Pike tribute brass plaque goes missing

APPEAL . . . the missing plaque

A HEARTBROKEN mother has talked about the shock disappearance of a memorial plaque to her late parents.

The brass monument was placed on the top of Alphin Pike, one of Saddleworth's most iconic landmarks.

It has been erected in memory of a loving couple, Jack and Evelyn Davies, from Ashton.

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The couple had been married for 58 years when Mr Davies died suddenly at the age of 79.

Mrs Davies, who tragically had severe dementia, had to go into a care home and lived for another six years until she died, aged 84. Their daughter Janet Taylor (67), a mother-of-three from Mossley, took up the story.

She said: "The family talked about a fitting memorial and it was decided a plaque would be placed on top of Alphin Pike.

"The spot was chosen as my parents had links with the moors and, in particular, Alphin.

"It was also a spot which could be seen from the upstairs of my house in Mossley and where every morning I could view on opening my bedroom curtains."

Mrs Taylor made a trip to visit the plaque in December with her daughter, and two grandsons.

"We placed some daffodils there for Christmas," she said.

"All was in order and left intact. However, last weekend we made a further visit to the plaque and to our horror it was no longer there.

"A thorough search of the area was made ­- but to no avail, although the flowers were placed inside the shelter.

"As you can imagine this has proved very upsetting for all the family, especially when I open my curtains to look up at the trig point on Alphin and know the last memorial to my parents has been removed."

Now Mrs Taylor's daughter has appealed to the Chronicle and on social media for information on the whereabouts of the treasured plaque.

Sentimental

She said: "As we don't have a gravestone anywhere this was somewhere the family liked to visit.

"The plaque has great sentimental value.

"If anyone comes across it while walking in and around the area please make contact."


* Anyone with information is asked to contact reporter Ken Bennett.