Lees, Greater Manchester
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lees is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England.[1] With a population of 10,132, it is nine miles (14.5 km) northeast of the City of Manchester and two miles (3.2 km) east of Oldham.
Historically part of Lancashire, Lees lies on the steep foothills of the Pennines bordering Springhead in Saddleworth. The border between the two is known locally as "County End", as this forms part of the ancient county boundary between Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire.
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[edit] Geography and administration
The village consists of a small cluster of shops and businesses on either side of the A669 Lees Road, surrounded by some terraced houses and some small estates. Lees is separated from the main conurbation of Oldham by a small amount of green belt land in the valley of Leesbrook, on either bank of the River Medlock.
Between 1894 and 1974, Lees constituted Lees Urban District, in the administrative county of Lancashire. As it was situated entirely between the county borough of Oldham and the West Riding of Yorkshire, it constituted an exclave of the administrative county of Lancashire.
[edit] History
[edit] Early history
The settlement dates back to the 14th Century, and is thought to have been named after former retainer of the manor, John de Leghes.[citation needed] In the early 19th Century the village gained a reputation for its mineral springs, but the Industrial Revolution brought cotton spinning to the town in the form of eleven mills, changing the character of the village completely (as indeed the rest of the wider Oldham area).
[edit] Recent growth
Lees has grown in size recently in terms of both amenities and residential population, in its role as a commuter village for people working in Oldham and West Yorkshire. It is also home to several medium-scale commercial and distribution companies. The main street is notable for the number of Pubs in close proximity. Starting with the "Lees Brook", then "The Angel" followed by "The Oddfellows", "The Swan" and finally "The Red Lion" with further up the hill (technically in Springhead) "The Railway & Commercial" AKA "The Front House" and "The Commercial" AKA "The Top House"
A Saddleworth & Lees area committee meets regularly to discuss the progress of the villages.
[edit] Notable residents
- Helen Bradley, acclaimed artist.
[edit] References
- ^ "Official British Place Name Archives - Lees", Greater Manchester County Records Office - URL accessed June 13, 2006
[edit] External link
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