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Royton Extra

Lib-Dems make a splash with pool claim

THE Liberal Democrats claim they have found the funds to replace both Royton and Crompton swimming pools.

It’s among a range of proposals they are set to deliver as part of the party’s alternative budget.

Leader Howard Sykes slammed the borough’s leisure review as a “farce” because he said Labour was not open about its intentions, claiming it is the will, not the money, that is lacking.

But Oldham Council claims its consultation was extensive and fair

Date published: 21/02/2012

New life for Royton

DRAB public areas will be improved as part of the masterplan.

A MULTI-MILLION pound revamp of Royton centre is set to spark unprecedented regeneration for the area.

After months of uncertainty and rumours, the Chronicle can reveal the far-reaching...

Date published: 20/02/2012

Q: Which charity does Harry support?

QUIZmaster Harry Davies presents the cheque to Lorna Ball, Oldham branch organiser of Volunteers for Guide Dogs for the Blind, with (from left) Christine Rimmer and Questa, Pat Wild and Nella, and (right) Barbara Milhench and Quaver

A: Guide Dogs for the Blind, of course!
A QUIZMASTER with a heart-warming case of puppy love has helped raise the profile of one of the town’s most worthy charities.

Harry...

Date published: 16/02/2012

Jam and jewellery

JAMS, cupcakes and jewellery are up for grabs at a fundraiser at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Turf Lane, from 9am to 1pm on Sunday. Admission is free.



ST Mark’s Parish Hall, Heyside, is the venue for a fundraising rock band and potato pie supper night from 7.30pm on Saturday. It is in aid of the church building fund. Contact 0797-6900894 for tickets.


ENJOY a...

Date published: 16/02/2012

£360,000 for Oldham’s districts

SPORTS fans, skateboarders and walkers are some of the first groups to benefit from Oldham Council’s £360,000 District Investment Fund (DIF).

The scheme was set up to give residents more say over spending decisions across all six districts — enabling them to prioritise projects which matter to them.

Some of the schemes which received approval at last...

Date published: 15/02/2012

Lisa takes on the cold custard challenge

THUMBS-UP from Lisa Pearson (left) as she is doused in custard by Dog and Partridge landlord Nigel Lea, along with Stacey Chatterley

Bath time!
CUSTARD was served cold and runny for a bunch of wacky fundraisers at a fun day.

The sweet and not-so-sticky stuff was poured by the bucketload over the heads of up to a...

Date published: 15/02/2012

Consultation was a ‘sham’

Sykes seeks leisure review probe
A FULL examination of the leisure review consultation has been called for by local Lib-Dem leader Howard Sykes.

The Shaw councillor has formally asked Oldham Council’s chairman of overview and scrutiny to carry out an investigation into the consultation and decision to relocate Crompton Pool to Royton.

He says objectors’...

Date published: 14/02/2012

Child-sex abuse pensioner jailed

GUILTY: James Fairclough was jailed for seven years

AN 81-year-old Royton man who sexually abused a child repeatedly when she was aged between five and eight has been jailed for seven years.

James Fairclough’s offences had done...

Date published: 10/02/2012

No way did I touch girl — OAP

A PENSIONER from Oldham accused of sexually abusing a young girl over a four-year period told a jury he could not understand why she had made the allegation.

Asked if he had ever touched the girl sexually in any way James Fairclough (81) told the Gloucester crown court jury “Never, never, no!”

Fairclough, of Harewood Drive, Royton, is alleged to have...

Date published: 09/02/2012

Police inquiry desks to close

PUBLIC-INQUIRY desks at Failsworth and Royton police stations will close next Monday.

The move is one of Greater Manchester Police Authority’s measures to save £134 million by 2015.

Only 12 people a day use the desks at the two neighbourhood police stations, compared to 153 daily visitors at Oldham and 28 at Chadderton — which will remain open with...

Date published: 08/02/2012

Child-sex trial of man, 81

AN 81-year-old man has gone on trial accused of a campaign of sexual abuse of a young girl who was aged between four and eight.

