The route terminates at the Friezland end by making a loop through Grasscroft, dropping into Friezland along High Grove Road. Stagecoach’s 405 was an Alexander-bodied Mercedes O.811D and is on High Grove Road and about to cross the formation of the Greenfield to Oldham railway adjacent to the site of Grasscroft Halt. The bridge over the road was quite low and would probably have prevented even these vehicles using this road prior to its removal.

A rear view of S925 SVM at Friezland church, with Wharmton and its television relay station clearly visible through the gap in the trees.

With the withdrawal of the 156 service I assumed that was the end of bus operation along Church Road in Friezland. I would never have predicted the possibility of two buses running along there on different services at the same time. That happened for a short period due to the closure of the top of Oaklands Road for wall repair works which resulted in the diversion of the 354 service this way. These two apparently identical Bu-Val buses are actually different sizes. The front vehicle is the diverted 354 and behind is the former Bluebird bus on a 351 working to Rochdale.

Stagecoach 405 waits for time on Church Road in Friezland, with the elegant tower of Christ Church visible (and under repair) in the background. The church was consecrated in 1850 following a generous endowment by Ralph Whitehead, the owner of the nearby Royal George Mills, although its construction and extensions took several years. Some of the stone apparently came from excavations associated with the new railway from Greenfield to Oldham.

As the other pictures show, the 351 terminates on Church Road but on this final occasion was to be found at the bottom of Oaklands Road. Whilst I suspect it was just a short cut, significantly the 353 went up this way at this time as Church Road was obstructed. The final working on the 351 was only advertised as far as Uppermill but worked direct from there to Rochdale as that was where the bus went to take up its next working.

The same bus viewed through the lychgate of Christ Church, Friezland, on the same occasion.

S925 SVM has just set off from Friezland church and is heading for Rochdale, despite the destination display! This junction here was the original terminus of North Western’s 156 service, but that was latterly extended along Church Road to the bottom of High Grove Road.

The last advertised through working from Friezland to Rochdale leaves Friezland Church. The bus was to return two hours later for the last time.

The last-ever 351 leaves Friezland for Uppermill.

Earlier on the last day a 351 is seen further along Shaw Hall Bank Road with the terminus in the far distance.

A closer view as the bus passes the photographer. There have clearly been some stability problems with the railway retaining wall over the years, leading to the addition of the flying buttresses. In addition the top of the wall dips down at this point - I have vague memories of this wall collapsing in the early 'sixties and being rebuilt in this fashion.

The 351 goes up the hill past the station, as a reminder that these services were once timed to connect with trains here. The rear number display is clearly visible in this shot.

R219 AOR pauses in Uppermill square where, as it is a Wednesday, the market is present. To the right work can be seen taking place on the development on the site of Central Garage. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Bu-Val’s M367 CUF was new to Heron of Crawley and has been a regular performer on Bu-Val’s Saddleworth services. It has just completed a loop into Nudger Green, Dobcross.

The 351 was the only bus service ever to use Wall Hill Road and this bus is nearly at the bottom of the hill, having just crossed the bridge over the former branch line to Delph.

Seen from high above, Optare Metrorider M933 FTN climbs Wall Hill Road. Barmeadow in Dobcross is visible across the valley.

R219 AOR has almost reached the top of Wall Hill Road in crisp February sunshine. It is freshly painted out of the advertising livery previously carried (see other photos in this collection).

The 351 service makes use of the A62 for a short stretch from the Star Inn at Scouthead to the top of Wall Hill Road and R801 WJA is seen there heading for Friezland on the first journey of the day.

Mid-April is late for snow even at Scouthead. Bu-Val’s R801 WJA turns down Doctor Lane at the Old Original.

The 351 serves a good selection of Saddleworth's pubs and is passing the Old Orginal at Doctor Lane Head, above Scouthead. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Universal 813 is on Thurston Clough Road used by this service and the 356. To the right of the bus can be seen the end of houses by the erstwhile Cross Keys Inn, on the A62 which roughly follows Thurston Clough Road but at a lower level.

Slightly further back than the previous photograph, R219 AOR climbs out of Thurston Clough.

Knott Hill stands above Delph village and the summit is visible to the top right of this view of R219 AOR (again). The advertising livery is clearly visible.

Taken from across Thurston Clough shortly before the previous view, this one shows the same bus rounding the curve around Rough Knarr. In the background the A62 can be seen climbing out of New Delph with Harrop Edge (which separates Delph and Diggle) behind.

The same bus is seen in the same spot travelling in the opposite direction (towards Rochdale). This time the view is from the top of Wall Hill and R219 AOR has lost its advertising livery.

This view shows the 351 leaving Delph and making a start on the slog up Stoneswood Road. This section of route was common to both Saddleworth’s rural buses (351 and 356). The advertising livery carried by this bus was for Mr. Thomas’ fish and chip restaurant at Hollingworth Lake.

Stagecoach Mercedes 532 heads through Delph, passing the modern replica lamp that was recently erected near to the place where the original village lamp stood.

R219 AOR is not hampered by an excessive passenger load as it makes good progress up the hill out of Denshaw towards Newhey. It is about to pass the Alpine restaurant.

Universal 816 is well above Newhey on its way to Denshaw in almost exactly the same location as North Western 224 in the 156 collection. The panorama behind has Ogden reservoir in the near distance. Behind the hill in the middle distance is Hollingworth Lake whilst Wardle is near the top left hand corner, with Watergrove reservoir on the hillside above the village.