MEDLOCK AND TAME VALLEY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Founded in 1971 1964 BACKGROUND Sir George Kenyon, current Patron and Chairman, initiated the transformation of the Tame Valley from its industrial past, and still is deeply involved. Under his Chairmanship it was continued by N. W. Civic Trust and local Authorities until Greater Manchester took over. In the other valley the demolition of Park Bridge viaduct prompted members of Oldham Microscopical & Natural History 1971 Society to form a Committee to protect the Medlock, until in August 1971 they founded the Medlock & Tame Valley Conservation Association, with H.Q. at Werneth Study Centre, to pioneer work in both valleys before there were Warden Services. They had been so incensed by the demolition of the viaduct that they were determined to form a strong group to look in and protect as best possible, the natural, industrial and local history of particular pockets in the two river valleys. 1974 In 1974 Greater Manchester Council set up a Joint Valley Committee, composed of Councillors and officials from Oldham, Tameside, Stockport & Manchester, for each river (& later Etherow / Goyt) to monitor their management. Within a year, MTVCA was included, together with NW Water, and were given advisory and observer status on both the Medlock and Tame Joint Valley Committees. 1975 MTVCA opened the Museum in The Stables at Park Bridge. A 'glittering' night was held with many traditional acts performing. This put Park Bridge 'on the map'. 1995 With effect from 1st April these Committees were dissolved and each Authority became responsible for the area of river within its boundaries. The Warden & Ranger services, and the Visitor Centres, were reorganised accordingly. A Steering Group (composition similar to before) and an Officer's Working Party, was formed for the Medlock and for the Tame; on these we have been invited to serve as Observers. POLICY The Association works in co-operation with local Leisure Officers, Rangers, Wardens and Voluntary Wardens. It acts as a liaison between administrators and residents, has contacts with local Schools, Groups, Clubs and Industry, and continues to extend its links with N.W. conservationists in general. It seeks to act as a counterbalance to the loss of greenery and wildlife in leisure places, as a guardian of the quality of life, and a sane advocate for the preservation of our heritage. It encourages re-cycling in all aspects, inc. compost. Its local membership ranges over most of the Medlock from Clayton to Oldham and up to Royton and Tandle Hill; and the length of the Tame from Denshaw to Reddish Vale. For many years its thrice annual mailings have included seasonal programmes and literature for the Medlock, Tame & Etherow / Goyt, and general conservation leaflets for the Boroughs. Its dedicated group of 'deliverers' ensure that less than 10% is posted. PLANNING Non-political and non-biased the Association opposes building unconnected with present use on Green Belt land and in river valleys. This entails monitoring of pre-planning lists which were sent without charge to the Hon. Sec. by each Authority. From 1992 Tameside required £117.50 annually for theirs, an expenditure the Association could not justify. Oldham and Stockport, to whom we are grateful, continue as before. Our length of foundation (36 years) and depth of membership (150 plus Groups and Affiliations) is taken into consideration by arbitrating bodies. HEADQUARTERS A Registered Charity (No. 504558) the Association deemed increases in charges at Werneth Study Centre to be excessive, and left. It accepted an invitation by the then Hon. Sec., Mrs. Mildred Burlinson, to transfer its H.Q. to 5 Oaken Clough Terrace, Ashton-under-Lyne, where she has made a wildlife garden to attract birds and to breed butterflies, in an acre of ground adjoining the Daisy Nook Country Park. Plans of all districts, working records, the Constitution and details of other Groups, are available there. ARCHIVES Begun by Mr. L. Kidd, founding Chairman of MTVCA, continued and expanded by Mrs. Burlinson, they won a Conservation award in 1984. The earlier of the nine 150 double-paged cross-indexed volumes are housed at the Local Studies Centre, Stalybridge, and the others at H.Q. They are consulted by students and researchers. It had been intended at one time that they be kept at the Park Bridge Stables Museum, but this never materialised. FINANCE In addition to gifts to the later disbanded Museum, several hundred pounds helped to restore the nearby chimney of the 'Fairbottom Bobs' Newcomen pumping engine in 1982, although sadly the site became overgrown and neglected. Following an archaeological dig in the late 1990s by the Manchester Archaeology Unit, most of the site was cleared. Under our auspices the classroom at the Stables was designed and constructed by local Rotary Clubs, and in '92 £500 was given to the Bird Hide at Brownhills, although not long after this was destroyed by fire. A School Prize of £25 is available annually. At the Insect Show, Craft Fairs and Open Days, proceeds from our picture competitions were given to the Vol. Wardens. In 1995, £50 was given towards a mobile 'phone for their raised and re-built barge 'Forget-me-Not' and this was greatly appreciated by the Wooden Canal Craft Trust. The financial year ends each July, with the A.G.M. in September. THE ASSOCIATION CONFIDENTIALLY HOPES THAT THOSE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE VALLEYS ARE FAR-SIGHTED ENOUGH TO CARRY ON THE WORK OF THE MEDLOCK & TAME VALLEY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION AND THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION, AND SO KEEP OUR VALLEYS GREEN. August 2007 Registered HQ: MTVCA, 5 Oaken Clough Terrace, Ashton-under-Lyne,Lancs, OL7 9NY Charity Number: 504558