The Halfway House pub in Royton has been named Pub of the Week after transforming from a struggling establishment to an award-winning community hub. Landlord Vinnie Caira took over seven years ago and completely refurbished the pub, with his daughter Vikki joining eight months later as restaurant manager. The pub now employs up to 12 staff during daytime hours and has won awards including JW Lees Pub of the Year in 2022 and Charity Champion in 2025. Head chef Connor Thwaite leads the kitchen specialising in pub classics and weekend specials. The pub raises over £10,000 annually for Dr Kershaw's hospice and hosts weekly Friends to You meetings for lonely residents.
Kerry Keenan, a mother of two from Oldham, left her call centre job 12 years ago to become a childminder after struggling to balance work with family life. She established Kerry Keenan Childminding Service and now works alongside friend Michelle Dixon, caring for children aged four months to 11 years. The pair provide wraparound care and have built strong relationships with local families. As part of Oldham Council's 'Do Something Big' campaign, Kerry is encouraging others to consider early years careers, highlighting the job satisfaction and community impact of working with young children.
Hafsa Batan from Oldham has been named First Choice Homes' February Hidden Hero for her work supporting young people through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by the Yuvanis Foundation in Chadderton. Mrs Batan, who has volunteered with the foundation for two years, was nominated by chief executive Zakir Ahmad for her outstanding contribution as a trusted role model. She recently supported a residential trip to Castleshaw for young girls and received the award from FCHO project officer Ghazalla Iqbal along with a £50 shopping voucher. The HAF programme provides free food and activities for children receiving benefits-related free school meals during school holidays.
Hafsa Batan from Oldham has been named First Choice Homes' February Hidden Hero for her volunteer work supporting young people through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by the Yuvanis Foundation in Chadderton. Nominated by Yuvanis Foundation chief executive Zakir Ahmad, Mrs Batan has volunteered for two years and recently supported a residential trip to Castleshaw for young girls. She received the award from FCHO project and partnerships officer Ghazalla Iqbal along with a £50 shopping voucher. The HAF programme provides free food and activities for children receiving benefits-related free school meals during school holidays.
Hafsa Batan from Oldham has been named First Choice Homes' February Hidden Hero for her work supporting young people during school holidays through the Chadderton-based Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by the Yuvanis Foundation. Mrs Batan, who has volunteered with the foundation for two years, was nominated by chief executive Zakir Ahmad for her 'outstanding contribution' as a trusted role model. She recently supported a residential trip to Castleshaw for young girls and received the award from FCHO project officer Ghazalla Iqbal along with a £50 shopping voucher. The HAF programme provides free food and activities for children receiving benefits-related free school meals during holidays.
The Marlborough Centre in Glodwick, formerly the Pakistani Community Centre, has reopened after significant refurbishment by Oldham Council. The building had closed due to health and safety concerns from disrepair. NxtGen Boxing, founded by Asam Fiaz and Ryan Lawson, was selected through a competitive process to operate the centre as a boxing club and community hub. The organisation outgrew its previous location at Honeywell Centre due to growing membership. Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, praising the regeneration effort and NxtGen Boxing's work with young people in Oldham.
Oldham Council is bringing extra festive cheer to the town centre this winter with Festive Saturdays, a series of free family events running across four weekends from late November to mid December. The annual Christmas Lights Switch-On Show will return on Saturday 15 November, transforming Oldham town centre into a festive wonderland. Tommyfield Market traders have requested to move into the new market, located in the revamped Spindles, in the new year. A much-loved Glodwick building is set for a new chapter as the refurbished Marlborough Centre officially reopens under the management of local boxing organisation, NxtGen Boxing. Councillors from Oldham Council joined young people, families and community members to celebrate 17 years of Outta Skool at its annual awards ceremony.
