Kind-hearted Joan was star turn in store
●●10 YEARS AGO: A generous Wilkinson’s employee was given a Local Star award in recognition of her local charity work.
Joan Tattersall, aged 55, of Elmsfield Avenue, Norden, worked at the Rochdale branch and was nominated for the award by her colleague Nasreen Akhtar.
She gave the £100 prize to Alder Hey children’s hospice.
She said: “I belong to Norden Methodist Church and there is a lad there who was born with a hole in his heart and has gone through a few operations.
“I wanted to help him and others. A competition at North Manchester Golf Club brought a surprise donation of almost £800 for Springhill Hospice.
Organisational development manager Julie Helliwel welcomed the golf club’s captain Peter Gilmartin and general manager Gerald Heaslip to the hospice to accept the £790 the competition raised and to show them round. She said: “They were very impressed with the work we do and it looks like they may bear us in mind again.”
Former Manchester United footballer Brian Kidd came up with the idea that the hospice should benefit.
Julie said: “He and his son, who went on to win the competition, suggested that we should benefit and we’re very grateful they did.” A host of magical activities was conjured up as part of a celebration at Syke Community Base.
Children were treated to a magical show, which included plate spinning, to mark the end of their summer playscheme organised by Rochdale and District Play Action Council.
Fiona Walker, manager at the base, said: “The show went really well and they had a great time. The club has been very successful. The children have been painting, creating treasure boxes and much more.
“There has also been a big emphasis on healthy eating this year.” MULTI-SPORTS sessions had been kicking off all summer with children from the Kirklee, Meadway and Chesham estates getting active.
Organiser Emma Lord said: “Last week we tried aerobics for the first time and it was brilliant.
“The children all seemed to love it and were asking if we could do it again.
“We have been doing the sessions every week for some time and I have been volunteering for my community since I was 14.
“It’s great the kids have joined in, they are so well behaved and a credit to the area.”
The youngsters have played football, basketball, Kwik cricket, rounders and have tried dance and relay racing.
Emma added: “We applied for the funding so the children could all come together from the different estates, mix together and make new friends.”
“We want to build a bond between the many different areas.”
Money from the sessions came from the Local Network Fund. ELLEN and William Campbell weren’t planning on a grand celebration to mark 50 years of married life together - but their family had other ideas.
The couple, from Canon Flynn Court, Newbold, were thrown a surprise party at Rochdale Cricket Club to commemorate their milestone.
They married on August 28, 1957 when Eileen was 21 and William was 30, in their hometown of Bambridge, in County Down, Ireland, before moving to Rochdale in 1960, where they raised three sons, Michael, Brian and Sean.
They first lived off Molesworth Street and later lived in homes in Bingley Terrace and Rathbone Street before moving to their current home 15 years ago.
Eileen said: “My wedding breakfast cost 12/6, you wouldn’t get much for that nowadays. ●●Wilkinson’s local star Joan Tattersall with colleagues Sue Hall and Sara Hussain, two of the many who nominated her for the award ●●Springhill Hospice development manager Julie Helliwell accepted £790 from Peter Gilmartin (captain) and Gerard Heaslip (general manager) of North Manchester Golf Club, who raised the money from a competition
“We went on our honeymoon to Dublin.” Describing Rochdale in the 1960s, William said: “It was a lovely town then. It was brilliant, there were plenty of places to work.”
William worked at Tathams for 30 years until he retired.
Eileen spent 10 years weaving at Highams and also worked at Vale Mill and Fairfield Slipper Works as a machinist until she retired.
Eileen added: “We’ve had a good life really. The kids keep you busy and they always come first.
“The neighbours are fantastic round here, everyone helps one another.
“We have a lot to be thankful for.” SUCCULENT steaks and sizzling sausages served with tasty salads raised £500 for church funds,
The wet weather didn’t stop a successful barbecue at the home of Felicity and Richard Guthrie.
The Bamford couple hosted the event to raise money for St Michael’s Church. Mr Guthrie prepared the steaks, church member Brian Scott cooked the sausages and women from the church prepared eight different salad dishes.
The delicious food was enjoyed with a glass of wine served by the hosts’ son, Charles Guthrie.
There was also a raffle and tombola run by Janet Whittle, Judith Saile and Enid Mayor.
Sixty people, from St Michael’s church and St James’ Church in Ashworth attended the barbecue.
Mrs Guthrie said: “Everyone enjoyed it and they have asked when I am having another one. It had been raining during the day and it was still damp but we made a tunnel of gazebos in the lawn. It went extremely well.”