Easter Holidays Picture Special
Date published: 15 April 2009
Pictures by DARREN ROBINSON, CHRIS SUNDERLAND and ANTHONY MILLER
Safe and secure cycling
VISITORS to Chadderton Hall Park got an extra helping of crime prevention advice during the Easter break when a mobile police station was set up in the park, manned by officers from the Chadderton neighbourhood policing team.
It was an opportunity for residents to get to know their local officers and raise any concerns they have about crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
Representatives from Try-Cycles, a scheme promoting cycling in the borough, were on hand to give free lessons on cycling techniques and safety. The event was part of Cycle Skills, a joint initiative between the police and Oldham Parks and Countryside Service.
Police and representatives from Try-Cycles and Oldham Parks and Countryside Service also went on a walkabout around the park to unveil plans for a BMX/mountain bike trail.
It would be funded from a £1.1 million National Lottery grant to improve play areas across Oldham.
Family fun at church
YOUNGSTERS from the congregation at Holy Trinity Church, Coldhurst, wore their Easter bonnets for a special service on Sunday.
The children were treated to a fun day after the service, where they played traditional games and took part in an Easter bonnet parade before tucking into tasty snacks.
The Rev Nick Smeeton said: “It was a family celebration, a nice chance to celebrate Easter together, and it was a lovely day.”
Searching for sporting talent
SHE shoots, she scores . . . talented youngsters put their Easter holidays to good use at a sports camp.
Failsworth and Counthill Schools Sport Partnerships teamed up with Oldham Sports Development to set up talent camps for the borough’s most gifted sports stars.
A netball session at Radclyffe School kicked off the programme, which includes badminton, cricket, basketball and trampolining over the two-week holiday.
Vicky Dean, partnership development manager with Failsworth School Sports Partnership, said: “These camps work with our most talented or potentially talented in these sports. Depending on the success we will look to develop and introduce more sports. Judging by the response to many of the sports we have a lot of sporting talent that can be developed and who knows, we may just have a hidden Olympic athlete.”
Beer walkers raise £1,500
FANCY-DRESS fun on Easter Sunday helped raise around £1,500 for a children’s charity.
Friends of Ian Butterworth, who died in September aged 52, held a beer walk in his memory and to raise funds for his favourite charity, When You Wish Upon a Star, which makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Starting from The Sportsman’s Arms, Broadway, friends and followers visited 15 Chadderton pubs during the day.
A total of £750 was raised by donations in charity buckets and another £750 was raised through the £5 entry charge and game of Play Your Cards Right.
Known as Ejo, Mr Butterworth owned I&J Transport and provided school transport for disabled children.
Jackie Hey, one of the organisers, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day. Everyone enjoyed it and we were surprised by how many people came to join us. It was a fitting tribute to Ejo.”
The fundraising continues at a family fun day to be held on May 24 at The Sportsman’s Arms, from 2pm.
A friendly day out
EASTER bonnet making, face painting and wall climbing were some of the exciting activities that kept children occupied this Easter.
The Friends of Stoneleigh Park held an Easter Eggstravaganza at the Derker park, with more than 400 people making the most of the fun-packed day.
Families joined in activities such as Easter bonnet making, an Easter egg hunt, Go Karts, scaling a climbing wall and face painting.
There were also stalls from community groups and the Derker Wardens, police and First Choice Homes Oldham.
Angela Cosgrove, a resident and Friends of Stoneleigh Park member, said: “We were all so pleased to see so many people in the park, enjoying themselves throughout the afternoon.”
Soccer school
FUTURE football stars honed their skills at an Easter soccer school held at Royton and Crompton School. Activities run by Oldham Athletic and Oldham Community Leisure also include street cheer, goalkeeping coaching and teen gym. Visit www.oldhamathleticct.org or call 0161-678 8464 to find out more.
