Denshaw

There is evidence of Stone Age activity around Denshaw; in 2004 Saddleworth Archaeological Trust objected to the construction of a wind farm on a site on Denshaw Moor which had produced more than 200 Mesolithic artefacts.{{cite web |title=Bronze Age dagger retrieved near proposed windfarm |url=http://www.stonepages.com/news/archives/000575.html |publisher=Stonepages.com |date=14 February 2004 |access-date=17 April 2008}} Human activity in Denshaw continued in the Bronze Age, as demonstrated by the discovery of a palstave on Wall Green in 1932, when a trench was being dug for a water pipe,{{cite PastScape|mnumber=46028 |access-date=17 April 2008}} and some tools from Denshaw Moor, on the site of the proposed wind farm, which include a ceremonial flint dagger. A Roman road may also cross the site.

The name Denshaw is derived from Old Norse, suggesting a settlement may have existed there during the period of the Danelaw. Denshaw Fold, the oldest part of the village, is an isolated hamlet of ancient origin. Many of the traditional stone dwellings are listed buildings and are descendants of the cluster of houses first built in the locality during the 16th century. Around 1795, the Junction Inn at Denshaw was erected. It served as a posting house on the Ripponden-to-Oldham turnpike road (opened in 1798) for the changing of horses and the provision of refreshments.Daly, J. D. (N.D.). p. 63.

File:Dowry Reservoir.jpg.]]

Denshaw did not experience the same rate of urbanisation and industrialisation as its surrounding settlements during the Industrial Revolution, and it did not become a mill town or a centre of the local cotton mill boom as did nearby Rochdale, Milnrow and Oldham.{{cite book|author1=McNeil, R. |author2=Nevell, M|title=A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Greater Manchester|publisher=Association for Industrial Archaeology|year=2000|isbn=0-9528930-3-7}} However, Denshaw Vale was a calico printing factory which was "an important concern that employed a workforce of 150" during the 19th century.{{Harvnb|Fox|Fox|2001|p=11}}. Furthermore, Denshaw was chosen as the site of a reservoir which local mills were to contribute monies and thereby use;Daly, J. D. (N.D.). p. 74. In 1828, Rackenden Deign Reservoir was built by Denshaw to provide for 24 watermills.Daly, J. D. (N.D.). p. 79. In 1818 an Oddfellows Lodge was erected in the village.{{NHLE |num=1163373 |desc=Denshaw Oddfellows Lodge |access-date=18 April 2008}} In 1887, Denshaw was documented having a population of 1,279.{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp?text_id=1635950&word=NULL|title=Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Denshaw|publisher=University of Portsmouth|access-date=18 April 2008|author=Great Britain Historical GIS Project|year=2004|work=A vision of Britain through time}}

In 2003, energy company E.ON UK proposed the installation of seven {{convert|350|ft|m|0|adj=on}} wind turbines at Denshaw. This was met with opposition from the local and wider communities, culminating in the Saddleworth Moors Action Group, who were joined by environmentalist David Bellamy.{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/news/s/533086_putting_wind_up_eon|title=Putting wind up E.ON|date=3 October 2007|access-date=17 April 2008|publisher=M.E.N. Media|work=Oldham Advertiser|archive-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922091741/http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/news/s/533086_putting_wind_up_eon|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6649685.stm|date=12 May 2007|access-date=17 April 2008|title=Plans for moor wind farm scrapped|work=BBC News}} The council received over 1,000 letters objecting to the proposed wind farm, and although initially accepted by the former Liberal Democrat local authority, the application was rejected by Labour-controlled Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council on 1 March 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.eon-uk.com/generation/denshawmoor.aspx|publisher=eon-uk.com|title=Denshaw Moor|access-date=17 April 2008}}

