Proud moment for new youth mayor

HANDOVER: Josh and Chantel

ROYTON teenager Josh Payne couldn’t hide his delight at becoming Oldham’s brand new youth mayor.

The 18-year-old took over the role from Chantel Birtwistle at an emotional ceremony at the civic centre.

Josh, who is in his final year of A-levels at Blue Coat School, has been an active member of Oldham Youth Council for the past four years.

He was an ambassador for the award-winning Every Life Matters campaign and represented Oldham in a UK Youth Parliament debate at the House of Commons.

Josh is also a member of Youthforia, a North-West regional youth forum, and a peer leader on Fusion, an Integrated Youth Service project designed to boost community cohesion.

In his year of office, Josh will represent the borough’s youth and attend civic events alongside the Oldham Mayor, Councillor Olwen Chadderton.

He said: “The event went really well and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in now.”

Paying tribute to outgoing Youth Mayor Chantel Birtwistle on Twitter, council leader Jim McMahon said: “Chantel did Oldham proud and herself proud during a great Youth Mayoral year. Well done for a great year as Youth Mayor.”