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Long way from Tipperary to Stalybridge!

Sue Carr
13/ 8/2003

TIPPERARY may be a long way from Tameside, but there is a famous connection - at least according to the borough's archive office.

Archivists at Tameside Local Studies Unit have discovered the popular song 'It's A Long Way to Tipperary' was originally written and performed in Stalybridge.

It was the creation of composer and music hall entertainer Jack Judge.

According to records from 1912, Jack was bet five shillings that he could not have a new song written and ready for performing within a day.

And after overhearing two Stalybridge men discussing directions, he was inspired to write the wartime hit which was first played at the Grand Theatre on Corporation Street.

This local link is just one of the fascinating facts to be discovered prior to the North West Archive Festival next month.

Based at Astley Cheetham Public Library, Tameside's archive unit holds thousands of fascinating finds.

Researchers have also unearthed documents about the controversial religious figure John Wroe who planned to turn Ashton into the `New Jerusalem.'

Local archivist Michael Keane said: "We're throwing open our doors and want everyone to enjoy Tameside's hidden treasures in September.

"Our archives are full of finds and we are actively encouraging new visitors to pay us a visit and discover some of these for themselves."

The festival highlight will be the launch of an online database of information about soldiers from Denton who fought in the First World War.

Nick Hulme, one of the festival organisers, added: "A lot of people think that archives are just dusty old records for things like researching your family tree. This is to show them that they can be unusual and interesting too so come along and be surprised!"

Tameside Local Studies and Archives Unit is closed Thursdays and Sundays but open weekdays from 9am-7.30pm and from 9am-4pm on Saturdays.

For more information call 0161 3382708.