Pride and joy

Proud: last year’s Special Achievement Award winner Liz Whitworth is presented with her trophy and framed front page by Oldham Mayor, Councillor John Hudson

TONIGHT the Chronicle produces a special edition to mark the 160th anniversary of the business.

And what better place to herald one of the newspaper’s biggest successes in recent decades — The Pride in Oldham Awards — and announce the launch of the 2014 search for award winners?

Now in its 13th year, Pride in Oldham celebrates the countless hours of hard work and selfless deeds carried out by Oldham people from all walks of life.

Since the awards began in 2002, more than 100 fantastic winners have walked the red carpet and hundreds more have been honoured as finalists.

There are plenty still of worthy people out there: individuals and groups who go above and beyond the call of duty, from charity stalwarts and groundbreaking groups to dedicated professionals and super schools.

The search starts today for this year’s crop of unsung heroes who deserve their moment in the spotlight and recognition for all they have achieved.

Nominations can be made for a range of categories: Voluntary, Professional, Group, Business, Health Worker, Education Worker, Schools and Special Achievement.

Closer to the awards dinner on November 14, readers will get the chance to choose the winner of the Chronicle Readers’ Choice award from across the categories.

And don’t forget two recently-added categories: Love Where You Live — which recognises those who have made a special effort under the council-inspired community project; and Oldham Ambassador, for people who are promoting Oldham to the rest of the country and beyond.

An independent judging panel will assess all the nominations and draw up a shortlist of three finalists in each category.

This year the awards will continue to have the magnificent support of several local businesses.

Molnlycke have been Pride sponsors since the start and JW Lees brewery and The Stoller Charitable Trust have long been stalwart supporters.

Pride in Oldham is now part of the “Oldham on the Map” family of events which includes the business awards, sports awards and mayor’s ball. First Choice Homes Oldham, Wilmot Dixon and Nov Mono Pumps are all supporters of the “Map” journey.

Chronicle managing editor David Whaley said: “The Chronicle has shown its commitment to Oldham over 160 years and it is humbling that we can play our part in acknowledging some of the inspirational people of the borough.”