• Search

News

School closed, we’re off to sunny Spain!

El of a row as 21 go on a £5,691 teacher training jaunt to Barcelona
PARENTS are fuming after a school was closed for the day — so teachers could jet off to sunny Barcelona for staff training.

They point out that Whitegate End Primary School’s Mediterranean break comes as families struggle with the credit crunch and Oldham Council threatens to axe 850 jobs to cover a £17.3million budget shortfall.

And they have accused the Chadderton school of hypocrisy, saying

Date published: 07/10/2008

Todd’s turmoil laid bare

Police chief Michael Todd died from exposure after taking a cocktail of drink and drugs as his personal life unravelled, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mr Todd’s last text message had pleaded for forgiveness from an unnamed person, saying, “I’m sorry for what I have done, forgive me in another life.”

His body was later found on a lonely...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Illness can’t stop Jenny’s big day

HAPPY couple Jim and Jenny Rudd surrounded by family

JENNY BARNES thanked hospital staff after she married her tower of strength in a day that her family feared might never happen.

They ensured that the 60-year-old who is battling cancer...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Dad’s 2,000-mile wedding dash!

Long haul... (left to right) John Boycott (best man), Joyce Dean (bride’s mother), Louise and Tim Boycott, Terry Dean and Sharon Bright

A FATHER today told of his gruelling marathon journey to give his daughter away after her wedding went into meltdown when a holiday airline collapsed.

Terry Dean (62), of Chadderton,...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Teachers urged to back new strike

OLDHAM’S schools could be disrupted by a second strike by teachers this year.

Members of the UK’s biggest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), have been urged to vote yes to further action over pay.

The union sent out ballot papers yesterday to its 250,000 members.

In April, thousands of teachers walked out after a 2.45 per cent pay...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Trust job fears are dismissed

A REVIEW of Pennine Acute Trust’s radiology services involving a private company has sparked job fears among staff.

They spoke out about their worries after the move was revealed in an e-mail.

But a spokesman for the trust — which runs four hospitals, including the Royal Oldham — said the fears were unfounded.

He said: “We have no idea why...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Classroom claimants costing schools

SCHOOLS across the country have paid out almost £2million in compensation to pupils after they slipped, tripped or fell in the playground.

In 2007/08, Oldham’s local education authority has shelled out more than £20,000. A whopping £13,700 was given to one child alone who sliced the top of a finger off after climbing a security gate and swinging on...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Trio win readers’ hearts

Sarah Jayne Atkin

THE Atkin family of Higginshaw are in a class of their own when it comes to appealing children.

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder. But readers have made 16-month-old Sarah Jayne...

Date published: 07/10/2008

‘Ignorant’ parents blamed for fat children

IGNORANT parents are today blamed for adding to £67 million being spent in Oldham on dealing with problems of overweight.

A staggering £67.5 million was forked out last year as a result of obesity. And it is predicted to rise to £74.9 million in 2015 if action is not taken.

Information published today for the first time shows a breakdown of the cost...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Hospital secretary’s overtime hours fiddle

A FORMER Royal Oldham Hospital theatre secretary who falsely claimed £1,084 in overtime has been sentenced to community service.

Leanne Forbes (29), of Palm Grove, Chadderton, pleaded guilty at Oldham Magistrates’ Court last month to four counts of dishonestly falsifying documents for accounting purposes.

But she will only serve 120 hours of her 180-hour...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Disabled people’s lifeline closed

DISABILITY Action Oldham, a service which has helped thousands of disabled people claim benefits, has closed down.

The organisation, previously called Oldham DIAL, helped gain millions for local disabled people during its 17-year history.

Most of its work, which was offered free of charge, was carried out from its base at the Disability Resource Centre in Honeywell...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Plan for old chapel is refused

SADDLEWORTH PLANNING
Plans to convert a former chapel at Delph into nine apartments were strongly criticised at Saddleworth Planning Committee last night.

The committee’s conservation group recommended refusal at the former Delph Chapel, Hill End Road, on several grounds.

They said that plans to remove gravestones were unacceptable.

There were objections to...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Remploy’s new branch

A NEW recruitment service for people with disabilities and health conditions has opened in Oldham, marking a significant expansion in the region by Remploy.

The new branch, in Union Street, provides a range of specialist recruitment and development services for job-seekers wanting to return to work or get a job for the first time.

It is the second to open in the area...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Snuffing out danger fireworks

FIREFIGHTERS in Greater Manchester are holding a firework amnesty to cut the number of bonfire night accidents.

The amnesty — which saw fireworks already collected destroyed today — is part of the Treacle Partnership — a county-wide collaboration designed to reduce the impact of fireworks, bonfires and associated anti-social behaviour.

Last year,...

Date published: 07/10/2008

Police and eBay link-up

GREATER Manchester Police is working with eBay to help keep people safe online.

Around 120 officers will be trained by the website’s fraud investigations team to improve their understanding of the site.

The training programme includes a detailed look at eBay’s fraud prevention initiatives, including fighting counterfeits and professional fraud, and police...

Date published: 07/10/2008

More News