Bishop was VIP guest at service
●●10 Years ago: PUPILS and staff from St Michael’s CE Primary School welcomed a very special guest to school - the Bishop of Manchester.
The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch made time in his schedule to visit children from Year Six at the Bamford school.
During his flying visit, he also attended a service of celebration at St George’s Church, Oakenrod, where he met representatives from the local community.
More than 100 people attended the service and he was welcomed by the Rev Paul Gully, vicar of St George and St Michael’s churches.
Mr Gully said: “The Bishop offered to lay his hands on all of the congregation and anoint them with holy oil.
“Nearly all were annointed and it was a very moving service.
“He was also very warm with the children at the school and he telephoned me after his visit to say how much he’d enjoyed visiting the town and how he had been made to feel welcome by everyone.
“He also visited some of the congregation who are poorly at their homes and they all remarked how they had appreciated his efforts.” YOUNGSTERS from Turners Dance Studio won trophies and prizes at a dance festival in Wales.
Six girls from the school, in George Street, spent a weekend at a the Haven holiday park in Caerphilly and took part in many competitions, scooping the top prize in the solo and slow dance competitions.
Jason Steele, a teacher at the school, said: “We had a great weekend and I was very impressed that the girls did so well in the competitions.
“They won trophies, T-shirts and goody bags, one of our students even won an iPod.”
There was also a group of 16 students from the studio who won the adult freestyle championship at the Blackpool Dance Festival.
The group, ‘Spirit’ impressed the judges and took home the trophy.
The Cheeky Bits, stars of TV show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ went on to win the under-12 competition.
Mr Steele said: “We were really pleased with the results.
“All the groups at the school have worked really hard to prepare for the competition and it’s definitely paid off.” A SPRINGHILL Hospice volunteer received a service badge and celebrated his birthday on the same day. Terry Ashcroft, who had worked in the hospice charity shop in Yorkshire Street for two years, was 60.
After his session in the shop, a number of colleagues joined him for a party with his family and friends at the Richmond Hall, where guests enjoyed a buffet and karaoke.
His carer, Michael Russel, said: “Terry has always liked doing jobs, so we made some enquiries a couple of years ago to find if there was a charity where he could help.
“He went to the hospice shop in Yorkshire Street for a couple of weeks and two years later he’s still there.
“Terry loves meeting people and he’s made a lot of new friends in the shop.”
Mr Russell said his friend has a great birthday and added: “Everyone loves him.”
Retail manager Jacqueline Swires said they were pleased to present Mr Ashcroft, who has Downs syndrome, with his two-year service badge.
“We wanted to acknowledge his contribution to the shop, where he’s helped out for two years, because we appreciate his service - as we do all our volunteers.” BOND is back - but not as you know it.
The St George’s social committee enjoyed its latest thespian musical spectacular ‘Sermons are Forever.’ In a tale of intrigue, skulduggery and romance, James Bond charted his way through an intricate plot involving meat pies, indigestion pills and Accrington Stanley.
The show featured the usual Bond mix of beautiful girls and evil villains, along with additional characters Dr Wo and a Countess Von Thatcher.
The sellout performance took place at St George’s Church Hall in Oakenrod. ONE Smithy Bridge girl had certainly got the gift of the gab.
Sofia Meadowcroft, aged 10, won a top elocution prize from a London drama academy.
It was the second year running Sofia, of Little Clegg Road, had come out on top among pupils at Beech House School to take the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art award.
Mother Lisanne hoped it would help her daughter pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
She said: “We are really proud of her.
“She says she wants to be an actress so the lessons should really help her and it is good for Sofia to have experience of speaking in front of adults.” BARGAIN-HUNTERS turned out to support a bric-a-brac and car boot sale for St Andrew’s Church.
Attractions at the event in Smith Street included homemade cakes and an array of stalls selling goods ranging from videos to jewellery.
Brenda Jones, an elder of the church, said: “Attendance was good and we had a steady flow of visitors throughout the morning.
“All the stalls inside the church were taken and because the weather was fine we even had people turning up outside.
“The day was well supported and we sold all kinds of things, such as toys, clothing and pottery items.”
Refreshments were also on offer and hungry shoppers tucked into delicious bacon butties from the cafe which proved to be very popular. The fair raised more than £330 and was donated to church funds.