Caring Rose is a blooming marvel

IN good hands . . . Pride nominee Rose Lever and youngsters at RASCA

A GRANDMOTHER who has lovingly looked after generations of children has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Rose Lever, from Royton, has seen countless youngsters grow up and blossom through the school clubs she runs before and after classes.

It was 35 years ago that she started her business in a terrace house in Park Street, Royton, to help out parents by looking after their children for a small fee while they went to work.

Twelve years ago, the Royton After-School Care Association (Rasca) became so popular that it moved to bigger premises at The Old Nursery, Radcliffe Street, Royton.

It has since expanded further with the Tweenies club, for children up to the age of six, held at Royton Hall School, BLAST held at Blackshaw Lane School and Young Rascals, for children aged two to four, also held at Radcliffe Street.

Rose said: “I’m very pleased that someone thinks we are a worthwhile place to nominate.

“We started off when a woman called Kate Gleeson had a little boy and wanted to to go back to work.

“She heard about out-of-schools in London and she put the idea in everyone’s mind. She managed to acquire a house for us to start and it developed from there.

“We stayed in the terrace house for many years but with the new Ofsted inspections developing we had to get bigger premises and managed to acquire the old nursery with more rooms. It’s something that was a need at the time and I got involved and it makes you get involved in other things to do with children.

“I enjoy it — it’s part of you. A lot of the staff have been here for a long time and we all get on and enjoy it. It’s a continued presence for the children, knowing who is here, because we are not changing the staff.”

She said of her young charges: “You see them grow up and get married and think, ‘My God, time has flown’.”

Joanne Shirley, who made the nomination, said: “Rose is wonderful. I was one of the children who attended and now my children go to Rasca all these years later and Rose is still there working on a daily basis.

“I feel that Rose should be nominated for this award and deserves it due to always being committed to the children, always being fair and always being lots of fun.

“She is a warm, loving person who always has the time for children and parents no matter what their background. She has the ability to make people feel comfortable as soon as they meet her.

“Rose has helped to organise Royton Carnival for many years, making it a fantastic day for families in Royton.

“Rose has always put others first and never asks for anything in return.

“I’m sure that anyone who has attended Rasca over the years would have fantastic stories to tell of the memories that Rose has created.

“To this day Rose is still at Rasca on a daily basis helping out and is loved very much by all who have met her. I believe all her hard work should be recognised as she really is a pride of Oldham.”

If you would like to nominate someone, fill in and return the form (left).