The parents of a teenager who died in a tragic canoe incident in Bolton have said they will "never come to terms with what has happened" following the death of their "beautiful and gentle" son.
12.04.2024 - 16:49 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Armies of tourists on holiday, taking pictures of the old factories, high-rise tower blocks and stacked terraces. This was the ambitious plan for Oldham nearly 50 years ago.
Now there's no doubt Oldham has many attractive qualities. Surrounded by the beautiful Pennine countryside, it boasts a rich industrial heritage exemplified by many fine examples of Victorian architecture.
Nonetheless, the idea of Oldham becoming a holiday destination might be surprising to some - but this is exactly what Oldham Council dreamed up back in 1976. A real-life campaign called "Come To Oldham" was launched in hopes of turning the one-time industrial heartland in Greater Manchester into a tourist town.
READ MORE: These brilliant nicknames from a lost Greater Manchester world are still funny today
Read today's top Manchester Evening News stories
A report on the campaign was featured on the BBC news programme, Nationwide. Broadcast on March 24, 1976, it featured reporter and native Oldham lad, John Stapleton, investigating the campaign.
Video footage of the report released from the BBC archives starts with the grey industrial skyline of factories, high rise flats and terraced rooftops as John's narration starts with: "They're not kidding, they really do want you to spend a few days getting away from it all, here in Oldham. They call it 'a town in the country' and they've spent £14,000 promoting the place both at home and abroad."
The report cuts to John holding up the campaign's promotional materials. They included Oldham keyrings, car stickers, beer mats and a glossy brochure which had been printed in three different languages.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
The
The parents of a teenager who died in a tragic canoe incident in Bolton have said they will "never come to terms with what has happened" following the death of their "beautiful and gentle" son.
Many people often miss deliveries, not because they are out, but they're in and don't hear the door being knocked.
A man who put trackers on a victim's car before he was kidnapped claims he didn't know he would be abducted and tortured - telling a jury he thought the plan was just to steal from him. Delroy Chin, 47, accepts he was 'part of a criminal conspiracy', but denies he was part of a kidnap plot.
A number of former players and pundits have backed Manchester City to win all four of their remaining Premier League matches, which would see them lift the title.
The mugshot of a jealous ex-boyfriend who stabbed a mum-of-two in an evil rage has been released. Obert Moyo, 46, has been locked up for life after the brutal murder of his former partner Perseverance Ncube.
A man who bit his victim's ear off during a horrific attack has been jailed. Steven Paterson, 35, left his victim needing surgery for life-threatening injuries after the sickening assault.
A man has admitted murdering his ex-partner who was fatally stabbed following a brutal attack in her own home. Perseverance Ncube, 35, known as 'Percy' to friends, was murdered by Obert Moyo.
A couple who believed they were meeting a naive 14-year-old girl for sex at a railway station were caught out when they were instead confronted by paedophile hunters.
A boy of 17 who died after falling into a river while canoeing has been named. An inquest has been opened into the death of Joseph Holt.
Gemma Atkinson has jokingly said 'who knows where Gorka Marquez is' as she revealed she's been left solo at home following their exciting joint news. The couple are set to return to TV screens in another series of their very own reality series.
A drugs kingpin who lived an extraordinary life of luxury funded by crime must pay back almost £3.5million of his ill-gotten gains. Aram Sheibani could face an extra decade in jail if he fails to pay back the huge sum.
"A child somewhere in this country is going to die because of a vape. It’s only a matter of time."
Forums where people share private intimate images of men and women include dedicated threads to people in Manchester.
A convicted drug dealer known by the Encrochat handle 'Diorpaw' has died behind bars. John Digweed died at HMP Garth in Lancashire today, the Prison Service confirmed.
An uninsured driver who hit a district judge with his car before he died has avoided jail. Lawyer Matthew Mawdsley, 54, a father-of-three who lived in Manchester, had been out for work celebrations when he tried to cross the A38 in Birmingham; a busy carriageway at around 10pm on December 16 2022.
It's been just over three weeks since the body of a woman was pulled out of the water at a south Manchester beauty spot - but her identity still remains a mystery.
A police search has been launched to find a man who has not returned after leaving home on his bike. Bernard McDerra, 76, is thought to have left his home address in the Scholes area between 11am and 1pm on Thursday (April 11).
What's your key question for the candidates vying to be the next Greater Manchester Mayor?
The man wanted over the fatal stabbing in Bradford of a mum from Oldham 'vlogged' himself in Manchester and posted shopping videos in Primark on social media.
Arsenal hero Ian Wright has agreed with Pep Guardiola that the volume of games Manchester City have to contend with during the run-in could be a reason for their defensive lapses, such as seen against Crystal Palace.