Chance to name latest town hall falcons

A COMPETITION to name this year’s flock of town hall falcons has been launched.

Nature lovers have again been challenged to find unique names for the three young chicks living at the top of town hall.

Last year’s competition really took off, with hundreds of people showing an eagle-eye for interesting names for the young birds. Each winner will receive a £20 voucher to spend at the town hall’s Clock Tower Restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the Grade 1 listed building.

Local schools will once again be taking part in the competition, with a number of classes already keeping a close eye on council’s live webcam of the nesting area.

Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for culture, said: “The falcon chicks have captivated nature lovers from across the globe, with bird followers loving the council’s brilliant live webcam. “Last year’s fledgling competition really ‘took flight’ and I am sure entries will ‘flock in’ from across the borough!”

Suggestions for chick names can be emailed to falcons@rochdale.gov. uk or sent the council’s Facebook page or submitted on twitter using the hashtag #RochFalcons.

The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday, June 6. The winners will be notified by Wednesday, June 13.

Last year’s falcon chicks were named Millennium Falcon, Freddie, Perrie and El Superfasto.

●●At the handover of Fred and Mary Bottomley’s windfall are (from left) Ken Davies MBE, former hospice fundraising manager and trustee, June Rowlands, Julie Halliwell, hospice chief executive, Ray Farrell and Robert Clegg OBE, chairman of the hospice...