CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the gems in Chadderton’s jewel in the crown park are celebrating a huge cash boost.

Charity Chadderton Together has receive a £50,000 grant from Viridor Credits Environmental Company to help renovate the Foxdenton Park pavilion which sits behind 300-year-old hall which they are working tirelessly to restore.

The Save Foxdenton Hall Campaign money will be match funded by Oldham Council and will bring the building back to life by creating a café, toilets and a place for local groups to meet.

Reverend John Simmons, chair of Chadderton Together, said, “We are absolutely delighted with this news!

“Hopefully, we may see the resurrection of the bowling club when the facility is up and running as well.

“It has taken a while to achieve but the hard work that has been going on behind the scenes by a group of dedicated people has come to fruition.

“We would like to thank consultant Peter Rowlinson who has steered our group, local councillor, Colin McLaren, who has worked tirelessly on our behalf, and to the architects Lloyd Evans and building contractors Pritchard and Lichfield who will be carrying out the work.”

Oldham has the most Grade II-listed buildings in Greater Manchester, outside Manchester itself.

Foxdenton Hall is the only Grade II* listed building in Chadderton and because of its beauty, its setting and its history, is deemed a real asset to the community.

Previously owned by the Radclyffe family and sold to the Chadderton Urban District Council in 1960, it fell into disrepair after been closed to the public for several years due to safety reasons.

Local historians and community groups keen to save this beautiful manor house are appealing for the help of the public through Chadderton Together in order to save this vital piece Oldham’s heritage.

Gareth Williams, operations manager at Viridor Credits, said: “Congratulations to the people of Chadderton on securing the award through the Landfill Communities Fund.

“At Viridor Credits, we were delighted to support this important community facility and we look forward to seeing the finished renovation.”

There is still much fund raising to be done towards the ultimate goal of breathing new life into the much-loved Foxdenton Hall.

Rev John Simmons added: “There is one final piece of the jigsaw that remains to be found before work can finally begin on the pavilion.

“The Viridor Credits grant will meet the costs of all the major work, except the installation of a new kitchen for which we are appealing for help from local businesses.”

Fundraising to preserve the parks historical assets is on-going and there will be a spectacular “Music in the Park” event tomorrow, featuring young people from Oldham Music Service.

Held between 11am and 4pm there will be brass, string and wind ensembles alongside children’s activities, stalls and refreshments organised by Chadderton Together.

For more information go to www.chaddertontogether.co.uk.