January 2002
Flicking
through a copy of Hartley Bateson’s “A History of Oldham,” Susan Barlow,
wife of
our club secretary, was surprised to discover this sentence: “The
presence of human life during the Neolothic Age is attested by the discovery of
a polished flint arrowhead on Werneth Golf Course in 1948.”
In other words,
our Stone
Age ancestors were roaming what are now our fairways many thousands of years
ago.
But it is
perhaps important to point out that any resemblance between these ancient Brits
and members of the council is purely coincidental.
Bateson’s
book also says the word Werneth is beyond doubt derived
from a Celtic name meaning place of alders.
This led to
queries about other local place names. Brookdale, Woodhouses, Springhead,
Greenfield, and Grasscroft, for instance, are self-explanatory.
A glance
through the splendid “Dictionary of English Place Names,” by A.D. Mills
(Oxford University Press), reveals these other derivations:
OLDHAM: Old
promontory, from the old English Ald and the old Scandinavian holmr.
SADDLEWORTH:
Enclosure on a saddle-shaped ridge.
ROYTON:
Farmstead where rye is grown.
ASHTON-u-LYNE:
Ashton – place where ash trees grow. Lyne – elm tree region.
DELPH: A
quarry.
DOBCROSS: Cross
(or crossroads) for a man called Dobbe – a middle English pet
form of Robert, or a surname.
FAILSWORTH:
Enclosure with a special kind of fence.
BARDSLEY:
Woodland clearing of a man called Beornraed.
CHADDERTON:
Possibly farmstead at hill called Cadeir (old English for chair).
DENTON:
Farmstead or village in a valley.
GLOSSOP: Valley
of a man called Glot.
STOCKPORT:
Market place at an outlying hamlet.
AUDENSHAW:
Copse of a man called Aldwine.
DROYLSDEN:
Valley of the dry spring or stream.
MOSSLEY:
Woodland clearing by a swamp or bog.
MIDDLETON:
Middle farmstead or estate.
MOSTON: Moss or
marsh farmstead.
BLACKLEY: Dark
wood or clearing.
STALYBRIDGE:
Bridge at the wood where staves are got.
HYDE: Estate
assessed at one hide – an amount of land for the support of
one family and its dependants.
MANCHESTER:
Roman fort or town on (possibly) a breast-like hill.
What is not
explained is the history of names like Mumps and Jumbo (Middleton Junction).
Any
offers?
The
children’s Christmas party, attended by 70 youngsters, was a truly memorable
affair.
The
DJ, who was hired at the eleventh hour, kept the entertainment going with games
and dancing – the latter providing evidence of some promising talent from the
young participants.
Food
was served in the form of a buffet. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, jelly, ice-cream
etc., were enjoyed by all.
But
the highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of
Father Christmas, who made a dramatic appearance out of the trees behind
the eighteenth green (leaving his reindeers behind!), bearing presents for all
the children, who welcomed him in anticipation at the door.
The
presentation of gifts was followed by a game of “pass the parcel,” which
concluded the party.
A good time was had by all – here’s to next year!
Heavy rain,
followed by snow and ice, played
havoc with the winter programme over the festive period.
Just before
Christmas, in an event played over a restricted number of holes, Sean Rattigan
scored 31 Stableford points, with Jed Hulme two points adrift in second place.
After the snow
had cleared, competition secretary
John Andrew totted up 40 points in another pro’s comp. to edge out Jim
Mellor (38pts), who beat Mike Fogo on a CPO.
The following
week, handicap secretary Jack Cain triumphed with 39 points, defeating Denis
Lamb on a countback.
It is
understood a meeting between Messrs Andrew and Cain to discuss their respective
handicaps lasted approximately ten seconds and ended in unanimous agreement that
no change was required.
The club was
well represented at the funeral of Roy Jarvis, who died at the age of 79 after a
long and courageous battle against cancer.
A prominent
Mason, who was past master of his lodge, he was proud to have played more that
50 courses in various parts of the world, and was also interested in racing and
the theatre.
He also helped
to raise many thousands of pounds through his membership of The Scroungers, a charity organisation providing wheelchairs
for the disabled.
Our
commiserations to his widow, Brenda – also a playing member of the club –
and his family.
Work will
commence soon on a new bridge over the gully on the eighth hole.
The structure
will be similar to that recently built by member Harry Green’s company,
linking the fourteenth and eighteenth fairways, which has been highly praised.
It will be considerably longer than the present bridge, making it easier to take trolleys across the gully.
The council is also considering the provision of benches adjacent to the 6th and 17th tees – where holdups often occur – financed by the £1,000 legacy from former member Jimmy Mann.Course closed again? Rain pouring down and showing no signs of abating? Then while away half an hour or so working out the answers to these clues relating to professional football teams (answers next month):
1. Which car?
2. Royal leisure area.
3. What burglars do.
4. Keep the fire burning
5. Arms store.
6. Mum’s OK.
7. Sound of prison clock.
8. Detectives need them.
9. Door is locked.
10. Push heavy weight.
11. Male’s meadow.
12. Organ on a lake.
13. Famous jockey.
14. Smashes things up.
15. Not an Eastern dish.
And the best of luck!