On 23 May 2007, Denshaw's post office (which doubled-up as the village's only shop){{cite web|url=http://www.oldham.gov.uk/saddleworth___lees_area_plan_-_april_04b.pdf |title=Saddleworth and Lees Area Plan |date=January 2004 |access-date=19 April 2008 |publisher=oldham.gov.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820100308/http://www.oldham.gov.uk/saddleworth___lees_area_plan_-_april_04b.pdf |archive-date=20 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |title=Fresh hope for threatened post office|newspaper=Oldham Evening Chronicle|pages=15|date=7 May 2008 }} was the centre of a robbery.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gmp.police.uk/division12/epages/27cd67e966bfed75802572e4004c2d27 |publisher=gmp.police.uk |author=Greater Manchester Police |author-link=Greater Manchester Police |access-date=19 April 2008 |title=Postmistress threatened in armed robbery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423085709/http://www.gmp.police.uk/division12/epages/27cd67e966bfed75802572e4004c2d27 |archive-date=23 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} The "tiny premises" had been under threat of closure owing to Post Office's modernisation plans and has since closed.{{cite news|title=Convenience Store with a Difference|url=https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/91096/convenience-store-with-a-difference|access-date=2 November 2019|work=Oldham Evening Chronicle|date=3 April 2015}}

File:Denshaw RamsHeadInnSep2019a.jpg, seen from The Rams Head Inn]]

On 17 April 2008, local, national and international media reported on Denshaw's entry on Wikipedia which had been vandalised with spoof information,{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1045647_denshaw_and_the_wicked_whispers|publisher=manchestereveningnews.co.uk|title=Denshaw and the wicked whispers|date=18 April 2008|access-date=18 April 2008|author=Keegan, Mike}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} although the offending material was removed after initial reports were published.{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=143544&in_page_id=34|publisher=metro.co.uk|date=17 April 2008|access-date=18 April 2008|title=Village ridiculed by Wikipedia hijackers}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/18/ndenshaw118.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421011031/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/18/ndenshaw118.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 April 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|author=Adams, Stephen|title=Village of Denshaw falls victim to Wikipedia hackers|date=18 April 2008|access-date=18 April 2008}} The story featured on the BBC's North West Tonight, a regional news programme,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7353530.stm|title=Village web portrayal joke|date=17 April 2008|access-date=17 April 2008|work=BBC News}} and later picked up by news services as far away as Pakistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C19%5Cstory_19-4-2008_pg9_14|title=Pennine village "devastated by tapeworm"|work=Daily Times|date=19 April 2008|access-date=19 April 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422210557/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C19%5Cstory_19-4-2008_pg9_14|archive-date=22 April 2008}}

Lying within the ancient county boundaries of Yorkshire since a very early time, during the Middle Ages, Denshaw lay within the Saddleworth chapelry of the ancient parish of Rochdale. Like the other Yorkshire areas of the ancient parish, it was in the wapentake of Agbrigg in Yorkshire, with the Lancashire areas of the ancient parish being in Salfordshire.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Guides/Gazeteer/gazzd.htm|title=Greater Manchester Gazetteer|publisher=Greater Manchester County Record Office|access-date=9 July 2007|at=Places names – D to F|archive-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718144332/http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Guides/Gazeteer/gazzd.htm}}Youngs, F. A. (1991). page 600, under the entry for Saddleworth.

The Byrons (including Romantic poet George Gordon Byron) were prominent land owners in Denshaw.Daly, J. D. (N.D.). p. 72. Denshaw was created an ecclesiastical parish in 1864,{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10416991|publisher=University of Portsmouth|title=Denshaw EP through time. Census tables with data for the Ecclesiastical Parish|access-date=17 April 2008|author=Great Britain Historical GIS Project|year=2004|work=A vision of Britain through time}} out of the former Friarmere parochial chapelry.{{Cite web|url=http://www.saddleworth-historical-society.org.uk/overview/overview.htm|title=Saddleworth – An Overview|access-date=18 April 2008|publisher=saddleworth-historical-society.org.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423040118/http://www.saddleworth-historical-society.org.uk/overview/overview.htm|archive-date=23 April 2008}} It was in the deanery of Ashton-under-Lyne from 1864 to 1872. It then became part of Rochdale deanery until 1881 when it again became part of Ashton-under-Lyne. In 1929, it transferred to Oldham deanery.Youngs, F. A. (1991). p. 535. It is currently in Saddleworth Deanery, part of the Archdeanery of Rochdale, in the Anglican Diocese of Manchester.{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchester.anglican.org/churches.asp?DeaneryCode=21|access-date=17 April 2008|publisher=manchester.anglican.org|title=Rochdale Archdeaconry – Saddleworth Deanery|archive-date=1 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501000828/http://www.manchester.anglican.org/churches.asp?DeaneryCode=21|url-status=dead}}

