Walk of pride for UCO graduates

OLDHAM will hold its first ever cap and gown graduation procession tomorrow morning.

More than 160 University Campus Oldham (UCO) students will walk from the High Street to the Queen Elizabeth Hall for their degree ceremony.

They include a record number of students who have notched up first class awards.

Banker Chris Wilson will also follow in the footsteps of former “Coronation Street” actresses Sarah Lancashire and Shobna Gulati who have been honoured by the campus, part of Huddersfield University.

The national head of real estate and public-sector development for the Co-operative Bank will receive an honorary fellowship in recognition of his key role in UCO’s success.

Chris (52), who lives in Diggle, attended Chadderton Grammar School for Boys before joining NatWest bank in Chadderton.

Married with two children, Rachel (22) and Nick (24), he joined the Co-operative in 1987 and worked his way up the career ladder.

When UCO was established in 2005 he became independent chairman of the partnership board, forging strong links with the colleges and the council.

A former North Chadderton School governor, Chris is also involved with the Oldham Career Academy based at Oldham college

In his free time, he referees in the Rochdale and Oldham Youth League and was involved with Saddleworth team 3D Dynamos for many years.

His fund-raising activities include a parachute jump for Cancer Research, a 100km hike to raise money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust, and a 10km run for Mediquip4Kids.

People who have been recognised by UCO in the past also include artist Brian Clarke and former Oldham Council chief executive Andrew Kilburn.

Chris said: “I am very, very proud to receive such a prestigious award.

“I am delighted really for the borough, that we have got such good education provision.

“Bringing the university campus to Oldham was a great effort.

“It is rare to see such co-operation between the different bodies: the university, both colleges and the local authority. There was a real will to get this off the ground.”




Teenagers given confidence boost



TEENAGERS boosted their self-confidence on a course designed to prepare them for university life.



Youngsters from Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside took part in the Chances Self- Development programme at University Campus Oldham.

For 12 weeks, group members took part in a range of activities designed to improve their team-working skills and increase their self-belief.

The course was funded by Aimhigher, a national initiative which works to raise the aspirations of teenagers, encourage them to believe in their ability to succeed and build a career through further education.

Group members were invited to a graduation ceremony where they received certificates from Prof Tim Thornton, pro-vice chancellor of the University of Huddersfield.