Oldham

Oldham is a large town in North West England, on the north-eastern edge of the Greater Manchester conurbation, with a population of around 220,000. Traditionally part of Lancashire, it began as a mill town, and is most recently well-known for inter-racial problems. It is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.

History

While Oldham's history can be traced back to the 11th century, it was the Industrial Revolution -- and cotton in particular -- that laid the foundations for the town's prosperity. By the end of the 19th century Oldham was recognized as the most productive cotton-spinning town in the world. At the peak of the town's cotton industry, over 360 mills were operational, with over 10% of the world's cotton spinning taking place in a single town; the last cotton mill closed in the mid-1990s, and redundant mills are now a dominant feature of the town's landscape. The town also lead in the production of cotton-manufacturing machinery, with Platt Brothers exporting equipment throughout the then British Empire.

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The town's Latin motto is sapere aude - "Dare to be wise" which belonged to bishop Hugh Oldham.

Related Topics:
Latin - Sapere aude - Hugh Oldham

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In 1900, Winston Churchill was elected Oldham member of Parliament. He held the constituency for the conservatives until 1904.

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Albert Pierrepoint, the famous 20th Century public executioner, ran a pub in Manchester Road, Oldham named "Help The Poor Struggler".

Related Topics:
Albert Pierrepoint - 20th Century - Public executioner - Oldham

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From 1963 to 1965, the town was overshadowed by the terrible Moors Murders whose victims were buried on nearby Saddleworth Moor.

Related Topics:
1963 - 1965 - Moors Murders - Saddleworth Moor

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The world's first test tube baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in Royal Oldham Hospital on 25 July 1978.

Related Topics:
Test tube baby - Louise Joy Brown - 25 July - 1978

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Culture

Culturally it is quite varied with large East Asian, Nigerian and White communities.

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Pakistani/Bangaldeshi populations number around 28,000.

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Theatre

The town is home to the Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

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Music

Artists/bands to emenate from Oldham include Inspiral Carpets, N-Trance, Barclay James Harvest and Mark Owen.

Related Topics:
Inspiral Carpets - N-Trance - Barclay James Harvest - Mark Owen

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