From 1894 to 1900, Denshaw lay within Saddleworth Rural District, a local government district in the administrative County of York, West Riding. In 1900, Denshaw was merged into Saddleworth Urban District, where it stayed until 1974. Under the Local Government Act 1972, the Saddleworth Urban District was abolished, and Denshaw has, since 1 April 1974, formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, within Greater Manchester.HMSO. Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70. Denshaw lies within the Saddleworth North electoral ward.{{cite web|url=http://www.oldham.gov.uk/council/councillors/saddleworth-north.htm|title=Councillors for Saddleworth North|access-date=18 April 2008|author=Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council|publisher=oldham.gov.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422200549/http://www.oldham.gov.uk/council/councillors/saddleworth-north.htm|archive-date=22 April 2008}}

Since 1997, Denshaw has formed part of the parliamentary constituency of Oldham East and Saddleworth, and is represented in the House of Commons by Debbie Abrahams, a member of the Labour Party. Between 1983 and 1997 it was in the Littleborough and Saddleworth constituency.

{{Geographic location

|title = Neighbouring towns, villages and places.

|Northwest = Newhey

|North = Piethorne Valley

|Northeast = Marsden

|West = Shaw and Crompton

|Centre = Denshaw

|East = Castleshaw

|Southwest = Sholver

|South = Scouthead

|Southeast = Delph

}}

At {{Coord|53|35|32|N|2|2|19|W|type:city}} (53.5921°, −2.0385°) and {{convert|165|mi|km|0}} north-northwest of London, Denshaw stands about {{convert|990|ft|m|0}} above sea level, {{convert|11.4|mi|km|1}} northeast of Manchester city centre, on elevated Pennine ground by the River Tame, which flows southwesterly from its source near the Dowry and New Year's Bridge reservoirs. The land-use of Denshaw, which centres on a road junction, is predominantly residential, the outlying land being a mixture of permanent grassland and heath.{{cite book|title=Philip's Modern School Atlas: Lancashire Edition|year=1965|publisher=George Philip and Son|edition=62|page=I|editor=Fullard, H.}}

Denshaw lies amongst the South Pennines, and is topographically characterised by hilly, upland terrain. Denshaw is not contiguous with any other settlement and for purposes of the Office for National Statistics, does not form part of the Greater Manchester Urban Area.{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_urban_north_part_5.pdf |title=Census 2001:Key Statistics for urban areas in the North; Map 3 |author=Office for National Statistics |author-link=Office for National Statistics |publisher=statistics.gov.uk |access-date=17 April 2008 |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070109141715/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_urban_north_part_5.pdf |archive-date=9 January 2007}}

Denshaw experiences a temperate maritime climate, like much of the British Isles, with relatively cool summers and mild winters. There is regular but generally light precipitation throughout the year.

There are a number of small named-localities in and around Denshaw, including Denshaw Fold, Cherry Clough, Junction, Old Tame, Slackcote, Grains Bar and Woodbrow.

