I absolutely loved this article - and the history it offered. Thank you. I used to work in Oldham and although I don't do this commute I am going to start looking out for more dialect poems from Manchester and the surrounding areas.
At the risk of being nerdy, I was part of the Rochdale metrolink design team. The intention was never to link Rochdale & Manc, rather to join up all the intermediate communities. Although it's nice that people can use it when the rail route is unavailable. Contrary to another comment, the communities overwhelmingly welcomed Metrolink, inc Rochdale.
It gets a lot of stick but we are so lucky to have the Metrolink (for those that live within a viable distance of its routes). Few years ago I did a week working at the library in Rochdale and got the tram from south Manchester all the way there, it took about an hour and 15 minutes in total. My friends thought I was mad but that 2 and a half hours of my day was incredibly cathartic.. Great read
Sorry, CJ, I'm with your friends on this. I once took the tram from East Didsbury to Milnrow (I'm summat in an office there) and the tedious hour and ten minutes was anything but cathartic. It was nothing to laugh at at all.
Enjoyed this, love a bit of Lancashire dialect now and again . My Dad used to try and explain who Ben Brierley was as we looked at his statue in Queens Park . I never quite got the gist of what he was saying.
This is fantastic. Aw were laughing m'hed off in t'van like a loony. And I will be looking for those poets for sure, your piece was highly enjoyable and informative, and gently humorous. Great piece :)
What a wonderful way to describe a journey through space and time. And to tell the story of the cultural roots of local mill towns and the poets who brought them to life.
I really enjoyed this article, very funny and witty. I've made this journey but it will no longer be long and boring but a poetry lesson and a good laugh. Thanks
Really entertaining article, very wittily written. Though when I used to leave my office to go visiting it was the cats of the working classes who used to terrify me.
I loved this article. I make the opposite journey on the Pink Line from Trafford to Oldham travelling through my childhood in South Chadderton and Cowhill (aesthetically rendered as next door Freehold at the tram stop), getting off at Oldham Central for Oldham Local Studies and Archives where we have the Sam Fitton archive and books by Failsworth's Ben Brierley, Milnrow's Tim Bobbin and Saddleworth's Ammon Wrigley, as well as dialect dictionaries to help you get your ear in.
I once overheard two women (both offcomers) in their early 20s discussing how many of the tram lines they had 'done', as in travelling to each end of the line. One was excited to finally be going to Altrincham. The only line she hadn't fully 'done' was the Pink. She'd been to Shaw and Crompton, but not Rochdale. Perhaps she'll read this piece and complete her tram bingo card while enjoying some Lancashire heritage.
Utterly delightful. Thanks. This is why The Mill is different.
What a lovely piece! Reminded me of my Grandfather who started working part time in the mills in Bolton aged 12. A wise man in so many ways.
One of his rather unfriendly observations was that a Yorkshire man is a Lancastrian with his brains kicked out. Harsh!
Thanks again.
I absolutely loved this article - and the history it offered. Thank you. I used to work in Oldham and although I don't do this commute I am going to start looking out for more dialect poems from Manchester and the surrounding areas.
At the risk of being nerdy, I was part of the Rochdale metrolink design team. The intention was never to link Rochdale & Manc, rather to join up all the intermediate communities. Although it's nice that people can use it when the rail route is unavailable. Contrary to another comment, the communities overwhelmingly welcomed Metrolink, inc Rochdale.
Eee, it’s a reet shame tha’ didna include Sholver in’t linkin’
Eeh, tha’ towd a greet tale, as’trammed many a mile ow’er the’are!
Ta muchly!
It gets a lot of stick but we are so lucky to have the Metrolink (for those that live within a viable distance of its routes). Few years ago I did a week working at the library in Rochdale and got the tram from south Manchester all the way there, it took about an hour and 15 minutes in total. My friends thought I was mad but that 2 and a half hours of my day was incredibly cathartic.. Great read
Sorry, CJ, I'm with your friends on this. I once took the tram from East Didsbury to Milnrow (I'm summat in an office there) and the tedious hour and ten minutes was anything but cathartic. It was nothing to laugh at at all.
This was a good article though.
Enjoyed this, love a bit of Lancashire dialect now and again . My Dad used to try and explain who Ben Brierley was as we looked at his statue in Queens Park . I never quite got the gist of what he was saying.
Unexpected but brilliant! This is what makes The Mill so unique.
Brilliant Saturday morning read - evocative, entertaining and educational - thanks!
This is fantastic. Aw were laughing m'hed off in t'van like a loony. And I will be looking for those poets for sure, your piece was highly enjoyable and informative, and gently humorous. Great piece :)
What a wonderful way to describe a journey through space and time. And to tell the story of the cultural roots of local mill towns and the poets who brought them to life.
Thank you.
Excellent piece, really made me chuckle, thanks Ophira.
I really enjoyed this article, very funny and witty. I've made this journey but it will no longer be long and boring but a poetry lesson and a good laugh. Thanks
Really entertaining article, very wittily written. Though when I used to leave my office to go visiting it was the cats of the working classes who used to terrify me.
I looked at the headline and thought I might skip this one; but what a joy. This piece gives a whole new perspective to our perceived 'daily grind'.
I loved this article. I make the opposite journey on the Pink Line from Trafford to Oldham travelling through my childhood in South Chadderton and Cowhill (aesthetically rendered as next door Freehold at the tram stop), getting off at Oldham Central for Oldham Local Studies and Archives where we have the Sam Fitton archive and books by Failsworth's Ben Brierley, Milnrow's Tim Bobbin and Saddleworth's Ammon Wrigley, as well as dialect dictionaries to help you get your ear in.
I once overheard two women (both offcomers) in their early 20s discussing how many of the tram lines they had 'done', as in travelling to each end of the line. One was excited to finally be going to Altrincham. The only line she hadn't fully 'done' was the Pink. She'd been to Shaw and Crompton, but not Rochdale. Perhaps she'll read this piece and complete her tram bingo card while enjoying some Lancashire heritage.