Oldham

Eagle-eyed residents spot Olympic hero in Oldham Council’s Christmas advert

The animation shows a local family exploring the high streets of Oldham for the perfect Christmas gift.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th December 2021

Olympian Matt Walls has been spotted by eagle-eyed residents in Oldham Council’s new animated Christmas advert.

With the adorable animation – which is aptly-titled ‘Christmas in Oldham’, and was released at the start of December – Oldham Council is giving retail giants a run for their money by encouraging visitors to the borough’s town centre to “shop local” over the festive season.

Following a turbulent 18 months for Oldham’s high streets and markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council say the new animation is intended to promote the Christmas season in the town and urge locals to support independent businesses when shopping for presents for their loved ones.

The animation shows a local family exploring the high streets of Oldham for the perfect Christmas gift, and ends with Santa and his reindeer flying high over Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.

And, to make the film even more “authentically Oldham”, the clip also features the iconic Oldham Lights, reference to the wonderful outdoor markets of Royton and Shaw, and Delph Brass Band – who along with conductor Phil Goodwin provide the music for the clip.

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Oldham Council has worked with Jo and Paul Perry from Delph-based award-winning animation production company, Periscope Studios, to create the festive film.

But that’s not all.

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Eagle-eyed Oldhamers also noticed that 23-year-old Olympian Matt Walls – who was born and raised in the Greater Manchester borough, and won both a gold and silver medal for track cycling events at Tokyo 2020 – made an appearance in the animation.

He was shown with a beaming smile outside the town’s cycle shop.

Matt’s appearance in the animation may be obvious in one scene, but he’s actually hidden in there a few more times than initially meets the eye too, which is why the Council is soon to launch the ‘Where’s Walls?‘ competition – its own take on Where’s Wally – and those who enter can win one of five £50 Love to Shop vouchers by simply watching the video and commenting under the Facebook post how many times they spot Matt in the background of the animation.

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Winners will be notified on Friday 17 December.

Oldham-born Olympian Matt Walls made an appearance in the animation outside the town’s cycle shop / Credit: Oldham Council

Speaking on the launch of the new Christmas animation, Cllr Arooj Shah – Leader of Oldham Council – said: “Christmas is an important time for us all, and a chance for us to spend time with loved ones [so] we wanted to reflect this when creating our Christmas animation, which was commissioned to promote the boroughs retail business offer. 

“We’re incredibly proud of our markets and retailers – independent and high street alike [as] they’ve worked tirelessly to adapt against ever mounting odds to keep residents safe.”

The animation shows a local family exploring the high streets of Oldham for the perfect Christmas gift / Credit: Oldham Council

She continued: “People say that it’s a shame that the high street is dying, but if people are sat at home buying online, that is unfortunately what could happen. If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, why not visit your local Oldham high street first?  

“The heart-warming message of the animation is something that we can all relate to after the restrictions on seeing loved ones last Christmas.”

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Head over to Oldham Council’s I Love Oldham Facebook page here for more details on the competition.

Featured Image – Oldham Council

Oldham

Diggle Lock – the canal-side Saddleworth cafe serving a world-class brunch

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Brunch spread at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth

Diggle Lock is a hidden gem – hidden, that is, in the same way that a lot of things in Saddleworth are hidden.

It’s a bit of a faff to reach from public transport, concealed in an ancient stone building, and often visited by walkers following routes along the canal. 

But much like Grandpa Greene’s ice cream parlour (its neighbours a bit further down the canal), this place has earned itself a reputation for serving some of the best food in the region. 

Its selling points include its stunning setting within an old textile mill in the village of Diggle, where the bare form of its past (concrete floor, stone walls, huge ceilings) are softened with Persian rugs scattered everywhere, fairy lights, and plants hung from the ceiling.

When Jamie Collins opened Diggle Lock back in 2019, they actually had the extension space tacked on the back of the mill. 

But when Wooly Knit decided to move of their huge industrial unit, Diggle Lock expanded, increasing their capacity into triple figures… right before Covid hit. 

Thankfully, the business pivoted and turned its newer space into a shop, hooking locals up with all those things we were squabbling over in those days – eggs, pasta, flour – plus locally-made products like soaps, sauces, and even chocolate. 

The DLFC club sandwich at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
The DLFC club sandwich at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
French toast at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
French toast at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Halloumi fries at Hash browns at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Halloumi fries at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth

The retail space remains today, still selling fresh bread and zero-waste refills, but it’s joined by cosy corners of leather seating and plenty of space for diners to tuck in to brunches and lunches. 

And the brunches here are world-class. 

Their French Toast is almost cuboid, it’s so large. A doorstop of brioche is drenched in white chocolate sauce, vanilla mascarpone, macerated berries, caramelised chocolate crumble, slithered almonds, and pure joy. 

There’s their best-selling ‘DLFC’ club sandwich, which sees fried chicken (their own homemade original recipe), bacon, garlic mayo, lettuce and tomato served in pillow-soft white bread. 

