AN AUSTERLANDS man who has quietly championed local traditions over the years has been recognised with a prestigious community award. David Needham with Joan Sykes, chair of Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group

The signpost, which has plaques commemorating the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Saddleworth Parish Council’s role in managing it, was kindly made and donated to the community by Phil Moss, of local firm TJ Dobson. Sign unveiled at Dawson’s Field in Scouthead. Image by Phil Howard Before the application was submitted, the field and its surrounds were very poor with an extremely muddy entrance, falling down walls and barbed wire. Meanwhile, astunning suspended carpet of poppies offered a dramatic contrast to Diggle’s contribution to Remembrance (see above). With Joan Sykes as chair, Andrea Jakeman as treasurer, and June Taylor as secretary, the group held their first meeting in April to put together a plan of action. The Scouthead Band Contest Committee, Saddleworth Parish Council and Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group want to ensure Dawson’s Field continues as an open green space for community events and use. Transfer of ownership is very much welcomed.”

While you are here...

I thank him for his hard work and time he has spent to secure the field, we must also thank our community and Scouthead the Austerlands Band Committee for their support." CllrByrne, current chairman of the Saddleworth Parish Council, is believed she is the first person holding that title to attend at Austerlands on a Remembrance Sunday.

At the unveiling, on Tuesday, May 27, Mr Knotts welcomed Oldham Councillor Pam Byrne, the outgoing chair of the Parish Council, and David Needham, secretary of Scouthead band contest committee.Stuart Cook also thanked the Parish Council – which granted permission for the post’s installation – and particularly praised the community effort involved in developing the field to make it such an important asset. She said: “I feel humble to have become the Mayor and I hope in my year of office to raise funds for charities.” Past Mayors with new Mayor Joan Sykes Our other young winners had a great garden too, growing vegetables and flowers as well as making the garden a fun place to be.

And so in 2019 - a year marked by division, uncertainty and fear, where nations have been torn apart and families forced to flee their homes because of war and violence - may we be willing to learn from those who have gone before us. Austerlands, which has just two shops and a restaurant, and neighbour Scouthead are too slight to have their own associations. David Needham, a former chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, was presented with the Above and Beyond accolade by Joan Sykes, chair of Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group. If we fast forward to the beginning of the 20th century, to the First World War, and again, we see that truth being modelled - not this time by a single individual - but by tens of millions of men, women and children as they put the needs of their families, their friends, their nation before themselves; many of whom willingly gave their lives in battle.The field, which sits alongside the A62 Huddersfield Road at Scouthead, has been a key feature of the Saddleworth Whit Friday band contest organised by the local committee.