Dales star back on home turf

EMMERDALE’S newest recruit — Oldham actor Andy Walker — chatted about his experiences to local youngsters this week.

Andy, who plays Steve Kelly in the ITV1 soap, uses a wheelchair following a diving accident which left him paralysed from the neck down.

He is appearing in the Yorkshire drama alongside Marc Silcock, who plays disabled Jackson Walsh.

In five appearances, Andy is showing Jackson, who has similar injuries from a fictional car crash, that he has a life to live despite his disability.

Andy (33) agreed to talk to local young people at an event organised by Oldham LINk — a local involvement network for health and social issues, at the Union Street centre.

Andy discussed his life before and after his accident and how important it is to life to the full. Oldham LINk also gathered a wealth of information from the 16 to 25-year-olds, which will be used to inform health and social care providers about the needs of young people.





CORONATION Street actress Shobna Gulati helped mark a century of women at a special event held by members of Soroptimist International.



The former Hulme Grammar pupil, better known as Corrie’s Sunita, helped officially open the event at Gallery Oldham to celebrate 100 years of International Women’s Day today. The event — Caring and Sharing —featured a variety of voluntary and statutory groups exhibiting their services.

Soroptimists themselves donned costumes from yesteryear for the special day. Oldham Community Radio broadcast from the Gallery and a commemorative booklet containing information about all the exhibitors was available.

Music was provided by Oldham Music Centre and Oldham Community Choir, and guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Councillor David Jones and Jean Jones.