Sholver
Encyclopedia
Sholver is an area of Oldham
, in Greater Manchester
, England. An elevated, residential area, it lies near the middle of the Oldham part of the valley of the River Beal
, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Oldham's commercial centre, nearly at the northeastern-most extremity of the town, by open countryside close to the source of the River Medlock
and by the border with Saddleworth
.
Historically
a part of Lancashire
, Sholver and its surroundings have provided archaeological evidence of Neolithic
activity in the area. The name Sholver is of Old Norse
derivation, and the locality, anciently, was a hamlet
, independent of Oldham. Top Sholver is the site of a large council estate built in the 1960s. Bottom Sholver consists of higher-value suburban semi-detached housing, built in the 1990s, although it still contains a very small number of council houses.
flint arrow-heads and workings found at Beesom Hill, implying habitation 7–10,000 years ago.
Like Oldham
, the name Sholver is thought to be of Old Norse
origin; a derivative of "erg (a Norse word for hill-pasture) of a farmer called Skjolgr (a Norse forename)". Indeed, Norsemen
occupied Sholver in the 10th century, where they erected shielings - temporary huts in a remote pasture akin to the style of living done in their native Scandinavia
. It is recorded as Sholgher in 1291, Choller in 1311.
For centuries, in keeping with the known history of Oldham
, Sholver was a remote and obscure hamlet
set amongst the Pennines
. The plan of the hamlet of Sholver changed little since the Early Middle Ages
. At the end of the 17th century the medieval timber and plaster dwellings were replaced by solid farms in the local grey sandstone, without substantial changes in the sites of the buildings. The cottages and farms were still grouped around a wide central oval green. The freehold
of Sholver's farms had been bought from the Prestwich family in the 17th century at the time when the residencies were largely rebuilt in stone.
James Butterworth, a poet and local historian, described Sholver as "a small village of great antiquity where the houses are chiefly built of stone, and have a rustic appearance," and describes a very pleasant retreat "in the neighbourhood of the cottages called the Dingle". Among early historical references to this area we find, in 1212, Ralph Tagun held Sholver as 4 oxgang
s of land; it was part of the Nevill estate then in hand of King John
. In 1346 it was held in moieties by Richard de Pilkington and Cecily de Hulme. From the Hulmes it descended to the Prestwich family, who held it till the middle of the 17th century. It was sold to various persons about 1657. In April 1540, during the reign of Charles I of England
, Robert Lytham carried out some measuring of Sholver moor.
As cotton mill
ing was introduced in the 18th century, the cottage industry of Sholver declined, and instead became an important source of coal
which was growing in demand. James Butterworth claimed that "the Manchester market
seems to prefer the coal dug in this parish before that of any other." As early as 1791 Edmund Kershaw of Sholver was a known collier, though some of the early coal mines in the area-bell or beehive pits-date back as early as 1542.
The most profound development of modern Sholver began in May 1966. The Oldham County Borough Council
began construction on its huge Sholver housing estates on what had been farm pastureland. On elevated land, some 1000 feet (305 m) above sea level, the council aimed to provide nearly 1,700 dwellings. This increase in population has changed Sholver in its character from a cluster of houses sheltering under the brow of a hill to a large council estate. Sholver continues to have high numbers of social rented properties
.
of Lancashire
since the early 12th century
, Sholver was recorded in 1212 as being one of five parts of the thegn
age estate of Kaskenmoor, which was held on behalf of King John
by Roger de Montbegon
and William de Nevill. The other parts of this estate were Crompton
, Glodwick
, Oldham
, and Werneth
. Sholver would later form part of the township
of Oldham within the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham
, in the hundred of Salford
.
At 53°33′57.9"N 2°4′29.1"W (53.566097, -2.074748), Sholver stands on a steep hillside, about 1000 feet (304.8 m) above sea level
, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Oldham's commercial centre, nearly at the northeastern-most extremity of the town. Saddleworth
and the South Pennines
are close to the east. The River Beal
lies in the valley below to the west, and beyond this, Royton
and Shaw and Crompton
. Moorside is a suburb
an area contiguous with Sholver's east. Sholver lies on the eastern edge of the Greater Manchester Urban Area
.
Archaic
localities in and around Sholver include Sholvermoor and Sholver Slack.
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, England. An elevated, residential area, it lies near the middle of the Oldham part of the valley of the River Beal
River Beal
The Beal is a small river in Greater Manchester, England, and is a tributary of the River Roch. It rises in the Beal Valley in green space between Sholver and Royton, before continuing northwards through, Shaw and Crompton, Newhey, Milnrow and Belfield....
, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Oldham's commercial centre, nearly at the northeastern-most extremity of the town, by open countryside close to the source of the River Medlock
River Medlock
The River Medlock is a river of Greater Manchester in North West England. It rises near Oldham and flows, south and west, for ten miles to join the River Irwell in the extreme southwest of Manchester city centre.-Source:...
and by the border with Saddleworth
Saddleworth
Saddleworth is a civil parish of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in Greater Manchester, England. It comprises several villages and hamlets amongst the west side of the Pennine hills: Uppermill, Greenfield, Dobcross, Delph, Diggle and others...
.
Historically
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
a part of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Sholver and its surroundings have provided archaeological evidence of Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
activity in the area. The name Sholver is of Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
derivation, and the locality, anciently, was a hamlet
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
, independent of Oldham. Top Sholver is the site of a large council estate built in the 1960s. Bottom Sholver consists of higher-value suburban semi-detached housing, built in the 1990s, although it still contains a very small number of council houses.
History
The earliest known evidence of a human presence in what is now Sholver and adjacient Moorside is attested by the discovery of NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
flint arrow-heads and workings found at Beesom Hill, implying habitation 7–10,000 years ago.
Like Oldham
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, the name Sholver is thought to be of Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
origin; a derivative of "erg (a Norse word for hill-pasture) of a farmer called Skjolgr (a Norse forename)". Indeed, Norsemen
Norsemen
Norsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who spoke what is now called the Old Norse language belonging to the North Germanic branch of Indo-European languages, especially Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Swedish and Danish in their earlier forms.The meaning of Norseman was "people...
occupied Sholver in the 10th century, where they erected shielings - temporary huts in a remote pasture akin to the style of living done in their native Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
. It is recorded as Sholgher in 1291, Choller in 1311.
For centuries, in keeping with the known history of Oldham
History of Oldham
The history of Oldham is one of dramatic change, from obscure Pennine hamlet to preeminent mill town and textile processing capital of the world...
, Sholver was a remote and obscure hamlet
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
set amongst the Pennines
Pennines
The Pennines are a low-rising mountain range, separating the North West of England from Yorkshire and the North East.Often described as the "backbone of England", they form a more-or-less continuous range stretching from the Peak District in Derbyshire, around the northern and eastern edges of...
. The plan of the hamlet of Sholver changed little since the Early Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
. At the end of the 17th century the medieval timber and plaster dwellings were replaced by solid farms in the local grey sandstone, without substantial changes in the sites of the buildings. The cottages and farms were still grouped around a wide central oval green. The freehold
Fee simple
In English law, a fee simple is an estate in land, a form of freehold ownership. It is the most common way that real estate is owned in common law countries, and is ordinarily the most complete ownership interest that can be had in real property short of allodial title, which is often reserved...
of Sholver's farms had been bought from the Prestwich family in the 17th century at the time when the residencies were largely rebuilt in stone.
James Butterworth, a poet and local historian, described Sholver as "a small village of great antiquity where the houses are chiefly built of stone, and have a rustic appearance," and describes a very pleasant retreat "in the neighbourhood of the cottages called the Dingle". Among early historical references to this area we find, in 1212, Ralph Tagun held Sholver as 4 oxgang
Oxgang
An oxgang or bovate is an old land measurement formerly used in Scotland and England. It averaged around 20 English acres, but was based on land fertility and cultivation, and so could be as low as 15.Skene in Celtic Scotland says:...
s of land; it was part of the Nevill estate then in hand of King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
. In 1346 it was held in moieties by Richard de Pilkington and Cecily de Hulme. From the Hulmes it descended to the Prestwich family, who held it till the middle of the 17th century. It was sold to various persons about 1657. In April 1540, during the reign of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
, Robert Lytham carried out some measuring of Sholver moor.
As cotton mill
Cotton mill
A cotton mill is a factory that houses spinning and weaving machinery. Typically built between 1775 and 1930, mills spun cotton which was an important product during the Industrial Revolution....
ing was introduced in the 18th century, the cottage industry of Sholver declined, and instead became an important source of coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
which was growing in demand. James Butterworth claimed that "the Manchester market
Economy of Manchester
The economy of Manchester is amongst the largest in England. Manchester, a city of 498,800 people in North West England. The city lies at the heart of one of Europe's largest metropolitan areas, Greater Manchester, with a population of 2.6 million...
seems to prefer the coal dug in this parish before that of any other." As early as 1791 Edmund Kershaw of Sholver was a known collier, though some of the early coal mines in the area-bell or beehive pits-date back as early as 1542.
