Letter from Ken Stanley, Oldham Chronicle dated 8th February 1980

Oldham’s Lost Fossil Forest

"I am interested in the story of the lost fossil forest discovered in the 1870’s on Oldham Edge" writes a Limeside reader. "I am wondering if it would be possible to look up old documented records or any report which might have appeared in the Chronicle at the time. Could the Local Interest Centre help? Or where do you go to study such records to try to rediscover this lost forest?
It is strange that no attempt seems to have been made in the last century to relocate what was regarded at the time of its discovery as one of the wonders of Europe. There must be some recorded evidence somewhere, but we have not been able to pin it down.
In 'Oldham : Past and Present,' J .T. Middleton’s history published in 1903, there is a photograph titled 'Fossil Forest, Oldham Edge'. It shows a quarry on the face of which is clearly a fossilised tree trunk. In the foreground is the eminent local geologist James Nield. The caption says that the curiosity was discovered 'early in 1880', in fact - 100 years ago.
For years the only facts recorded about Oldham in the 'AA Touring Handbook' were that in the Oldham Town Hall facade there was a copy of the Temple of Ceres of Athens, and that a fossilised forest was discovered on Oldham Edge in 1880... then silence!
Recently, however, we came across a report in the Oldham Evening Chronicle of 17th May 1880, which recorded the visit of Professor Boyd Dawkins of Owens College, Manchester, and a number of students to the quarry of Mr George Milne, Edge Lane "where a number of fossil trees - about 12, have been unbared in a remarkable state of preservation. These have attracted a great deal of attention in the scientific world, and it is said, such remains of the carboniferous period are not to be found in Europe."
Professor Boyd Dawkins proceeded to address “a large assemblage" at over a column’s length, followed by a few words from James Nield.

Letter from Ken Stanley, Oldham Evening Chronicle dated 28‘“ March 1980

Fossil Forest

OUR original questioner about the lost Fossil Forest discovered on Oldham Edge in 1880, Mr Ken Stanley of 76 First Avenue, Limeside, now writes to us to tell us about the progress of his investigations since we first raised the subject in this column.
"I think it only right," he says, "that you should know what I have discovered so far. l have found a piece of fossilised tree (the specimens of which I have yet to have identified), possibly the last surviving piece of Oldham’s lost wonder.
I have also discovered that the site of George Milne’s quarry where the discovery was made in 1880 has now been built on. There now stands the new flats between Mortimer Street and Shaw Road.
I have also had considerable help from the Coal board, who have furnished me with maps on the collieries of Oldham Edge, plus information and a marvelous photostat of a newspaper cutting from the Oldham Chronicle of 1933 showing Mr. Milne himself and the fossilized trees in the quarry.
I am now investigating the site of the Lower Moor Colliery where the trees were said to have been stored for many years in a shale pit.
 have had much help from many people, and wish to express my thanks to all concerned but I am not giving up the investigation until the fate or these fossils has been established. I am now getting in touch with Dr. Eager of Manchester University, who can positively identify the fossil I have in my possession".

Letter from Mr. L. Kidd to Mr. F.M. Broadhurst

23rd February, 1981
L. Kidd, Esq.
The Local interest Centre ‘
Greaves Street
Oldham

Dear Leonard,
Last Monday, 16th February, 1 went to visit Mr Ken Stanley (of 76 First Avenue, Limeside, Oldham), and he showed me the site of the fossil trees which he is anxious should be recorded.
The site lies within the grounds of the Blue Coat School (Mr R.J. Carre, Head Master). The specimens are to be found a few metres to the West of what was the old rectory. There is one good specimen - a fossil tree preserved as a sandstone cast, about a metre and a half long. Several broken pieces of tree cast are also present.
The specimens are not in situ but have been placed on a steep bank, either to help support the bank or to help ornament it. The best preserved tree cast is readily seen from quite a distance and can be viewed from the adjacent Horsehedge Road without difficulty. Recent excavation work into the bank has made this specimen quite conspicuous.
I am very pleased to be able to confirm Ken Stanley’s identification of the tree casts.
He is right to ask that a record be taken of their whereabouts. However, the site cannot be regarded as a Fossil Forest because the trees are no longer in their original position.
With very best wishes
F.M. Broadhurst
copy : K. Stanley, Esq.

Letter from The Blue Coat School to Ken Stanley

Headmaster: R.I. Carre, B.Sc. Econ. J.P.
THE BLUE COAT SCHOOL, OLDHAM

Mr K. Stanley
76 First Avenue
Limeside
OLDHAM
23rd March, 1981

Dear Mr Stanley,
l am writing on behalf of my Chairman of Governors, Mr T. Fallows, in connection with your letter regarding the Fossil Forest. We have been in touch with Mr Leonard Kidd of the Local Interest Centre and Dr Broadhurst of Manchester University and it has eventually been established that it would best serve our interests if the fossil were to remain as it is with no further disturbance, as it is clearly visible from the road and accessible to anyone who wishes to inspect it more closely, on application to the School.
On behalf of my Governors, I thank you for your interest in the matter.