Bakery staff in tribute march through Shaw

Date published: 13 February 2012

FORMER Warburtons Bakery workers marched through Shaw on Saturday to say thanks to the town.

More than 170 staff lost their jobs or were transferred when the 73-year-old factory closed a fortnight ago.

Around 50 employees, family, friends and supporters took part in the “closure to the closure” walk which was led by Oldham Scottish Pipe Band.

People came out of their houses to applaud as the former workers followed the route from the Glebe Street factory to the town centre. Volunteers also collected money for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Royton.

The march was organised by senior union rep Billy Clegg. He said: “This is not about Warburtons. This is about the workers and the people who have given their time and dedication to the company to make it the brand name it has become. It is also a way of saying thank you to all the people of Shaw for their support.”

Sue Howarth, whose husband worked at the factory, said: “It is to thank everybody for supporting Warburtons because it has been part of the community for so long. It is still a sad decision because there’s not many jobs about. There’s more people than jobs to go around.”