Concern over Olympics’ future

UNDER THREAT: The teams take their lap of honour during the opening ceremony at last year’s Saddleworth Olympics.

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ORGANISERS of the Saddleworth Village Olympics are warning the prestigious event is under threat.

Volunteers, including the chairman, vice chairman, secretary and two of the longest serving village committee members from Delph and Denshaw, are standing down.

The search is on for replacements, who must be found if the games are to carry on after this year’s event.

Alma McInnes, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, a staunch supporter of the games which are run over three weekends in September, said: “It will be absolutely disastrous if we do not find volunteers to replace the team who are standing down.

“The games will definitely go ahead this year, but there is a real danger they will fold if we cannot get support from parents and other interested parties to keep them going.

“It is a very big event for children and the community and it would be a great pity if the games could no longer take place.”

Games chairman Ben Hilton (49) has been involved with the games for two decades.

The games celebrate their 25th anniversary this year.

He said: “With the committee’s top-tier standing down, we face major problems.

“We want energetic young people, preferably with families, volunteering to get children into sport.

“Participation in organising the games is everything. We want people genuinely committed to the Saddleworth villages to be involved and bring in new ideas.

“The games themselves are great icebreakers for young children before they move to a bigger school. Many lasting friendships are made at the event.”

Deputy chair Paul Rice (46), who has five children and is also stepping down, said: “This year’s event will take place but the actual number of members retiring from the committee will create a big gap.

“It is absolutely vital we find people who are committed to Saddle-worth villages to take over.

“The games cover and wide spectrum of sports and we need new people with new ideas to pick up the baton and continue the games.

“With so many committee members leaving it would be tragic if new volunteers did not step in.”

More than 1,200 children, aged between seven and 17 years, from across all Saddleworth’s villages take part in the games which this year on the weekend of September 11 at Churchill playing fields, Greenfield.