Little voices speak loud and proud

CONGRATULATIONS...John Cleary (who helped organise the first festival) presents Harrison Curtis and Emily Higham from Hodge Clough Primary with the John Cleary Trophy. They performed Roald Dahl’s “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Witches Spell” from Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

YOUNG Oldhamers received their prizes from Oldham’s 30th Choral Speaking Festival yesterday.

Awards were handed out across six categories at a special ceremony at Oldham Coliseum.

Springhead Infant and Nursery School won the Infant Trophy, Hodge Clough Primary scooped the John Cleary Trophy, St Hugh’s CE Primary took the Lower Junior Trophy, Bare Trees Primary won the Upper Junior Trophy, Christ Church CE Primary, Chadderton, won the Audrey Carter Trophy and Beever Primary won the Madeleine Lindley Trophy.

Special commendation awards went to Freehold Community School, Christ Church CE Primary, Chadderton, Mayfield Primary and Higher Failsworth Primary.

The festival was started by Oldham Metro Rotary Club in 1985 with support from teachers and the council’s education department.

Adjudicator Marie Dixon said: “This outstanding festival is a great tribute to the dedication and organisation of the teachers involved. The children’s joy and excitement was infectious on the day and their good manners and teamwork exemplary.”