Double award for Oldham grandparents

Bill and Janet Heap

An Oldham couple who have been working with local and international communities for over 30 years have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. 

Bill and Janet Heap from Royton have both been awarded MBEs for services to the community. 

“We had a letter from the Cabinet Office at the end of April.” Janet told the Chronicle.  “We were completely shocked by the news. We feel humbled and honoured to have been nominated. A lady from the Cabinet Office phoned us a few weeks ago telling us what happens next letting us know when the news will be officially released. 

“As Christians we have dedicated our lives to serve the Lord, that is our guide and driving force to serve the folks we do.” 

Bill and Janet married in May 1970.  Bill was a fireman, serving at the old Oldham Fire Station on Ashcroft Street and Janet worked at several secretarial jobs. 

In the early 90s, the couple set up Dovetales International Trust, following a trip to Andhra Pradesh in South East India.  On returning to Oldham, Bill and Janet began to raise funds for the people they met who were living in poverty. 

The couple, both now 72, set up a clinic in India which still runs today, serving a small community in Andhra Pradesh.   

Since then, they have supported two street children projects, and been instrumental in getting over 40 bore wells installed, giving clean safe water to thousands. The couple have also helped to establish village schools and adult literacy classes.  

More recently, they have developed a training centre for ladies to learn to sew - enabling them to earn an honest living with the sewing machines supplied by Bill and Janet.   

Bill drove wagons to Moldova and Romania in the 90s, taking thousands of pounds worth of donated aid. 

Back in the Oldham, the busy couple opened a warehouse selling second hand goods.  The profits paid for the humanitarian aid to be transported, and supplemented funding for the ongoing projects in India.  

In the 2000s, Bill and Janet bought a building on Maygate in Westwood which served as a church and community centre for several years. There, the couple established a parent/grandparent and child group, a drop-in cafe, craft and art groups, quarterly men’s meetings, weekly bible study and prayer meetings. 

Five years ago, the couple moved to their current building on Beal Lane in Shaw, where they hold a weekly Sunday service, a craft group, and house Royton and Crompton Over 60s Group. 

Bill and Janet are expected to receive their honours at Buckingham Palace in August. 

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