Children’s group is facing closure

AN impassioned plea was made to save an organisation which helps to provide much-needed activities for children across the borough.

Oldham Play Action Group (OPAG) faces possible closure after it was told it won’t receive its £35,000 grant for next year from Oldham Council’s Priority Programme Funding.

PPF is slashing its handouts from £1.8 million to £880,000.

The council has said it will try to provide money for OPAG from other pots but it is facing an anxious wait along with other voluntary organisations.

OPAG works with community, voluntary and faith groups to set up and run activities such as junior youth clubs, playschemes, holiday activities, community celebrations and short-term projects. This includes the Good Neighbour Project which has been running at South Chadderton Methodist Church, Thompson Lane, for four years.

Church member Mike Kendrick said: “This will have a detrimental effect on the support we are able to provide, especially for disadvantaged young people.

“It has had a positive impact on the community. We want answers as to why the council has decided OPAG should suffer a loss of £35,000 which means it won’t be able to continue as an organisation and hence support young people.”

OPAG co-ordinator Step Gill added: “If we do not get the funding there is a likelihood of closure.”

The area committee promised to press for funding for both OPAG and OPAL, which works with adults across the borough and is among the other voluntary groups affected.




CCTV plan



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THE late children’s entertainer Terry Hall who shot to fame with his puppet Lenny the Lion will be honoured with a blue plaque. The committee agreed to give Chadderton Historical Society £400 to commemorate the life of Terry, who lived on Middleton Road.