Mark and Jane on a magical visual tour

Date published: 05 December 2008


Pride in Oldham 2008

THE seventh Pride in Oldham paid homage to the town’s local heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty for Oldham.

Hosts Mark Llewellyn and Jane Hodson welcomed all after a giant screen had taken guests on a whirlwind magical visual tour from the skies, through the Chronicle offices into Oldham town centre and finally into the Queen Elizabeth Hall itself.

The show got under way with the first of the framed awards in 11 varied categories being presented by the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Shoab Akhtar.

Stories of unassuming achievement and of going the extra mile were there in abundance — each greeted with rapturous applause from the 200-plus invited audience.

The various awards were spread out between the courses of the gala luncheon, and other dignitaries — Latics manager John Sheridan, Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes and local MP David Heyes, were invited to present awards.

As well as the awards, in three of the categories — voluntary, schools and the group award — Oldham Metro Rotary Club presented cash prizes of £200 to the winners to further their projects.

Once all the awards had been presented technical wizards from the stage management team at Oldham firm New Image gave guests a reminder of the day’s events with a giant-screen picture show.

It was backed by the rousing sound of Heather Small’s “Proud” — the anthem that has become such a defining and fitting finale to a memorable day for all.

A day to be proud of.

Our sponsors said:


SUE STOTT

Area Manager,

Guinness Northern Counties Housing Association

“I think it’s fantastic. It’s absolutely brilliant that people are being rewarded in the borough of Oldham. There’s a lot of people that have done fantastic work that don’t necessarily get recognition like this.

“We’re inspired to get involved because of the quality of nominations. There’s some real tear-jerking stuff and some heart-rending things.

“In particular, ones involving children are really good and the voluntary sector, people who give up their own time for free.”


NICK DOUGLAS

Site Director,

Molnlycke Healthcare

“The majority of people that work for us are part of the community and we put something back in terms of the sponsorship. It’s a great event to be connected with.

“We invite extra people each year and it’s an opportunity for me to thank some of our employees who have gone that extra mile themselves.

“I think it’s fantastic. I think this year it’s the one for me that’s got that extra wow factor.”


EMMA CARTLIDGE

Marketing Manager,

JW Lees Brewery

“We have a lot of pubs in the Oldham area and as a major company in the area it’s lovely to be associated with something as valuable as this.

“Pubs are part of the community which is why we involve ourselves with an award ceremony that’s about the community.

“It’s fantastic. It’s a really grand occasion and you can tell it means a lot to the people that win the awards.”


JIM STOTT

Sales Manager

Warburtons

“I have been to every one and we keep achieving new heights every time. For first-timers it must be an inspiration and shows what people really achieve and what they sacrifice to achieve it.

“Warburtons really wants to be identified with the local community. At the end of the day we are much more a local business than a national one and we like to think we are putting something back in the local scene.

“One thing that always surprises me is that every year there are new people coming forward and getting nominated and it just seems inexhaustible how many people there are in Oldham doing such wonderful things.”


DEBBIE BRIDGE

Head,

University Centre Oldham

“It’s very important for the University Centre to be seen as part of the community in Oldham because all our students and staff have a commitment to the development of the borough.

“Being part of the awards is a way of recognising that and improving relationships. It’s a fantastic event, there’s such a variety of nominations.

“It’s fantastic to see the younger people going forward for the awards and being recognised for the work they do.”


DAVID BELLIS, 

Chairman,

Innovative Technology

“We have sponsored every Pride in Oldham and I think it’s a good thing.

“I think it’s the only opportunity the town gets to recognise and reward these people for what they do — a great idea.”