Master Alan was toast of the north
●●10 YEARS AGO: NE of Rochdale’s best dressed businessmen, Alan Calow, was honoured by a prestigious organisation.
A toastmaster for 17 years, he was elected president of the Northern Guild of Toastmasters, recognised as one of the premier organisations in the profession.
He officiates at wedding receptions, dinners and awards ceremonies.
He said: “One of my favourite local venues is the magnificent Town Hall, where I recently officiated at the Woman of Rochdale Luncheon for Springhill Hospice and the Mayor’s Ball.”
OSMALLBRIDGE Youth Group celebrated after receiving a £23,600 grant.
A cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund was to help young people research their personal history with food, music, sport and employment.
It was also to enable them to explore their own cultural and social experiences.
The grant was set to pave the way for new facilities and apparatus.
Andrew Bailey, group chairman, was delighted with the news.
He said: “We have quite a diverse mix of people in Smallbridge and it is important that people understand their heritage and historical points of reference.
“Sometimes people forgot their backgrounds and these kind of projects can help break down boundaries and help different communities and communicate.
“It is really all about cohesion.” A splash of colour was added to Meanwood Primary School as youngsters of all ages took part in an arts week.
It saw them try out everything from chalk drawings to dazzling Bollywood displays.
A school spokeswoman said: “It has been a week of art, dance, drama and music.
“We have had artists come into school to teach the children and give displays, including dancers and Falinge Park High School.
“The children had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
“It was great to see them using their artistic talents.” THE new mayor and mayoress popped into Moorhouse Primary School to congratulate staff and pupils on winning an award.
Councillor Peter Evans and his wife Helen joined in a special ceremony to celebrate getting the ‘leading aspect’ certificate, which it shares jointly with Sandbrook Primary School.
Backed by the government, the trophy celebrates the efforts of schools who share ideas to promote good behaviour among pupils.
A school spokesman said: “The system has resulted in improved behaviour and attendance by the children.
“It has also encouraged positive relations with parents and improved the morale of staff.” ROCHDALE Artists presented Touchstones with a painting by one of its founding members on behalf of the people of the borough.
The picture, featuring the Town Hall in a snow scene, was painted by the late Berkeley Moir, who was one of the original members of Rochdale Artists, which was established in 1987.
It was presented to Touchstones by Jack Hammill, another founding member of the group, in memory of Berkeley Moir who died in December 2006.
The mayor, Councillor Peter Evans and mayoress Helen Evans also attended the presentation.
Chairman of Rochdale Artists Shahida Dolan said: “We did this to honour the memory of Berkeley Moir who was one of the founders of Rochdale Artists.
“The mayor and mayoress were lovely. The mayor was very interested in art and in the group.” A Rochdale charity provided 50 good reasons why the town should have faith in the young.
That is the number of local teenagers the Yorkshire-Street-based Rathbone presented certificates at an awards ceremony.
While Rathbone hopes its achievements will inspire more young people to invest in their futures, it also wants the rest of us to sit up and notice how productive the next generation can be.
Among the more recent group to ‘graduate’ were exWardle High School pupils Antonio Sheldon, who lives in Wardle and Hurstead teenager Stephen Quinn.
Certificates were also presented to young people who were starting out and working to improve their basic skills, concentrate on their attendance and become more motivated.
Their next steps are to go on and gain nationally-recognised qualifications and a place on one of Rathbone’s apprenticeship schemes.