Charity hike was winner for pupils
10 YEARS AGO: ARDY hikers raised £1,000 for children in special schools by taking part in a 24-mile sponsored walk.
The walk from Halifax to the Harrow Inn, Marland, was successfully completed by 15 walkers in just seven hours.
John Powell, aged 48, one of the Harrow Inn regulars, came up with the idea to raise money for the former pupils of Birtle View special school which had closed that summer.
Mr Powell said: “These children need as much help as possible, as much as they can get. We have raised about £1,000 up to now and we are still waiting for more money to come in.
“We were very
“We have high visibility jackets, transport and four checkpoints, where the walkers could take a rest and drink a cup of tea.”
Mr Powell was introduced to the school by one of its governors and decided to organise and co-ordinate the event.
Hwellorganised. John Powell and friends went on a sponsored walk to Halifax to raise money for pupils of the former Birtle View Special school A senior lunchtime supervisor hung up her apron after 30 happy years.
Marie Jennings said a tearful goodbye to pupils and staff at St Patrick’s RC Primary School, Foxholes, at a special leavers’ Mass.
The final day was particularly moving for Mrs Jennings because she was leaving behind her eldest daughter Wendy Fitzgerald who worked as a PA and her granddaughter Katie Fitzgerald who was a pupil there.
Mrs Jennings, of Bernard Street, Syke, started at St Patrick’s as a dinner lady after moving to Rochdale from Dun Laoghaire in Ireland.
She had seen three headteachers during her time at the school.
All 300 children, staff and parents packed out the school hall to say goodbye to their friend.
She was showered with cards and gifts including a companion bench set and champagne glasses. RAIN couldn’t put a dampener on the summer fun at Meadowfields Community Centre open day.
Families crowded in to take part in the activities, including den building, face painting and badge making.
Budding young DJ’s took a spin on the decks and kept everyone dancing thanks to a DJ workshop, while for those who wanted a more relaxing activity, holistic therapist Julie Reid provided hand massages for parents while youngsters took advantage of the fun activities.
Tracey Coatman from Meadowfields said: “It was really busy all day.
“Despite the rain it was still very good. The den building workshop was an absolute godsend because the children could carry on playing under it and stay dry.” THREE generations at Castlemere Community Centre received well deserved certificates for their involvement in an after-school language club.
The classes organised by Ghulam Shahzad, taught spoken Urdu and Arabic.
Basic Urdu and Arabic greetings were also taught to members of the fire and rescue service.
The mayor and mayoress, Councillor Peter Evans and Mrs Helen Evans, visited the community centre and presented everyone with their certificates of achievement, awarded by Excellence in Education For All.
Ghulam said: “There is no age limit to learning and I am very pleased with the outcome of these classes.” ALMOST 200 school children from Royton and Shaw put pen to paper to help police tackle pickpocketing and bag-snatching in the area.
The youngsters all took part in a poster competition organised by local police community support officers. Katie Dolotko, an 11-year-old pupil at Royton’s St Aiden and St Oswald RC Primary, won first prize for her poster design that features a warning to Royton residents.
Ajay Hirani from Thorp Primary came second and Jessica Frizzell from High Barn Primary was third.
Fourth spot went to Rushcroft Primary school girl Teegan Grit.
Chief Superintendant Caroline Ball picked the winning design, which
Marie Jennings and husband Terence with children Ciaran Barlow,Naoimi Molokwu,Katie fitzgerald (grandaughter} and Conor Barlow after her retirement presentation at St Patrick’s were printed and displayed around the two towns.
She said: “It is important that residents of Shaw and Royton keep their belongings near and keep their eyes open for anyone suspicious.” MEMBERS of the Auxiliary enjoyed card games, tasty food and a raffle at their annual garden party and raised £400 for two good causes.
Thirty people didn’t let a brief spell of rain spoil the charity afternoon at the Church Inn in Wilbutts Lane.
Sandwiches, fancy cakes, vol-au-vents, sausage rolls and chicken drumsticks were served. There was also a drinks stall and a raffle with a food hamper up for grabs.
Money from the event would go to Springhill Hospice and Moorland Children’s Home in Rochdale.
Secretary Chris Lee said: “We had to go indoors for about 15 minutes when it rained. But then the sun came back out again and we wen back outside.
“It was a very successful afternoon.”
Rochdale Ladies Auxiliary, which comprises landladies, has so far raised £2,000 this year are with events including the garden party. It has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the hospice and children’s home since it was formed more than 40 years ago.