{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

File:Denshaw War Memorial.jpg

Christ Church is Denshaw's parish church. It is part of the Church of England and lies within the Anglican Diocese of Manchester.{{cite web|url=http://www.manchester.anglican.org/churches_detail.asp?ID=335|publisher=manchester.anglican.org|title=Denshaw, Christ Church|access-date=17 April 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424030157/http://www.manchester.anglican.org/churches_detail.asp?ID=335|archive-date=24 April 2008}} A Grade II listed building since 19 June 1967, Christ Church dates from 1863, the year before Denshaw became an ecclesiastical parish.{{NHLE |num=1067438 |desc=Christ Church, Denshaw |access-date=17 April 2008}} It was built by Henry Gartside, a resident of Denshaw.

Denshaw War Memorial lies within the churchyard. It was erected by public subscription "in honour of the men who fell and served" in the First and Second World Wars. The monument has Rolls of Honour containing the 32 names of those from Denshaw who fought and died in these wars.{{cite web|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/Misc/PhotoTs/WRY/DenshawWM_0_WM.html |publisher=genuki.org.uk |access-date=17 April 2008 |title=Denshaw, War Memorial transcription |date=25 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423045830/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/Misc/PhotoTs/WRY/DenshawWM_0_WM.html |archive-date=23 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Denshaw lies {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1}} south of the M62 motorway, at a road junction where the A640, A672 and A6052 roads intersect. There are no rail services in Denshaw. Following closure of the Oldham Loop Line, the nearest railway station to Denshaw is located at Greenfield.

Denshaw is served by the 356 bus service previously ran by Nexus Move (Ashton-Under-Lyne) that runs between Oldham, Denshaw, Diggle, Uppermill, Greenfield, Mossley, Stalybridge and Ashton-under-Lyne. The service runs hourly on Weekdays and Saturdays, with service on Sunday dropping to every two hours. Since the 5th of January 2025, the 356 is now under the control of the Bee Network and is contracted to Diamond Bus North West as part of Tranche 3 of franchising.

Denshaw was previously served by routes such as the 407 between Denshaw and Oldham via Moorside. The 407 ran hourly daily with all days expect Sundays being run by Stotts Tours with Sunday runs being covered by Stagecoach Manchester. Additionally, Denshaw was served by the 354 bus route that ran towards Ashton-under-Lyne following the route of the modern day 356. During its time of operation, it was run by First Greater Manchester every two hours Mon-Sun with a Local Link Demand-responsive transport system covering the evening journeys.

File:356 Mellor.jpg

File:Denshaw Brass.jpg

Denshaw is noted for its annual brass band contest, held on every Whit Friday.{{cite web|url=http://denshawbrass2005.fotopic.net/|publisher=denshawbrass2005.fotopic.net|year=2005|access-date=18 April 2008|title=Denshaw Brass 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126011544/http://denshawbrass2005.fotopic.net/|archive-date=26 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/intro.html|publisher=whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org|title=The Whit Friday Brass Band Contests|access-date=18 April 2008}} The Denshaw Whit Friday Band Contest was established in 1993 and in its first year attracted 25 bands.{{cite web|url=http://www.denshawcontest.co.uk/index_files/Page352.htm |publisher=denshawcontest.co.uk |title=About The Contest |access-date=18 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422213952/http://www.denshawcontest.co.uk/index_files/Page352.htm |archive-date=22 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Denshaw has a primary school named Christ Church Primary.{{cite web |title=Schools in Oldham |url=http://www.oldham.gov.uk/learning/schools_in_oldham.htm?schoolList=Alexandra+Park+School&area=Chadderton&all=primary&choice=4&B1=Submit |publisher=Oldham.gov.uk |access-date=17 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422200558/http://www.oldham.gov.uk/learning/schools_in_oldham.htm?schoolList=Alexandra+Park+School&area=Chadderton&all=primary&choice=4&B1=Submit |archive-date=22 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} It is a denominational school with the Church of England, linked with Denshaw's parish church.

