New youth mayor can’t wait to start

Liam Turner to become Oldham’s second Youth Mayor

‘I’ll show positive side of young’

A HOLLINS teenager is set to take over the chains of office as Oldham’s Youth Mayor next week.

Liam Turner will officially take the reins at a Youth Mayor-making ceremony next Wednesday in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre.

The 17-year-old, who is in the middle of taking his A-levels at Oldham Sixth-Form College, has been a member of Oldham Youth Council (OYC) for the past two years.

As well as carrying out volunteer work with Oldham Council Sports Development Service, Liam has helped to organise the YPXL event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall — a music and drama event showcasing the talents of the borough’s young people.

Liam will attend civic duties alongside the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor David Jones, and will also represent the borough’s youth at a variety of community events.

He takes over from Mohammed Adil, known as Eddy, who was the borough’s first Youth Mayor.

He said: “Eddy will be a hard act to follow as he has done so much and attended so many events, but I am looking forward to the next year. I’m going to try and bring my own personality to the role and show that young people in Oldham can play a positive role in the community and that we are not all anti-social yobs but talented and hard-working.

“I’ve already met the Mayor and Mayoress and they were really nice, I’m looking forward to working alongside them.”

Councillor Jones said: “Liam has earned his title as Youth Mayor and we know he will be an ambassador for young people across the borough.

“I know he will shine in this role and that his positive manner will help to highlight the enormous contribution that young people play across the many communities that exist in the borough.”