Royal honour joy for Keith

OVERWHELMED and humbled . . . Keith who has been awarded the MBE

A NEW Year honour has proved the perfect way to start 2011 for the creator of Oldham Street College.

Keith Lucas (53), of Huddersfield Road, Diggle, was awarded an MBE for services to young people.

The father-of-three admitted the past year has been a difficult one for him on a personal level as he has cared for his wife Joy who was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

He has also been working hard to secure funding for the Street College to enable it to move onwards and upwards.

But he believes the royal honour, one of four awarded to deserving Oldhamers, marks the start of a bright year ahead.

Mr Lucas said: “It’s amazing, I was overwhelmed with the nomination and humbled.

“This award is for the young people.

“Most have had a raw deal in life and they’ve managed to climb up to the top.

“This is a shared honour. I’ll have to put the news on Facebook so all the students know about it.”

Street College is based in Ashcroft Court, Peter Street, and aims to give young people the chance to learn real professional media skills.

Originally from London, Emmy-award winner Mr Lucas worked for Channel 4, Granada and the BBC, as well as editing documentaries for a young Donal McIntyre, the TV investigative reporter.

He gave up his successful career as a documentary maker in 2005 to devote his time to establishing the media hub in Oldham.

Mr Lucas said 2010 had brought him moments of “massive despair” but also the chance to reflect on the direction he was going in.

His hard work is now paying off with national organisations taking interest in the project.

He said: “It has been a struggle during 2010 but I knew I had to carrying on with the Street College.”