Let the Games begin!

Photo: Tim Bradley

COLOURFUL start . . . balloons are launched as part of the opening ceremony.

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BALLOONS of all colours filled the sky over Saddleworth as the 30th village Olympics opened in style.

The opening ceremony, at Saddleworth School, saw youngsters from the seven competing teams — SAS (Springhead, Austerlands and Scouthead), LGFG (Lydgate, Grotton, Friezland and Grasscroft), Greenfield, Uppermill, Diggle, Dobcross and Delph & Denshaw — parade on the synthetic pitch to “Chariots of Fire” in front of proud parents.

Over the next two weeks, team members will compete in a series of events, including swimming, netball, badminton, athletics, cricket, rugby, tennis and football. The overall winner will be the team collecting most points from all events.

Former Saddleworth Parish Council chair David Needham, who devised the annual event in 1985, was guest of honour and was presented with a medal to thank him for his involvement over the last three decades.

The final Olympics event will take place on Sunday, September 20, at Saddleworth School.