younger folk see it as Greater Manchester.

Michael Schofield outside Paul's Quality Meats in Uppermill, Saddleworth (KBP)

"It was Yorkshire 50 years ago, but enough time has passed now.

"Having said that, a lot of our beef and lamb comes from Yorkshire and our pies are made in Huddersfield."

Mark Reynolds has lived in Saddleworth for 30 years and says he has always viewed it as Greater Manchester.

"We pay our council tax to Oldham Council," he said.

"There are people who see it as Yorkshire though.

"I have a friend in Dobcross who puts her address down as Yorkshire.

"It's more of a source of humour than a rivalry.

"Some people have lived here a long time and it's good that they want to remember their roots."

Uppermill and the other villages in Saddleworth were once part of the former West Riding of Yorkshire (KBP)

Supping his pint in The Commie pub, Osman Kovacevic is not afraid to share his views on the debate.

"To me, it's Greater Manchester," the 70-year-old said.

"I certainly don't want to be part of Yorkshire.

"We have an Oldham post code and who grits the roads around here? Oldham Council.

"I have some Yorkshire mates and I'm forever arguing this point."

Originally from Gorton, Paul Marland-Griffiths is assistant manager at Caffè Grande Abaco in Uppermill.

He lives in Lees, where a sign near to the Red Lion pub marks the old Yorkshire/Lancashire border.

Paul Marland-Griffiths, assistant manager at Caffè Grande Abaco (KBP)

"People are obsessed with geographical rivalry," said Mr Marland-Griffiths.

"They like to know where they are grounded and who they are. It's an identity.

"People want to be associated with Yorkshire because they call it God's own country.

"They have Yorkshire Day here and all the flags go up in the windows.

"We had the War of the Roses and the rivalry is still there hundreds of years on.

"It's just changed. We're not going out in the street with pitchforks anymore."

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