OLDHAM

urban area and metropolitan borough, metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, England. The historic town of Oldham and the western part of the borough lie in the historic county of Lancashire, while the eastern part of the borough, including such areas as Uppermill, Saddleworth, Delph, and Denshaw, belongs to the historic county of Yorkshire. The borough lies on the northeastern periphery of Greater Manchester on the western edge of the Pennines near the source of the River Medlock. It is named for the Oldham family, who lived in Werneth Hall during the Middle Ages. Oldham was the centre for an agricultural district with a woolen industry until the 19th century, when it became a major cotton-spinning and weaving town. Today industries are more diversified and range from vehicle building to electronics. Much of the borough is still open countryside. Notable buildings include Oldham parish church, built in 1933, and the old Town Hall, built in 184142. Foxdenton Hall, Chadderton, a brick manor house dating from about 1700, was one of the homes of the de Trafford family. William Cobbett and Sir Winston Churchill were both members of Parliament from Oldham, and the composer Sir William Walton was born there. Area 54 square miles (141 square km). Pop. (1998 est.) 219,200.