Springhead, Greater Manchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Springhead |
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.jpg) Oldham Road, Springhead |
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 Springhead
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| OS grid reference | SD961045 |
| Civil parish |
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| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | OLDHAM |
| Postcode district | OL4 |
| Dialling code | 0161 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Springhead is a lovely suburban area located in Greater Manchester, England. It's part of the Saddleworth parish, which is within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.
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About Springhead
Springhead is found near the eastern edge of the Greater Manchester Urban Area. It sits right next to the village of Lees. It also borders other areas of Saddleworth like Austerlands, Scouthead, and Grotton.
The name Springhead comes from an old house called Springhead House. This house had a fresh water spring on its land. Long ago, Springhead was its own special area called an urban district in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Life in Springhead
The main center of Springhead is its Post Office. There is also a community center where people can gather. Kids in the area go to Springhead Infant and Nursery School or Knowsley Junior School.
Sports are important here too! The local football team, Springhead A.F.C., plays in the Manchester Football League. The cricket team, Springhead CCC, plays in the Greater Manchester Cricket League.
In March 2022, people asked the local council to build new homes. They wanted to build 158 homes on the old Springhead Quarry site. This area is now a protected place for nature.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Springhead and the nearby village of Grasscroft faced challenges. The community worked together to stay safe and healthy.
Getting Around Springhead
You can get around Springhead using local bus services. These buses are run by companies like First Greater Manchester, M Travel (Manchester), and Stagecoach Manchester.
The Old Railway Line
Springhead once had its own train station called Grotton and Springhead railway station. People used to call it the 'Delph Donkey'. This was because the train service used to go all the way to Delph.
Passenger trains stopped running in 1955, and the railway line closed completely in 1963. Now, the train tracks are gone. In their place, there is a special path for walking and horse riding called a bridle path. This path follows a long part of the old railway route.
Springhead's Traditions
In the Higher Springhead area, there's a fun and old tradition. On a day called Whit Friday, the local mayor leads the town's brass band contest. The mayor wears a special ceremonial clog iron. This is a heavy metal piece from a wooden shoe.
The clog iron hangs on a chain, and it has barrel-shaped tags. These tags are engraved with the names of all the mayors from past years. This unique tradition started in the late 1940s in the nearby village of Austerlands.
Famous People from Springhead
Springhead has been home to some notable people:
- Judith Barker (born 1943) is a television actress.
- Herman Hilton (1894–1947) was a rugby league footballer.
- Annie Kenney (1879–1953) was an English working-class suffragette. A suffragette was a woman who fought for the right to vote.
- Thomas Steele (1891–1978) received the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the British armed forces.