Denshaw village hall is the home of an amateur dramatic group and hosts various village activities;{{cite web |title=Saddleworth an Lees local matters: Refurbished village hall a focal point |url=http://www.oldham.gov.uk/saddleworth_lees_issue_cc_newsletter_308.pdf |publisher=Oldham.gov.uk |date=March 2008 |access-date=17 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202070944/http://www.oldham.gov.uk/saddleworth_lees_issue_cc_newsletter_308.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2008}} the hall was awarded a grant of £10,000 by the Awards for All scheme, a small grants scheme run by the National Lottery.{{cite web |title=Awards for All in England |url=http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/index.html |publisher=AwardsforAll.org.uk |access-date=17 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404000216/http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/index.html |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Denshaw is referred to in Barclay James Harvest's 1993 song Ballad of Denshaw Mill.{{cite web|url=http://www.bjharvest.co.uk/caught.htm#ballad|publisher=bjharvest.co.uk|title=Caught in the Light: Ballad of Denshaw Mill|access-date=17 April 2008}}

Home Office policing in Denshaw is provided by the Greater Manchester Police. The force's "(Q) Division" have their headquarters for policing the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham at central Oldham; Denshaw's nearest police station is at Uppermill.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gmp.police.uk/division12/pages/saddleworthlees.htm |publisher=gmp.police.uk |author=Greater Manchester Police |author-link=Greater Manchester Police |date=25 January 2006 |access-date=19 April 2008 |title=Profile of Saddleworth and Lees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103214158/http://www.gmp.police.uk/division12/pages/saddleworthlees.htm |archive-date=3 November 2007 |url-status=dead}} Public transport is co-ordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester. Statutory emergency fire and rescue service is provided by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

There are no hospitals in Denshaw, the nearest being the Royal Oldham Hospital, in neighbouring Oldham. Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is the local NHS Trust. The North West Ambulance Service provides emergency patient transport to and from Denshaw. Other forms of health care are provided for locally by several small clinics and surgeries in and around Saddleworth.

Waste management is co-ordinated by the local authority via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmwda.gov.uk/|title=Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA)|publisher=gmwda.gov.uk|author=Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority|author-link=Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority|year=2008|access-date=8 February 2008}} Locally produced inert waste for disposal is sent to landfill at the Beal Valley.{{cite web|url=http://www.oldham.gov.uk/minerals-waste.htm |title=Minerals and Waste development planning |author=Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council |publisher=oldham.gov.uk |date=n.d. |access-date=8 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422200621/http://www.oldham.gov.uk/minerals-waste.htm |archive-date=22 April 2008}} Denshaw's distribution network operator for electricity is United Utilities.{{cite web|url=http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=4188&ID=1442|title=Oldham|publisher=unitedutilities.com|author=United Utilities|author-link=United Utilities|date=17 April 2007|access-date=8 February 2008}} United Utilities also manages Denshaw's drinking and waste water; water supplies being sourced from several local reservoirs, including Dovestone and Chew.{{cite web|url=http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=445&ID=3526 |title=Dove Stone Reservoirs|publisher=unitedutilities.com|author=United Utilities|author-link=United Utilities|date=17 April 2007|access-date=8 February 2008}}

{{portal|Greater Manchester}}

• Listed buildings in Saddleworth

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=Oldham From the XX Legion to the 20th Century|first=J.D|last=Daly|isbn=5-00-091284-5|date=n.d.}}
• {{cite book|title=Images of England: Saddleworth|first1=Michael|last1=Fox|last2=Fox|first2=Peter|publisher=Tempus|year=2001|isbn=0-7524-2275-8|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire}}
• {{cite book|last=Youngs |first=F. A. |year=1991 |title=Guide to the local administrative units of England. (Volume 1: Northern England) |location=London |publisher=Royal Historical Society |isbn=0-86193-127-0}}

{{refend}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080411210917/http://www.denshaw.net/ www.denshaw.net], Denshaw village life.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080422164000/http://www.aroundsaddleworth.co.uk/Old-Website/denshaw1.htm www.aroundsaddleworth.co.uk], entry about Denshaw.

{{Settlements of Saddleworth}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Geography of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham

Category:Villages in Greater Manchester

Category:Towns and villages of the Peak District

Category:Saddleworth