Minister helped his flock brush up on art skills
●●10 Years Ago:
ART classes at Ogden Baptist Church were more popular than ever during the summer.
There were 25 members with up to 19 turning up for any one session.
The classes were led by the minister, the Rev Derek Lawrence, who taught how to draw and use watercolours.
Mr Lawrence said: “There seems to be three distinct groups - those who no longer need supervision, the bulk who are moving on and doing quite well and the very beginners.
“We have had new members coming from other local churches and some who don’t go to any church.
“Many who came through the door say it is something they have always wanted to do and they are taking up the opportunity to have a go.
“We have a lot of fun and people take home a painting at the end of the session. “IT is all quite therapeutic.” ROCHDALE Canal Festival fun day brought a splash of colour to Ealees in Littleborough.
Visitors were treated to boat trips along the canal and music from the Littleborough Public Band, while kids were kept busy with donkey rides, face painting and bouncy castles.
Lauren Marson, aged 11, was named winner of the art competition, with Imogen Wastwood, aged 10, second and eight-year-old Anna Slough third.
The fun day signalled the start of two weeks of festivities along the canal bank.
Organiser Frances Fielding, of the council’s special project team, said: “It went really, really well.
“It was raining in the morning but more than 250 people still turned up and had a really good time.
“In fact the response to all the events we have run so far has been brilliant.” SCHOOLCHILDREN came up with their own ideas for the former Akzo Nobel chemical works.
Year 3 pupils at Smithy Bridge Primary School drew up alternative designs for the Hollingworth Road site, which could be developed into a housing estate.
The Woodford Group had applied for planning permission to build 165 homes, a restaurant, a pub and a showground at the old plant.
But teacher Deborah Battershell wanted to find out what the plans would look like if the kids were given a chance.
She said: “I went along to the exhibition Woodford held and I thought it was pretty run of the mill.
“So I thought it would be interesting to let the kids come up with their own more exciting and innovative ideas.
“It is important the children get involved with local issues such as the Akzo development because it is a big thing for the community.
“They came up with some fantastic ideas, but I don’t know how many would get planning permission.” PUPILS at St Mary’s Primary School, Balderstone, celebrated the end of their time in school with a special performance.
The talented Year 6 youngsters showed off their acting skills to pupils, parents, staff and special guests.
They included education welfare officer Kath Pennington, the Rev John Faraday, the vicar of St Mary’s Church and school improvement officer Robert Bonner.
They put on a performance of the popular Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.’ HIGH Crompton and a number of local pubs were invaded by an eclectic assortment of bunny girls, gringos, wrestlers and even the Dirty Dozen!
In fact 130 people in fancy dress from 16 teams were involved in what had become one of the area’s most colourful summer events, its annual beer walk for charity.
It was organised and run by High Crompton Christian Men’s Fellowship.
Beer walk organiser Roger Dennis said it had been a brilliant day with about £6,000 raised, which will go to local charities. VISITORS to Shawforth Methodist Church received the usual welcome at a coffee morning and bring and buy sale.
Despite the rain, the event attracted a good turnout, with £245 raised for church funds.
TAs well as the stalls and home-cooked lunches, snacks and provided from the kitchen.
Spokesman Brian Hodgson said: “It was a good turnout considering the weather.”