The earliest known evidence of a human presence in what is now Sholver and adjacent Moorside is attested by the discovery of Neolithic flint arrow-heads and workings found at Besom Hill, implying habitation 7–10,000 years ago.

[5][6] Indeed, Norsemen occupied Sholver in the 10th century,[7] where they erected shielings - temporary huts in a remote pasture akin to the style of living done in their native Scandinavia.

At the end of the 17th century the medieval timber and plaster dwellings were replaced by solid farms in the local grey sandstone, without substantial changes in the sites of the buildings.

[6] Among early historical references to this area we find, in 1212, Ralph Tagun held Sholver as 4 oxgangs of land; it was part of the Nevill estate then in hand of King John.

[8] As cotton milling was introduced in the 18th century, the cottage industry of Sholver declined, and instead became an important source of coal which was growing in demand.

[6] The Oldham County Borough Council began construction on its huge Sholver housing estates on what had been farm pastureland.

[6] This increase in population has changed Sholver in its character from a cluster of houses sheltering under the brow of a hill to a large council estate.

Like all past national commemorative programmes (e.g. the Waterloo Churches, and the planting of trees to celebrate the Jubilees of Queen Victoria), the Millennium Greens are about defining the present in order to create the heritage of the future.

[13] [14][15] At 53°33′57.9″N 2°4′29.1″W / 53.566083°N 2.074750°W / 53.566083; -2.074750 (53.566097, -2.074748), Sholver stands on a steep hillside, about 1,000 feet (304.8 m) above sea level, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Oldham's commercial centre, nearly at the northeasternmost extremity of the town.