More than 500 years after the Wars of the Roses, parts of historic Yorkshire and Lancashire will together choose the successor to the Greater Manchester mayor. Saddleworth, historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, was absorbed into Greater Manchester in 1974 and remains in Oldham.
Many unaware of election
With voters going to the polls on July 30 to replace Prime Minister Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester, many in the village of Uppermill did not know they would be deciding. A number of people told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they did not know about the election or lacked interest, with some saying no campaign leaflets arrived.
Saddleworth does not appear to be a key target for campaigners.
Mixed views on identity
Christine, who has lived in the area for 57 years, said being part of Greater Manchester "doesn't sit very well. It never has. It was the West Riding of Yorkshire and it was taken out." She said when in the West Riding, "everything got done" including leaf sweeping, but after joining Greater Manchester, "poor relations we are here." She added: "I do think there should be more money spent up here for a start. We pay more council here than down in Oldham. We pay extra to live in Saddleworth but we do not get any extra amenities."
Jenna Tett, "Saddleworth born and bred," said: "It still feels part of Manchester but my Dad is very Yorkshire. Maybe it's a generational thing."
Roy Turner, who grew up in Middleton and has lived in Uppermill for 15 years, said: "It's a lovely place to live. Most of my family have moved up here. Manchester it's ideal because you can get on the train from Greenfield." He noted he had not seen any literature from candidates and felt "there is an unfair distribution on various projects that need doing." He added: "You just hear excuses for things not being done and you just get more people being put in place."
Recent fire concerns
Katie, from Greenfield, cited the ongoing fire at Dovestone Reservoir as a concern. She said: "We have a memorial tree for my mother in law and it's alarming we can't get to it, how they can't make it more secure? People are saying they might open it up later in the summer so for my partner, that is a challenge that we can't get there."
