Northern Roots

13/03/2026

We’re honoured to connect with Cliff Murphy, an artist with a personal connection to the Northern Roots site.

Having grown up nearby, Cliff shared fond childhood memories of exploring the landscape and the buildings that once stood here, experiences that inspired artworks such as Belgravia Mill.

Speaking with our 12 Community Champions, Cliff brought the past to life, sharing forgotten names and stories that shaped the landscape as he remembers it; from Sheepwashes Brook (now culverted) and the Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge Victorian railway to the houses that once stood on Cherry Valley.

Cliff generously gifted us a print of Belgravia Mill and shared a beautiful custom map of the site, drawn from his own memories – thank you Cliff!

Make sure to check out Cliff’s artwork - https://www.thehawthorngallery.co.uk/HawthornGallery/Default/Translator.php?page=Main.html&subpage=/WebRetail/Pages/Shop/CreatorProducts.html?creator=1015&app=def&ref=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8=

This heritage research is made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

10/03/2026

Throwback to last week’s sunshine☀️

Our volunteers have played a key role in building the polytunnels, where we’ll be growing even more veg🥕

09/03/2026

Happy from Northern Roots!

This year’s theme is ‘Give to Gain’, so we’re celebrating the women of Oldham’s past who gave their time, knowledge, and livelihoods to making a better place.

Hear from Kiran and Roberta, local residents and Heritage Champions, as they bring the stories of these incredible women to life.

Our Heritage Champion roles are made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.


Images by kind permission of Gallery Oldham

06/03/2026

Alexandra Park, Oldham. Beautiful in every season, but especially in spring! 🌷🌞🌱

Alexandra Park opened in August 1865. It was constructed as a job creation scheme for unemployed cotton workers during the Lancashire Cotton Famine and is currently Grade 2 Listed.

Built by the people of for the people of Oldham. We are proud to call this stunning park our neighbour 💚

06/03/2026

📢 Be the first to see behind the scenes of Northern Roots brand new Welcome Building and Forestry Skills Centre through Willmott Dixon Open Door initiative!

06/03/2026

A huge thank you to Louise Sutherland of The National Lottery Heritage Fund for visiting Northern Roots. An opportunity to see our Welcome Building taking shape, meet our Heritage Champion team and talk about the power of to transform places and lives.

Northern Roots is developing a new model harnessing urban greenspace to economic and environmental regeneration, communal pride, entrepreneurship and wellbeing.

We are transforming 160-acres of neglected land in the heart of , Greater Manchester, into a unique hub and destination. In 2026, we open the doors to a beautiful new Welcome Building, Forestry Skills Centre and four more acres of urban farm – a milestone moment in a long-term, evolving project.

Historically, the Northern Roots site has housed two coal mines, two cotton mills, an industrial railway, a large, combined sewage outlet tank and the council rubbish tip. Around a third of the site is former landfill. From Roman roads and rubbish to vanished mills and the Beautiful Oldham Society, the soil and the landscape have stories to tell.

Funding from the Heritage Lottery has played a critical role in the development of Northern Roots. It has enabled us to develop and test our Natural Health Service, Learning and Events offers, and has supported key work on branding, marketing, interpretation, evaluation and co-creation.

Perhaps most importantly, we’ve been able to create paid, part-time roles like our Heritage Champion roles. These give people like the opportunity to explore aspects of the industrial, social and natural heritage of the Northern Roots site, and bring those to life for local communities and visitors.

https://northern-roots.uk/heritage-champion-gemma/

Historic images by kind permission of Gallery Oldham.

I love Oldham OLDHAM HISTORY Manchester Histories Festival

06/03/2026

This is Mental Health Football in ⚽️💚⚽️

Football, connection, support, fun. Every Friday, 7-8pm, Hathershaw College, Oldham. Everyone welcome.

48 at MHF on Friday 🗣️⚽

Another evening of football, chatting, laughter and people checking in with each other.

Different stories, different reasons for being there, but the same shared space of support and understanding. 💚

03/03/2026

Happy from Northern Roots, Oldham🦋

We’re a charity transforming 160-acres of urban greenspace into a unique community hub and visitor destination – a place where nature and people can thrive side by side.

Hear from Georgia, our Urban Farm and Landscape Manager, and our Citizen Ranger team, about how we’re supporting wildlife and boosting for years to come.

Along the way, we’re also uncovering the site’s fascinating . From Beautiful Oldham Society celebrations, cotton mills and Cherry Valley, to a busy Victorian railway line and its past as a rubbish tip, there are so many stories, buildings and lives that have shaped this landscape.

Visit our website to learn more about our land practices and heritage👉 https://northern-roots.uk/visit-us/

Heritage images from Gallery Oldham

Citizen Ranger roles made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund

27/02/2026

📢Deadline 12 midnight this Sunday - apply now!📢

Northern Roots is recruiting for a Finance Manager to join the charity as we move towards opening new facilities later this year.

If you’re an experienced Finance Manager looking for your next role in a rewarding and welcoming organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

For full details and to learn how to apply, visit our website👉 https://northern-roots.uk/opportunities/jobs-volunteering/

I love Oldham Get Oldham Working Jobs in Manchester Charity Job Finder Guardian Jobs

27/02/2026

Looking for free, fun and creative family-friendly activities this weekend in ?

Check out this paper-making session by The University of Manchester at Gallery Oldham 👇

27/02/2026

Fancy a fun, friendly Friday night kickabout?

Get in touch with the team at Mental Health Football and get involved ⚽️🙌⚽️

It's MHF Friday! 💚⚽

Fancy a game of football tonight with no pressure or expectations? Play, or watch and have a chat with a great group of friendly, welcoming people.

7pm - 8pm on the outdoor 3G at The Hathershaw College. Newcomers welcome.

24/02/2026

Northern Roots is recruiting for a Finance Manager to join the charity as we move towards opening new facilities later this year.

If you’re an experienced Finance Manager looking for your next role in a rewarding and welcoming organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

For full details and to learn how to apply, visit our website👉 https://northern-roots.uk/opportunities/jobs-volunteering/

Application deadline 12 midnight on Sunday 1st March 2026.

I love Oldham Get Oldham Working Jobs in Manchester Charity Job Finder Guardian Jobs