Jamie Collins and Samedi Kirkbride
Jamie Collins and Samedi Kirkbride
Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Hash browns at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Hash browns at Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Diggle Lock in Saddleworth
Diggle Lock in Saddleworth

Sides include homemade hash browns, crisp on the outside with a satisfying mosaic of potato on the inside, and crispy halloumi fries topped with pink pickled onions. 

There’s a full vegan menu, there are eggs anyway you could want them, proper English breakfasts, and more of those massive sandwiches. 

Its clientele is vastly varied – there’s a lot of local tourism from walkers (because what city-centre dweller doesn’t love an escape to the Saddleworth countryside?), a good handful of regulars, and even a bit of international tourism (including a New Yorker who told Diggle Lock that their pancakes are the closest they’ve had to those back home). 

The knitting group who used to meet here when it was Wooly Knit still come by, to chat and create clothes over a glass of wine. 

Diggle Lock’s even found fame thanks to competitive eater and YouTuber Beard Meets Food, who decided to take on an entire tray of their French toast (that’s 3.5kg of the stuff and a 30-minute time frame). 

The video racked up almost three million views – so naturally, that French toast challenge is now on the menu. 

This is a world-class brunch served in a world-class corner of northern countryside. 

With rain absolutely lashing down outside and a sandwich in front of you so big you could wear it like a pair of wedges, it’s a cosy hideaway and a proper Oldham treasure. 

Don’t miss it.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Oldham

The Failsworth and Oldham-based walking group that’s proving to be a lifeline for hundreds of Mancs

Danny Jones Danny Jones Greater Manchester walking groups

We feel lucky to live in a world where people are being more proactive when it comes to taking care of their mental health as well as looking after others, so when we came across a Greater Manchester walking group doing just that, we couldn’t help but spotlight them.

The Failsworth and Oldham Walking and Unity Group has only been going for around three months or so but it has already become a regular and important pastime for hundreds of Mancs in the local area and beyond the borough.

Set up by Bradley Robinson in the hope of helping people suffering from mental health and addiction issues, as well as those who simply struggle to socialise, the group has taken off and has gone on to become a real community in a relatively short space of time.

Working with volunteers at the local church, Macedonia URC, and setting up walks all around Failsworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester and nearby ramblers routes, the group isn’t just giving its members an enjoyable outlet through which they can spend time with others, it’s proving to be a real lifeline.

Failsworth walking group
Brad Robinson
Credit: Failsworth and Oldham Walking and Unity Group (via Instagram)

Going from strength to strength with each venture out — ranging from strolls around local parks to walks and hikes around Saddleworth‘s Dovestone Reservoir, Todmorden’s Gaddings Dam, days out in Blackpool and more — the group has evolved into something much more than just Brad’s baby: it’s now everyone’s, just as it was intended to be.

In fact, even whilst their inspirational founder was out of action with a broken ankle in recent weeks, their dedicated volunteers took it upon themselves to arrange various walks for nearly 700 Failsworth and Oldham Walking and Unity Group members and made sure to bring Brad along in his wheelchair too.

Since part of the goal from that beginning has been to give back, the group has now become a proper brand with clothing and merchandise funded through donations, as well as further spreading the word through leaflets and their social media pages. Better still, all the money raised goes straight back into the community.

People from all ages and backgrounds come together for what is not only just a highlight in their week but a regular bit of exercise they can rely on for both their mental and physical health. We can’t think of many better causes to get behind.

macedonia church failsworth
canal walks manchester
waterfalls greater manchester
It’s a real family-friendly affair.

Reflecting on the huge impact the group has had on their life, one member said that after going through “the toughest few months” of their life, the walking group helped show them who their ‘real friends’ were.

“Failsworth and Oldham Walking and Unity Group has helped me so much I’ve met so many new friends/family and I couldn’t imagine my life without any of you. This group needs to be recognised more because the unity it is bringing is beautiful.

“It’s kept me happy and clean and the feeling I get after checking on the group each day and connecting with people who understand — nothing comes close”.

Genuinely, even in reading just some of the stories people have shared in this active and crucially open forum, we’ve been full of emotion and welled up on more than one occasion — especially watching Brad reflect on how far it’s come. Be it a problem with alcohol, depression, grief or otherwise, this group is playing a key role in people’s recovery and rebuilding confidence.

is failsworth in oldham
failsworth community groups
Founder Bradley
best views in greater manchester

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It always fills our hearts and brings us joy to see people banding together and helping one another during their most difficult times, and to provide such a worthwhile service in a group setting like this doesn’t just happen like that, it takes graft.

Bradley and every single person involved in the Failsworth and Oldham Walking and Unity Group should be immensely proud of what they’ve already built and we have every faith it will continue to get bigger and better in the years to come.

The group has also set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for more club trips, activities and outreach which you can donate to HERE.

With the ongoing cost of living crisis compounding obstacles for people all across the country, highlighting the importance of mental health is more crucial than ever, with the UK government also outlining new steps to prevent what remains one of Britain’s biggest problems.

‘Major’ new strategy to prevent suicides nationwide announced by Government

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Failsworth and Oldham Walking and Unity Group

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