The most profound development of modern Sholver began in May 1966. The Oldham County Borough Council
County Borough of Oldham
Oldham was, from 1849 to 1974, a local government district in the northwest of England coterminate with the town of Oldham.-Improvement Commissioners:...
began construction on its huge Sholver housing estates on what had been farm pastureland. On elevated land, some 1000 feet (305 m) above sea level, the council aimed to provide nearly 1,700 dwellings. This increase in population has changed Sholver in its character from a cluster of houses sheltering under the brow of a hill to a large council estate. Sholver continues to have high numbers of social rented properties
Public housing
Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is owned by a government authority, which may be central or local. Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organizations, or by a combination of the...
.
Governance
Lying within the historic county boundariesHistoric counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
since the early 12th century
History of Lancashire
The History of Lancashire begins with its establishment as a county of England in 1182, making it one of the youngest of the historic counties of England.-Early history:In the Domesday Book, some of its lands had been treated as part of Yorkshire...
, Sholver was recorded in 1212 as being one of five parts of the thegn
Thegn
The term thegn , from OE þegn, ðegn "servant, attendant, retainer", is commonly used to describe either an aristocratic retainer of a king or nobleman in Anglo-Saxon England, or as a class term, the majority of the aristocracy below the ranks of ealdormen and high-reeves...
age estate of Kaskenmoor, which was held on behalf of King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
by Roger de Montbegon
Roger de Montbegon
Roger de Montbegon was a landowner in northern England , Baron of Horneby, and one of the Magna Carta sureties....
and William de Nevill. The other parts of this estate were Crompton
Shaw and Crompton
Shaw and Crompton is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Beal at the foothills of the South Pennines, north of Oldham, southeast of Rochdale, and to the northeast of the city of Manchester...
, Glodwick
Glodwick
Glodwick is an area of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It is south-east of Oldham town centre.Glodwick is a multi-ethnic residential area in the south of the Oldham, home particularly to a large community of Pakistanis and British Pakistanis....
, Oldham
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, and Werneth
Werneth, Greater Manchester
Werneth is an area of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It is west-southwest of Oldham's commercial centre and one of Oldham's most ancient localities.-History:...
. Sholver would later form part of the township
Township (England)
In England, a township is a local division or district of a large parish containing a village or small town usually having its own church...
of Oldham within the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham
Prestwich-cum-Oldham
Prestwich-cum-Oldham was an ancient ecclesiastical parish of the hundred of Salford, within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire, England...
, in the hundred of Salford
Salford (hundred)
The hundred of Salford was an ancient division of the historic county of Lancashire, in Northern England. It was sometimes known as Salfordshire, the name alluding to its judicial centre being the township of Salford...
.
Geography
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Oldham's commercial centre, nearly at the northeastern-most extremity of the town. Saddleworth
Saddleworth
Saddleworth is a civil parish of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in Greater Manchester, England. It comprises several villages and hamlets amongst the west side of the Pennine hills: Uppermill, Greenfield, Dobcross, Delph, Diggle and others...
and the South Pennines
South Pennines
South Pennines is a region of moorland and hill country in northern England lying towards the southern end of the Pennines. It is bounded to the west by the Forest of Rossendale and the Yorkshire Dales to the north...
are close to the east. The River Beal
River Beal
The Beal is a small river in Greater Manchester, England, and is a tributary of the River Roch. It rises in the Beal Valley in green space between Sholver and Royton, before continuing northwards through, Shaw and Crompton, Newhey, Milnrow and Belfield....
lies in the valley below to the west, and beyond this, Royton
Royton
Royton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies by the source of the River Irk, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines, north-northwest of Oldham, south-southeast of Rochdale and northeast of the city of Manchester.Historically a...
and Shaw and Crompton
Shaw and Crompton
Shaw and Crompton is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Beal at the foothills of the South Pennines, north of Oldham, southeast of Rochdale, and to the northeast of the city of Manchester...
. Moorside is a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
an area contiguous with Sholver's east. Sholver lies on the eastern edge of the Greater Manchester Urban Area
Greater Manchester Urban Area
The Greater Manchester Urban Area is an area of land defined by the Office for National Statistics consisting of the large conurbation that encompasses the city of Manchester and the continuous metropolitan area that spreads outwards from it, forming much of Greater Manchester in North West England...
.
Archaic
Archaism
In language, an archaism is the use of a form of speech or writing that is no longer current. This can either be done deliberately or as part of a specific jargon or formula...
localities in and around Sholver include Sholvermoor and Sholver Slack.