Vicar got in tune for new challenge
●●10 YEARS AGO:
APROMISE to himself to look to the future encouraged retired vicar Graham Marshall to set up the Rochdale Light Orchestra.
Every year, the 69-yearold from Sudden set himself a new challenge or goal.
“Since I had treatment for cancer 12 years ago, every year I’ve decided to do something that means I’ve got to be here in 12 months’ time,” he said.
Previous landmarks included writing a concerto and becoming a season ticket holder at Manchester United, but this pledge was to be the biggest yet.
The former vicar of St Luke’s, Chadderton, hoped to get together 30 to 40 musicians to realise his dream.
“There isn’t such an opportunity for people locally to get together to play and perform light music,” he added. “There’s a tremendous amount of ●●The first meeting of Rochdale Light Orchestra at St Aidan’s Church hall. With conductor Graham Marshall were, from the left, Lesley Reading, Emma Pearson, Jane Chadwick and Martin Hagan excellent music making of classical and of the more popular variety or specialist music but no orchestra to play the kind of music many people have enjoyed for years and years.”
After giving up hopes of being a full-time composer and conductor to the enter of the church, the grandfather of one has still enjoyed some success with his music.
His pieces have been performed by the Oldham Symphony Orchestra, in the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and even in a church in Florida. A KIND-HEARTED 12-year-old went the extra distance in her challenge to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Kelsey Jarman-Naylor, of Christopher Acre, Norden, took part in a sponsored swimathon for the charity, which provides nursing treatment for cancer patients.
The Oulder Hill Community School pupil was required to swim 60 lengths of Gaskell Swimming Baths, Heywood, for the challenge.
But when she realised that 64 lengths equalled a mile, she decided to push herself that bit further.
Cheered on by her mother Alison, grandmother Doreen and seven-year-old brother Corrigan, Kelsey raised more than £100 with her first mile swim. Alison said: “She didn’t know that she would be swimming a mile until she got into the pool and one of the instructors said that 64 lengths equalled a mile.” SCHOOLCHILDREN in Tunisia were able to keep up with the adventures of Pippy Longstocking and the Famous Five after pupils at Springhill High School donated their library books.
The school, in Turf Hill Road, decided to replace its library books after new librarian, Karen Taylor, found many of the books were out of date.
The books were donated to the Lycee FattoumaBourguiba School in Montasir which was in the midst of building an English Language Library.
She said: “Some of the books were 10 years out of date and hadn’t been taken out of the library in three or four years so we decided to update them.
“Anis Baker, a teaching assistant here, is from Tunisia and he suggested we give the spare books to the school there. They love to read English.” TWO former homeless women were recognised for their role in a film about living on the streets in Rochdale.
Marine Hines and Joyce Somerville were presented with certificates from the Open College for their part in the planning, filming and production of a film about the Petrus Women’s Supported Housing Project.
Petrus aims to get homeless people back on their feet by providing them with a supported accommodation, and the film, called Petrus – My Story, reveals how the project helps people like Marie and Joyce make a fresh start.
Paul Rowen, then MP, who presented the award, said: “It is powerful story about people’s experiences and how Petrus helped them.
“I am delighted to be able to present these certificates which help to recognise the work and learning undertaken in making the film.” RELIGION and the arts had gone hand in hand for generations although the links had not been as strong in recent years.
But one small Royton church attempted to redress the balance in celebrating God through creativity.
Gravelhole Methodist Church held an arts festival attended by about 250 visitors.
Festival coordinator, Josie Smith, said historically the relationship between the church and arts is very close with music accompanying worship for the best part of 1,000 years.
Mrs Smith said: “For such a small church it was a big event it went extremely well.” CARTOON characters, babies, a whoopie cushion and a Premier League footballer all helped the Steve Rothwell Road Race to go with a bang.
The overall winner was Danny Brocklehurst from Trafford.
The first Rochdale runner was Matthew Proctor, from Wardle, in 21 minutes and 34 seconds and the first Rochdale woman was Linda Evans of Norden in 28 minutes 38 seconds.
Mr O’Sullivan said: “I think this year’s race was the best yet.”