Memories of Derker pub remain in the neighbourhood
22nd February 2008
The former Gardener’s Arms public house in Derker has been demolished to provide a site for new modern homes in the neighbourhood.
However, part of the pub’s heritage will remain in the community, as the painted pub sign has been rescued.
Peter Hibberd of St James’ Church in Derker asked the HMR neighbourhood team if he could take the sign to be used at the church’s Summer Fair.
The church organises a summer and a Christmas Fair each year, which includes a wine bar, and it was felt that the Gardener’s Arms sign would help to recreate the pub at the summer event in June. It could become a regular feature for the Church’s events.
After demolition work is complete, the site will be added to adjacent land to be developed for new, high quality homes for the local community. The two-, three- and four-bedroom homes will have a high level of energy efficiency and be constructed from a mixture of traditional materials.
Peter said, “We were sorry to see the Gardeners’ arms go, but we can see the benefits of the work happening in Derker. I thought that this was a good way to preserve the sign and keep a memory of the pub for the community.”
St. James Ward Councillor, Roger Hindle said, "This is a terrific idea and well done to the Church for thinking of it. I am very keen that whatever artefacts we can keep during the redevelopment of Derker should be retained and when all the work is complete, perhaps they can be reused or displayed.”
Neighbourhood Programme Manager Julie Thompson added, "We were very pleased to help ensure that this part of Derker's history was retained. Derker has a proud heritage and in transforming the neighbourhood as a better place to live, we should respect the links to the past, present and future."
Pub signs from the Derker Hotel and Alexandra Hotel have also been retained.
Photo: Neighbourhood Programme Manager Julie Thompson , Councillor Roger Hindle, Jess Tindall of Booth Hill Reclamation, Peter Hibberd and Tony Heneghan, Oldham Council Senior Demolition Technician