PEOPLE with memories or old photos of the Crossley area of Chadderton in Oldham are sharing them with exhibition organisers.
Great Places Housing Group has launched a project to gather material about the social history of the area and put it on show, ahead of big changes.
The group, which is taking on management of the neighbourhood, has started its quest at Stockfield Mount, Lansdown Court and surrounding streets, borrowing photographs and talking to local people.
12 local residents attended the first drop-in session, including people who had lived in the tower blocks since they were built in 1970.
Daniel Mountford, community initiatives manager at Great Places, said: “As the area will be changing soon, this will help preserve memories and be an opportunity for neighbours to get together for a brew.”
Mother-of-three Joanne Cumberbirch, 42, chair of the Crossley Stakeholder Group, was brought up at Crossley and moved back as an adult.
She said: “It’s always been a lovely estate – people were always out and about when I was a kid.
“We had street parties for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and big organised firework displays on bonfire night. There are so many stories and memories about the people and places to capture.
“Even now, it’s a lovely community and everyone still knows everyone else. There are people who’ve lived here since the houses were first built.”
Joanne continued: “We can’t wait for changes and investment, it’s been a long time coming, but it’s important to record and celebrate the past too.”
There are plans for more sessions, an exhibition, and perhaps a book of the history of the area and its people.
Great Places is part of the Inspiral consortium – also involving Rok and Regenter - that has won a £130m contract to redevelop four neighbourhoods in Oldham.
The Gateways to Oldham scheme will see 430 new homes built and 332 refurbished, plus better public spaces, at Clarkwell, Crossley, Fitton Hill and Primrose Bank.