Big award for top student William
●●10 Years ago:
AN EXCEPTIONAL student was rewarded for his achievements at an awards ceremony in Manchester.
William Downes, a former pupil at Falinge Park High School, was singled out from thousands of students for his achievements at the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council North West Learner Awards.
William, a Mentoring for Excellence student at Bury College, achieved four A grades at A level before continuing his education at Kings College, Cambridge, where he was reading aeronautical engineering.
William won the Further Education Academic Award, which acknowledges exceptional achievements. He was presented with his prize by BBC TV presenter John Craven OBE at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester.
Craven praised the winners for their dedication and achievement.
He said: “‘Apprenticeship is such an honourable world – skilled craftsmen and women passing on their knowledge and experience to ensure skills are restrained for future generations. Tonight you are the stars of the show, the future of this country and you are all winners – congratulations.” WARDLE High School pupil Scott Harrison had not missed a single lesson in 11 years of schooling.
The injury-prone 16-year-old went to extraordinary lengths to keep up his unblemished record. He soldiered on through lacerated feet and all the usual childhood illnesses.
And in primary school he even taught himself to write with his wrong hand after falling off a chair and breaking his arm.
Just four days after the accident he was back in class for the start of the new term.
And it seems his good example caught on.
Sarah Booth, aged 16, had not had a day off in secondary school, while 20 other pupils had not been absent during year 11.
Attendance supervisor Angela Golden said: “It is a fantastic achievement and they are in absolute credit to the school.
“There cannot be many pupils in the country who finish school without having a day off.
“I get lots of employers ringing me up for references and I think this kind of record looks fantastic.
“It has set both of them in very good stead for life.” ROCHDALE Fire Station Museum held an open day to celebrate 100 years of Dennis fire engines and two Dennis trailer pumps.
The oldest Dennis fire engine they had was built in 1929 and served with the Manchester Fire Brigade.
Other Dennis engines travelled from as far afield as Liverpool and Hull to join in the celebrations.
Officer in charge, Bob Bonner, said: “The Dennis fire engine is very well known within the fire service, but they have been replaced with other vehicles in recent years.
“When we heard it was the 100-year anniversary, we decided to do something to mark this, as people are very interested in looking at these old engines.
“It was a great day and it’s brilliant to do something like this.” A CORONATION Street star swapped the famous cobbles and a great dane for the Rochdale Exchange shopping centre and a spring lamb.
Sam Aston – Chesney Battersby-Brown on the show – joined the staff from Animal Quakers farm in Bacup for a day of fun in the town centre.
Emus, rabbits, baby chicks and a lamb from the open farm were all on show for shoppers to pet and pose for pictures.
Owner Helen Bork said: “Sam really enjoyed the day, as did we all.
“It went really well and all the animals gained a lot of attention.” STEVENSON Square was in bloom, thanks to an £815 grant from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.
Local children worked with members of Smallbridge Tenants’ and Residents’ Association to plant flowers outside their base.
Peter Brierley, chairman of the association, praised the efforts of the youngsters who took part in the project.
He said: “It was a very good day and everyone worked really hard.
“I’d like to thank the children for their help because they did most of the work.” RIDERS from Milnrow and Newhey’s Bridleways Association made a special delivery to St Thomas’s Church following a charity horse ride.
Members of the group and their faithful steeds stopped by to drop off a cheque for £920, to help refurbish the church devastated by fire at Christmas.
Riders were sponsored to take part in either a five, 10, 15 or 20-mile trek.
A total of £200 was also raised by friends of the church who completed the undulating moorland courses on foot.
Lesley Hopley, who organised the event, said: “We’re very close to St Thomas’ Church and when we saw it go up in flames, we were devastated.
“The local population have been very sympathetic towards the church and we felt that we wanted to do something to help.”
Vicar, the Rev Graham Lindley, said: “It’s wonderful that the group decided to support us and raise this money for us.
“We really appreciate all the support and help we are receiving.
“They are all village people so they’ve been feeling the hurt from the fire as much as anyone else.”