The Valley

Longden End was an ideal place for two boys to be brought up. Being completely isolated from the surrounding area, the valley is one and a half miles long steep sided and is entered via a steep single tracked, unmade road at either end. The track on the northwest,giving access to Rakewood and Littleborough. The south east exit giving access to Milnrow and Oldham. The house as I have mentioned belonging to Oldham Corporation Water Works. The pumping Station being positioned at the South East end . Alongside the house was the remains of the original pumping station, the two of them being connected by a single track railway line which followed the course of the brook. The brook (Stream/River) for the most part was fairly slow and not very deep wound its way down the valley over a waterfall which was situated at the foot of the houses long sloping garden . Eventually passing through Rakewood and into Hollingworth Lake which is situated above Litteborough. Water from the Lake being extracted by Rochdale Corporation Water Board. The scenario then is as follows. The valley lies in a west to east position. Entrance on the west being via Rakewood. the southeast via Milnrow. THe south side of the valley is bordered by fields enclosed by dry stone walling, the north side by the Lancashire/Yorkshire moors. The boundary between the two counties running just behind the house. the moors stretch into Yorkshire teaming up with the notorious Saddleworth Moor. and the Holme Moss TV transmitter. The valley was constantly changing it's appearance. In the Winter it looking rather bleak and miserable due to the fact that there is no trees, and the black stone walling. In the spring the carpet of bluebells and the fresh green bracken, the Lambs playing in the fields.. Summer time brings the purple of the heather on the moor, whilst the autumn brings the golden colours of the dieing bracken and heather, This season being followed by the snow which has a beauty of it's own. If it had been more accessible and had more services, it was an ideal place to live. It was certainly popular amongst such groups as Ramblers, Artists, Photographers, and Holiday makers.