Greenfield, Greater Manchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenfield |
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 The Obelisk on Alderman's Hill (Pots and Pans) overlooking Greenfield towards Oldham |
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 Greenfield
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| Population | 1,831 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SD995061 |
| Civil parish |
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| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | OLDHAM |
| Postcode district | OL3 |
| Dialling code | 01457 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Greenfield is a village in Greater Manchester, England. It's part of the Saddleworth area. The village is about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) east of Oldham and 21 kilometres (13 miles) north-east of Manchester.
Greenfield is located in a beautiful countryside area. It sits at the southern edge of the South Pennines hills. To the east, you'll find Dovestone Reservoir, Chew Reservoir, and Greenfield Reservoir. These are all within the Peak District National Park.
Historically, Greenfield was part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is located in the Chew Valley. The main road through the village is the A635 road, which connects Ashton-under-Lyne to Holmfirth.
Contents
A Look Back: Greenfield's History
Ancient Roads and Early Homes
A very old Roman road once passed through the hills near Saddleworth. This road connected Roman forts in Glossop and Castleshaw. It went right through Greenfield and crossed Chew Brook at a place called Packhorse Bridge.
Many of the old stone houses in Saddleworth were built in the 1600s. These homes belonged to farmers and people who wove wool by hand. The first industrial weaving machines were also designed and built in Saddleworth.
Engineering Marvels and Inventions
England's highest church, called 'The Heights', is located here. Also, the longest canal tunnel in the UK, the Standedge Tunnel, is nearby. This tunnel was built in the late 1700s and was a project by the famous engineer Thomas Telford.
In the 1970s, the world's first rock climbers' sit harness was invented in Saddleworth. Today, most climbing harnesses are based on this original design.
Village Culture and Music
A famous poem called Jone o Grinfilt was written about a made-up person from Greenfield. The poem was meant to make fun of people living in the countryside. It was written in the local dialect and was very popular in the 1800s.
In 1849, the Boarshurst Silver Band was started as the village's own band. This brass band is still playing music today! You can find out more about them here.
How Greenfield is Governed
Changes in Local Government
Greenfield used to be part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Before 1974, it was managed by the West Riding County Council. This caused some problems. For example, the village's fire service was based far away in Holmfirth. This was especially difficult in winter when roads were often blocked by snow and ice.
In 1974, Greenfield became part of the new Greater Manchester County Council. When that council was closed down in 1986, Greenfield came under the care of Oldham Borough Council.
Exploring Greenfield's Geography
Reservoirs and Natural Beauty
Greenfield is at the western end of the Chew Valley. It's on the edge of the South Pennines, with the Peak District National Park to its east. The village has four reservoirs. Three of them are connected: Greenfield, Yeoman Hey, and Dovestones.
The fourth, Chew Reservoir, is at the very top of Chew Valley. It's the highest man-made reservoir in England! You can find a yachting club on Dovestone Reservoir, which is the largest. There are also many walking paths around the first three reservoirs. A steep path connects Dovestones to Chew Reservoir. Much of the area around these reservoirs is inside the Peak District National Park.
Sports and Community Life
Greenfield is home to an amateur rugby league team called Saddleworth Rangers. There are also two cricket clubs: Greenfield Cricket Club and Saddleworth Cricket Club. The village has two schools for younger children and three churches (one Methodist and two Anglican).
Important Landmarks in Greenfield
Pots and Pans Hill
Pots and Pans is a well-known hill that overlooks Greenfield. It's where the Saddleworth war memorial stands. This memorial was built in 1923 and is a Grade II listed building, meaning it's historically important.
The memorial is about 365 metres (1,200 feet) above sea level. You can see it from seven of the ten villages that make up Saddleworth. Every year on Remembrance Sunday, a special service is held there.
Getting Around Greenfield
Train Services
Greenfield railway station is on the Huddersfield Line. Trains run east towards Huddersfield, stopping at Marsden and Slaithwaite. Westbound trains go towards Manchester Piccadilly, passing through Mossley, Stalybridge, and Ashton-under-Lyne. Some trains also offer direct connections to Leeds, York, Saltburn, and Hull.
Greenfield is the only place in Saddleworth and the entire Metropolitan Borough of Oldham that still has a National Rail station. Other nearby stations closed down in the 1950s and 1960s.
Another train line, the Micklehurst Line, used to go through the village. It was mainly used for carrying goods. This line closed in 1966, and its bridges were removed in the mid-1970s. Now, much of the old route is a bridleway for walkers and cyclists.
Bus Services
Bus services in Greenfield are mostly run by Stagecoach Manchester as part of the Bee Network. You can catch buses to Manchester Piccadilly (via Oldham), Huddersfield (via Diggle), and Ashton-under-Lyne. South Pennine Community Transport also connects Greenfield with Holmfirth and offers services to Ashton-under-Lyne and Uppermill.
Greenfield's Culture and Events
Greenfield is one of the towns and villages that hosts an annual Whit Friday brass band contest. This is a big event where many brass bands compete. The yearly Road End Fair is also held in the village center every Maundy Thursday.
Famous People from Greenfield
- Hervey Rhodes, Baron Rhodes was from Greenfield. He was an important person in local government, serving as the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire from 1968 to 1971. He was also a Deputy-Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester in 1974.
See also
- Listed buildings in Saddleworth
