Spreading the Pride message

Chronicle Editor Dave Whaley, left, with some of the guest, from left, Laura Cullen, Pearson Hinchliffe Solicitors; Roman Choudhry, Chadderton Auto Repairs; Caroline Chorlton, Chorlton Planning Ltd; and Stephen Heywood, senior manager at Lloyds TSB Commercial

AROUND 100 people from all sectors of the Oldham business community enjoyed a networking evening at the Taj Palace, King Street, hosted by the Oldham Chronicle and sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial.

Chronicle Editor Dave Whaley spoke of his vision for the borough and the role the newspaper has to play, and also announced that Pride in Oldham, the newspaper’s flagship reader awards, was planning huge celebrations to mark 10 years of the project.

He spoke of the enduring affection from readers and sponsors for the community awards, which will move to a gala evening dinner at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in this anniversary year.

“People had tears in their eyes when they got to the stage this year — this is truly a magnificent celebration of all that is good about Oldham and we want to develop the awards even further,” he told his audience, drawn from all strands of professions, commerce and industry.

Appealing for new sponsors to help the Chronicle to achieve its dream of inviting all previous winners to this year’s event in December, he praised the current and past sponsors who have made the event so special.

Tony Spencer, from The Oldham College, spoke of the national programme to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days and how Oldham had to meet its obligations.

“The college can play its part, but it is employers who will reap the benefits of taking on apprentices,” he said.

Stephen Heywood, from sponsor Lloyds TSB Commercial, was complimentary about the turnout and thanked everyone for making the effort on a weather-ravaged evening, saying that the bank would continue to support Oldham businesses.