Oldham

Summit Up: The new purpose-built climbing centre opening in Oldham next week

Summit Up aims to be a space that inspires and motivates people of all ages and abilities to be active and ambitious.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th September 2021

A brand-new climbing centre that’s set to be an “inclusive experience” for all is the latest addition to the region.

Summit Up will be opening its doors in Oldham next weekend.

Aiming to be a space that inspires and motivates people of all ages and abilities to be active and ambitious, the new 1,850m² purpose-built centre in the heart of the borough’s town centre will house an array of climbing facilities that give everyone the chance to safely push their limits, try something new, and most importantly, have a bit of fun while doing it.

Set to be one of the most exciting facilities of its kind in Greater Manchester, Summit Up will be accessible for all the family – from complete novices, right through to seasoned climbers.

Climbing enthusiasts, schools, youth groups, corporate businesses, and more can get involved.

When it comes to the facilities on offer at the new Oldham centre, the star of the show will undoubtedly be the ‘Clip ‘n Climb’ –  a “fun climbing” concept that Summit Up wants to bring to the local community.

Designed by Entre-prises UK – the sole supplier of climbing walls for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – the unique Clip ‘n Climb concept is on offer at several outdoor activity centres all across the globe, but the Clip ‘n Climb at Summit Up in Oldham will actually be one of the highest and largest in the UK.

This means that visitors will be able to experience world-class walls as climbed by some of the best competitive climbers on earth.

Summit Up will be accessible for all the family, from complete novices, right through seasoned climbers / Credit: Summit Up

Clip ‘n Climb Oldham will feature 25 challenges, including the adrenaline-pumping ‘Leap of Faith’, the popular ‘Stairway to Heaven’, and a thrilling 10-metre ‘Vertical Drop Slide’, as well as two ValoClimb walls – which use world-first interactive gaming technology and are designed to boost fitness while offering a challenging alternative to traditional climbing. 

Summit Up arrives in Oldham ready to capture the excitement and enthusiasm that’s in the air after Sport Climbing was featured in the Olympic Games for the first time ever at Tokyo 2020, with all three Olympic disciplines of lead climbing, bouldering, and speed climbing on offer at the new centre.

It will be the only centre in Greater Manchester with an official speed climbing facility too.

And if all of that wasn’t as exciting enough as it is, the centre will also have a soft play area, dedicated party rooms, retail merchandise, and a ‘South Ridge’ cafe to stop off at for some well-deserved refreshments after a day of climbing.

Summit Up’s arrival in Oldham wouldn’t be possible without the help of The Stoller Charitable Trust – which is funding the building of the centre to “leave a lasting legacy” for the next generation of the Oldham community. 

The centre will also have a soft play area, dedicated party rooms, and a ‘South Ridge’ cafe / Credit: Summit Up

Oldham-born businessman Sir Norman Stoller founded the Trust in the 1980’s, and has since gone on to donate millions of pounds to worthy causes – particularly supporting disadvantaged children from the Oldham area.

“Climbing is very popular at present and we expect to attract up to 90,000 visitors a year,” explained Stephen Lowe, Manager of The Stoller Charitable Trust.

“The centre will be a huge boost to the area as all of the profits generated will be used for charitable causes that support the young people of Oldham.

“The purpose [of the Trust] has been to provide opportunities to raise aspirations, support Oldham’s young people to reach the height of their ability, and provide a helping hand when it is most needed.”

He added: “It is our hope that Summit Up will connect the community and create a lasting social venue in Oldham.”

Summit Up aims to be a space that inspires and motivates people of all ages and abilities to be active and ambitious / Credit: Summit Up

Summit Up is opening to the public on Saturday 18 September 2021.

The booking system is now live, so if you fancy being one of the first to experience Oldham’s new climbing centre and all it has to offer, head on over to the Summit Up website here to secure your slot.

You can also follow Summit Up on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ahead of its grand opening.

Featured Image – Summit Up

Oldham

Cooking classes aimed at getting students ready for university are taking place near Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A cooking workshop has launched just in time to teach students kitchen hacks as they prepare for university, and it’s less than an hour from Manchester. 

With September just around the corner and the inevitable bedroom-packing, car-cramming, finance-faffing action already underway, there’s only one thing left to box off – cooking.

That’s where Saddleworth Cookery School steps in, with a five hour culinary experience that hopes to teach aspiring academics how to chef up some budget-friendly foodie feasts.

Located in Diggle, this cooking class will not only provide you with some essential cooking skills, but also aim to boost your confidence in the kitchen environment ahead of university. 

There's a cooking workshop aimed at University students taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay
There's a cooking workshop aimed at University students taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay
A cooking workshop aimed at university students is taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay

Throughout the session, you will learn how to prepare meals for yourself that are healthy and cost-effective, and also tailored to students and their lifestyles.

This cooking class doesn’t just show you how to batch cook a meal or two either, they also provide reassurance for students who may be anxious about food safety, storage, and preparation.

The dishes made within the workshop can be adapted and modified to suit all dietary requirements subject to prior notice – meaning veggies and vegans, this one’s for you too.

Anyone looking to advance their kitchen knowledge or start from scratch must be 16 years or older, and you can also attend without a parent or guardian.

Each participant will leave the session with a selection of recipes, as well as a shopping list, and even a goody bag containing some starting essentials to becoming a kitchen conqueror.

Cooking for yourself may seem daunting, but this kitchen has lots of positive feedback – with one user noting: “Thank you so much Pam and her wonderful, helpful and welcoming team,” while another added: “Kate taught us tons of recipes in a super relaxed and friendly setting.”

Read more:

The ‘Get ready for University Cooking Class’ is taking place at Saddleworth Cookery School in Diggle across a range of dates, and you can find key info and get in touch with them directly HERE.

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

Featured Images – Kevin McCutcheon via Unsplash

Oldham

Police appeal for witnesses after body of woman recovered from reservoir in Oldham

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An urgent appeal for witnesses has been issued after the body of a woman was recovered from a reservoir in Oldham.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir, in Oldham, after receiving reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water this past weekend. 

The incident was said to have taken place at around 4:50pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.

Sadly, despite the prompt call to emergency services, the woman lost her life and her body was subsequently recovered from the water.

Police say there are believed to be ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the woman’s death, and are instead focusing their investigations on trying to understand what happened by calling on witnesses for information. 

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her as she entered the water,” GMP said in its witness appeal.

Officers are also keep to learn more about the moments prior to her entering the water, and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help with enquiries. 

Read more:

Can you help?

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or by use the LiveChat service on the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk.  

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons / Geograph

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