Introducing the Saddleworth Rambler: Nexus Move’s New 356 Service

A look at Saddleworth’s exciting new shuttle service

On Monday 09 April 2018, Andy Buckley and David Littlewood opened another chapter in the history of Saddleworth bus operation. From the turning circle in Denshaw, David Littlewood was Nexus Move’s first passenger aboard the new 356 service to Uppermill and Greenfield. He was chauffeured to his destination by Andy Buckley in a silver 67-reg Volkswagen minibus.

Advertisements

Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, April 2018: The Ashton Review of Shops

April’s window on the shop windows

In about ten years time from Smabs Sputzer’s [2012] image, this scene will change dramatically. Since then, the TAC building has been demolished with its replacement due to be finished by the end of this year. Plus you can see Ashton’s IKEA store from the International Space Station.

• Mettricks to leave Stalybridge;
• State of local economy inspires aspirant councillors;
• Claire’s Accessories, Bargain Booze and Select Fashion in trouble;
• Prince of Orange’s transformation completed;
• All the usual comings and goings in the Tameside area.

We hope you have had a Happy Easter. Hopefully, whilst you are reading this, you would have polished off your chocolate eggs, ate the last slice of Simnel Cake, or seen the Manchester Derby fixture.

Cambridge Analytica: “We Already Know Who’s Won Whit Friday”

East of the M60 World Exclusive:

Cambridge Analytica’s Northern Chief’s startling revelations which could shake the Whit Friday brass band contests to their very foundations

In the last month, Channel Four News, plus The Guardian and The Observer newspapers have exposed Cambridge Analytica’s role in the EU Referendum and Donald Trump’s election victory. This has entailed the use of social media and behavioural insights to influence swaying voters.

Tonight, East of the M60 can reveal that Cambridge Analytica have opened a new Northern outpost. Situated in a former rifle range with stunning views of the Tame Valley, Cambridge Analytica’s Northern Area base has seen the addition of 33 jobs. There are rumours that Stott’s Tours’ 343 service will be extended to serve its employees (sources from CA said the changes will be made on the 23 July 2018).

Could You Spend a Week in Oldham?

Does Oldham and surrounding area have enough attractions for a week’s holiday?

This week, Northwest Tonight and its predecessor Look North West have celebrated its fiftieth birthday. Via social media channels, the BBC Archive has scoured the library for weird and wonderful regional clips.

Stalybridge Celtic: Your Local Club Needs You

Why Stalybridge Celtic Football Club, more than ever, needs your support

Spectators: The More The Merrier: Stalybridge Celtic Football Club desperately need some more bums on seats and feet on terraces several times over. Image by Matthew Wilkinson, 2011 (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Some Rights Reserved).

On the 22 April 2017, Stalybridge Celtic Football Club were relegated from the National League North Division of the National League. Their fall from the sixth tier of English football to the seventh tier came as no surprise to many fans. The ‘Bridge had had struggled in the lower reaches of National League North in the five years prior to their relegation. Away wins were rarer than UK Number One singles by an artiste other than Drake or Ed Sheeran.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes Extra (Spring 2018)

Further bus service changes and retimings which affect Oldham and Saddleworth passengers

A Mercedes Citaro on the 425 service to Fitton Hill, seen loading at Oldham bus station.

Since our little look at the future shape of Oldham’s and Saddleworth’s bus routes, a few more changes have been announced in the last fortnight. We now know more about the 59’s early morning journeys. Once again there are changes in store for the 408 route (no change there, then).

Like the Tameside and Glossop addendum, please treat this one as a companion to our more comprehensive bulletin (published on 07 March 2018).

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes Extra (Spring 2018)

Further changes to Tameside and Glossop’s bus network

A row of MCT Travel buses seen in front of a Stagecoach Manchester single decker.

In the last fortnight, further changes have been announced for Tameside’s bus network by First Greater Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester. Many of which are minor retimings to existing timetables. To get the full benefit of this post, please treat this as a companion of our more comprehensive bulletin that we published on Wednesday 07 March 2018.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Spring 2018

Changes to Saddleworth routes see new shuttle service

• New Saddleworth service to make up for lost Denshaw connections;
• Farewell to the 82 night bus.

Business as usual: Oldham escapes the worst of this spring’s service changes.

For once, Oldham passengers can sleep soundly with this spring’s changes. With the exception of Saddleworth’s bus routes, there will be some slight changes and operator revisions.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Spring 2018

MCT Travel bags six tendered services

• First cuts 350 daytime frequency by 20%;
• New Saddleworth service to make up for lost Denshaw connections;
• Changes to 237 night bus journey.

Your new face on the 1951 to Glossop: MCT Travel will be operating evening journeys on the 237 service.

In The Waste Land, T.S. Eliot said that April was the cruellest month. With bus service changes this remains the same throughout Greater Manchester. Amid the 33 services that have been affected by the post-Easter changes, Bolton, Wigan, and South Manchester passengers have been at the sharpest end. This time, Tameside based bus passengers have come off lightly with this spring’s changes being nothing on those made in April 2015.