James Fairclough, of Harewood Drive, Royton, is alleged to have subjected the girl to sex assaults during visits to the Gloucestershire village of Beachley, near Chepstow, between 2005-2010.

Sarah Regan, prosecuting, told the jury at...

Date published: 07/02/2012

Ballroom blitzed

Members of two local dance schools have wiped the floor with the competition to become regional champions.

Competing in the International Dance Teachers Association cup at The Forum, Wythenshawe, the dancers, from Royton and Shaw, beat-off stiff competition to grab gold in the Latin and Ballroom heats.

Anna Hartley (12) a member of MADD! For Dance in Shaw beat 65 other...

Date published: 07/02/2012

Dog walker cleared of flashing

A dog walker was yesterday cleared of accusations that he exposed himself to a woman while standing outside her Royton home.

Stephen Hall (43) of Shaw Road, Royton, denied the alleged offence in Swinford Grove, on September 6, 2011. He told Oldham magistrates: “When I heard a woman shout that she was going to call the police, I looked around to see if I was doing anything...

Date published: 07/02/2012

Come dine with us!

Cocktail master Ben Brooks has been planning his menu for years

THE culinary skills of four local foodies will be on show to the nation tonight in a much-loved television series.

The brave cooks invited the cameras from Channel 4’s “Come Dine With...

Date published: 03/02/2012

Burst main road chaos

RUSH-hour traffic was brought to a crawl in Royton this morning as water flooded on to High Barn Road.

The road was shut off during the busy commute at around 8am due to a burst water main.

United Utilities were aware of the incident and had sent engineers to investigate and repair the burst.

Date published: 02/02/2012

Pet rescue

RSPCA Oldham branch manager Mandy Tierney, with animal welfare officer Donna Holt, holding a rescued chicken and dove from the fire which took hold of Booth’s Garden and Pet Centre in Royton last Friday evening

Children have been showing their heartfelt support to animals rescued in a blaze which has reduced a garden and pet centre to rubble.

Youngsters from Royton Hall Primary School wrote...

Date published: 02/02/2012

Leisure review ‘full of holes’

THE Labour party has been blasted in ldham Council for a leisure review the opposition claims is “full of holes.”

Lib-Dem leader Councillor Howard Sykes argued he suggested three valid sites in Shaw for the proposed new facilities — but insists they were never considered.

He told council leader Jim McMahon: “Only one site was considered in Shaw,...

Date published: 02/02/2012

Centenary celebration for wartime classic

UNVEILING: Councillor Bernard Judge and Councillor Eileen Shorrock of Stalybridge District Assembly.

AN Oldham councillor celebrated the centenary of a favourite wartime song written by one of his ancestors.

Bernard Judge was a VIP guest for a ceremony yesterday at the Stalybridge...

Date published: 01/02/2012

Downton star gets down to baking

Lesley Nicol (left) baking biscuits at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, with appeals coordinator Lisa Pearson, cook Pauline Casey, volunteer Iris Last and cook Gail Robertshaw

“DOWNTON Abbey” star Lesley Nicol dished up a treat in Dr Kershaw’s Hospice’s kitchen.

The actress, who plays cook Mrs Patmore in the Golden Globe-winning hit television drama became...

Date published: 01/02/2012

Bearded Bootsie loses his locks

Stephen Booth: after!

LOCAL character Stephen Booth, or Bootsie as he’s known to most, was almost unrecognisable after shedding his bushy beard and flowing locks he’s been cultivating for five years....

Date published: 01/02/2012

Actress cooking up a treat for hospice

QUIZ test: Lesley Nicol, who plays cook Mrs Patmore in “Downton Abbey”, will be hoping to win thousands of pounds for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice on “All-Star Family Fortunes”

New Dr Kershaw’s patron on TV quiz
A DOWNTON Abbey star is helping to bring fortune on Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Lesley Nicol — who plays cook Mrs Patmore in the hit...

Date published: 31/01/2012

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