Failsworth

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Failsworth

Statistics

Population:

20,555 (2001 census)

Ordnance Survey

OS grid reference:

SD8901

Administration

Metropolitan Borough:

Other

Services

Greater Manchester Police

Fire and rescue:

{{{Fire}}}

Ambulance:

North West

Post office and telephone

Post town:

OLDHAM

Postal district:

M35

Dialling code:

0161

Politics

Failsworth is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, North West England. It is a predominantly residential area that directly links the town of Oldham to the city of Manchester.

Whilst now a populous urban area, it was an area of unspoilt countryside until the boom of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

1 Geography and administration
2 History
3 Landmarks
4 Industry and commerce
5 Notable Residents
6 Future developments
7 External links

[edit] Geography and administration

Failsworth is locally administered by Metropolitan Borough of Oldham , and contains two of the twenty wards of the Borough, Failsworth East and Failsworth West.

Failsworth forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne and is represented in the House of Commons by David Heyes MP.

[edit] History

	Little more than 300 years ago its population was over just 1,000; today it is about 20,555 (2001 Census). Farming was the main industry of the area with villagers supplementing their meagre incomes by hand-loom weaving until the advent of cotton and the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the Local Government Act 1974, which created the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Failsworth was adminstered by the Failsworth Urban District Council from the town hall on Oldham Road. There is still much upset from Failsworth Folk that they were merged with Oldham, as many feel more connection with the City of Manchester, which is closer to most parts of the town than Oldham.^{[citation needed]} Many local groups and organisations such at the Failsworth Historical Society, Failsworth Carnival and other continue to use the crest of the former Failworth Urban District Council, shown to the left. The towns motto is "True worth never fails".

[edit] Landmarks

A major landmark of the area is Failsworth Pole on Oldham Road. The first 'political pole' was erected in 1793 although a local historian suggests there were others before and that maypoles probably stood on the site for centuries. The pole that now stands on the site replaces one blown down in 1950. The pole and its gardens have recently undergone a £400,000 makeover which saw the clocktower brought back to its former status and the erection of a bronze statue of Benjamin Brierley. For further information see the booklet 'The History of the Failsworth Pole and Ben Brierley Statue' by Councillor Jim McMahon (politician) and John Crompton, Chairman, Failsworth Historical Society published to commemorate the official opening in June 2006.

The Failsworth Pole is not the only landmark to grace the A62 Oldham Road through the town. At its junction with Ashton Road West stands the cenotaph, built in 1923 in remembrance to over 200 Failsworth men who lost their lives in the First World War. Attendances at the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday remain high, averaging around 1500 people.^{[citation needed]} The annual Remembrance parade is lead by the Territorial Army, also based on Oldham Road.

The War Memorial Steering Group has been established to improve the cenotaph and the memorial gardens which are due to undergo a £100,000 makeover.

Despite being close to both Oldham town, and Manchester city centres, Failsworth has a hidden jewel in Daisy Nook Country Park, which provides a welcome break from the urban mass of the suburbs.

[edit] Industry and commerce

Failsworth was once a centre for the production of hats. Manufacture began as a cottage industry before the firm of Failsworth Hats was set up in 1892 to manufacture silk hats. For a time the company operated from a factory near the former Failsworth Council offices and remains in the area to this day. Today, Failsworth's main areas of economic activities are in electrical goods manufacture through Pifco Limited, and plastic producers and distributors Hubron Limited. Many Failsworth residents work in Manchester, with many commuters choosing to live in the area because of its good transport links, including train services from Failsworth railway station on the Oldham Loop Line.

[edit] Notable Residents

Michael Atherton ex-England Cricket Captain

Benjamin Brierley Poet and Essayist

David Heyes MP for The Ashton under Lyne constituency

Mani (Gary Mounfield) of Stone Roses & Primal Scream

Danny Seymour lead singer of Swabian League

[edit] Future developments

Failsworth is seeing regeneration in its town centre with the announcement of a new Tesco superstore which, it is claimed, will bring life back into the district. As part of the redevelopment a new £2.5 million community centre will be built, together with luxury apartments overlooking the Rochdale Canal.