Residents from Birchwood Nursing Home in Oldham participated in the My Voice event at Wakefield Exchange, organised by social enterprise Turning Point. The event brought together service users, families, carers, and staff from across Turning Point's services. Muhammed, a Birchwood resident, highlighted the importance of wellbeing and collaboration. Interactive sessions explored community building, service improvement, and social contribution. Service Manager Lisa Endley praised residents for passionately sharing their experiences about mental health advocacy. The event also examined how social, economic, and cultural changes affect people supported by Turning Point services.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to create a mural honouring The Stone Roses bassist Mani in Failsworth, where he grew up. Mani, whose real name was Gary Mounfield, died in November 2025 aged 63 from respiratory issues. The campaign by GRIT Studios aims to raise £10,000, with over £7,000 already donated by nearly 200 people. The mural will be created by Pic.One.Art, known for the Gallagher brothers mural in Burnage. All profits will go to Maggie's Manchester, a charity close to Mani and his wife Imelda's hearts during her cancer treatment.
The Colliers Arms pub in Chadderton, Oldham, has been named Pub of the Week for its strong community spirit. Landlord Patrick Smith, 33, took over in June 2024 and faced his first major challenge when Storm Claudia in November 2024 brought down trees on the pub and beer garden shelter. The community rallied to help with cleanup, and the damaged pagolia was replaced. The pub, dating back to 1806 when it was called the Slack Inn, offers live sports, music on Fridays, karaoke on Saturdays, and Foster's and John Smith's as popular drinks. Patrick describes it as an 'old school pub' where customers feel they belong.
Shaw and Crompton Working Men's Club, known locally as Cartshaft, has raised prices due to rising costs including a £11,000 increase in beer and spirits, doubled business rates for three consecutive years, and significantly higher utility bills. Secretary Tommy Birch, who has worked there for nearly a decade, said the club hasn't made a profit in two years but remains committed to providing a 'safe space' for members. The club faces competition from larger hospitality brands but maintains a strong community feel with regular events like hoedowns and cheese and pickle days. It also hosts sports teams and the Shaw and Crompton Veterans group. The club charges £50 for function room hire (£40 for members) and seeks more local community support to continue operating.
Mossley SOUP's 20th event at Emmaus Mossley attracted over 180 residents who paid £5 each for soup, music and voting rights on local projects. The gathering raised a record £2,187, all awarded to Mossley Hollins High School's 'Wellbeing Room' project presented by student Thea Smith-Heeley. Three runners-up received £100 each from sponsor Premier Kia. Fifteen local businesses and residents donated ingredients, raffle prizes and cakes, while Mossley Town Council and Emmaus Mossley each contributed £250. The next themed SOUP is scheduled for 19 February 2026.
Oldham Council's Cllr Peter Dean is encouraging residents to rediscover their local libraries in 2026, designated as the National Year of Reading by The National Literacy Trust. Oldham has 12 libraries across the borough, including the central library in Oldham's Cultural Quarter and recently refurbished Northmoor Library in Coldhurst. The central library, which attracts 900,000 visitors annually, was highly commended in the British Book Awards and was a finalist in the North England regional award. Libraries are free to join and offer various services including physical books, digital borrowing through the Borrowbox app, and community groups like Knit and Natter. The National Year of Reading includes events such as author talks, World Book Night celebrations, and the Summer Reading Challenge.
Oldham Council has opened a new community growing hub at Berries Field Park in Chadderton, led by Councillor Abdul Jabbar MBE and delivered by Willmott Dixon. The £38,000 project includes a polytunnel, timber planters, and accessible pathways, funded through donations and 140 hours of volunteer work. The hub aims to give residents, especially women, safe spaces to grow food and herbs while building community links. Partners including Wright Landscapes, Faber Joinery, and Rose Scaffolding donated materials and time. The hub is now open to all and complements the existing park.
Oldham Council leaders joined Outta Skool's 17th anniversary celebration at its ninth annual awards ceremony. The event recognised young people from Taekwondo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Football, Kabaddi and Dance clubs for their sporting achievements, personal development, leadership and dedication. Adults who completed the 12-week Let's Get Active programme were also honoured. Council Leader Arooj Shah, Mohammed Nazrul Islam and Shaid Mushtaq presented awards and spoke with attendees. Murad Chowdhury, Outta Skool Director, praised participants' determination and commitment.