 Oldham 's social history , like that of other former <unk> towns , is marked by <unk> civil disturbances , as well as events related to the <unk> , <unk> and other Labour movements from the working classes . There has been a significant presence of " friendly societies " . It has been put that the people of Oldham became radical in politics in the early part of the 19th century , and movements suspected of <unk> found patronage in the town . Oldham was frequently disturbed by bread and labour riots , facilitated by periods of <unk> and the disturbance of employment following the introduction of cotton @-@ spinning machinery . 
