Award for funeral firm

WINNER . . . Sarah Barlow (centre) accepts the award from Golden Charter national sales manager Richard Auchincloss and Golden Charter regional sales manager Helen Byrne

Dedication and outstanding service praised

A FAMILY firm that has given a comforting service to generations of grieving Oldhamers has won a top award.

Funeral directors G Barlow & Sons Ltd, of Union Street West, Oldham, has been named Golden Charter Funeral Planner of the Year for North England.

Golden Charter, Britain’s leading independent funeral plan provider, praised the firm for its dedication and commitment in providing an outstanding service to the community.

The independent, family run funeral directors was formed in 1868 by George Barlow in Henshaw Street and is now run by David Barlow and daughter Sarah Barlow.

Sarah travelled to Sutton Scotney, near Winchester, to accept the silver salver and certificate from Golden Charter’s managing director Ronnie Wayte and national sales manager Richard Auchincloss at the award ceremony at the Norton Park Hotel.

The Woodland Trust has also dedicated a stand of trees in G Barlow & Sons Ltd name at Royd Wood, Meltham, West Yorkshire, in recognition of its achievement.

The firm beat more than 1,400 other funeral businesses to scoop the regional award.

Sarah said: “I am absolutely delighted. The award pays tribute to all the hard work put into the business by my family and the dedication and professionalism of the staff.”

Mr Wayte said: “This is the 16th year of the awards, and each year it becomes more difficult to choose a winner. Through these awards Golden Charter has been able to recognise personal excellence and professional commitment in one of the most difficult and challenging areas of serving the public.

“G Barlow & Sons and its staff have set the standard for this and following years, and we are delighted to recognise this achievement.”

Golden Charter has the largest pre-paid funeral planning network with more than 2,100 independent funeral homes across the country, accepting a comprehensive range of funeral plans that can be personalised to suit individual requirements.