The Spirit of Saddleworth Awards, launched by Saddleworth Parish Council, honoured 11 individuals and five community groups at the Civic Hall on March 19, 2026. Recipients included Carol Oldham for supporting independent businesses, Erica Ryan for 12 years with Scouts, Dr Eamon O'Daly for dementia support work, and Jennifer Greenwood for Lydgate community projects. Other honourees were Kye Steadman for youth projects, Katie Hodson as PTA head, William Smith for 20 years with Delph Allotment Society, Nicola Brown for recovery community work, Karen Jakeman for multiple Saddleworth initiatives, Tracy Buckley for securing £16,000 for Diggle School's Trim Trail, and Christopher Bannatyne for volunteer set building. Community groups recognised included Moorgate Campaign Group, Saddleworth Parish Council Chairman's Charity, Street Scene Greenfield, Dobcross Village Store, and Scouthead &...
First Choice Homes Oldham is supporting Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean with multiple community and school litter picks across the borough from March 13-29, 2026. Events include a March 21 litter pick on Barker Street in Coldhurst, a March 27 clean-up in Shaw targeting Salts Street and surrounding areas, and a March 25 event with St Hugh's Primary School and Oldham College in Holts Village. A litter picking tournament will take place in Werneth Park on March 20. FCHO is partnering with community groups, charities, and volunteers, offering small funding and practical support for neighbourhood improvement events.
Nicola, Safeguarding and Care Planning Team Manager at Oldham Council, introduced 'Welcome Into Our Care' packs after being moved by a child entering care with no belongings. She hand-packs personalised boxes every Thursday morning, containing age-appropriate items like books, toiletries, blankets, and information about support services. Since January, 50 children have received these packs, funded partly by donations from local businesses including The Works. Cllr Shaid Mushtaq praised the initiative for bringing comfort and dignity to children during traumatic transitions.
Local walkers in Oldham have shared their favourite countryside spots, with Daisy Nook Country Park emerging as a top recommendation. Les Peel, 73, has visited since childhood and enjoys wildlife photography there. Other popular locations include Park Bridge, Clayton Vale, and Sale Water Park. For longer walks, visitors recommend Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth and Etherow Country Park in Stockport. Some walkers also enjoy the reservoirs in Rochdale and occasionally travel to Sheffield. The community aspect of these walks is highlighted as a key attraction for many regular visitors.
Residents on Bamford Street in Royton have won £1,000 each in the People's Postcode Lottery daily prize draw on March 11, 2026. The postcode OL2 6YY was selected in the lottery's daily draw, which awards £1,000 to players in 20 chosen postcodes. The People's Postcode Lottery operates 20 individual lotteries for charities, with at least 30 per cent of ticket prices supporting charitable causes. The lottery has raised over £1.5 billion nationally for organisations and projects across the UK. Participants pay a £12.25 monthly subscription to take part in the draws.
Mayor of Oldham Councillor Eddie Moores visited The Salvation Army's Roundthorn Road centre to learn about its support services for vulnerable residents. He met service users, volunteers and staff while observing the food bank, employment guidance through Employment Plus, and the Lighthouse Project weekly drop-in offering hot meals, showers, laundry and crisis support. Captain Maisie Veacock said Oldham has many deprived areas where working people and low-income households struggle to make ends meet, with people in crisis or experiencing homelessness finding a safe space at the centre. The Salvation Army has served Oldham since 1882, providing support and outreach for over 140 years.
With Mother's Day right around the corner, the question of where is the best place to go in Oldham for a special treat to show your mum just how much she means to you is on many minds. There are plenty of options locally to cater to all tastes but we would argue the time-honoured tradition of an afternoon tea is hard to beat. In the borough, there are plenty of cafes offering the service, with finger sandwiches, home-baked sweet treats, and some even including a glass of bubbly. To make life a tiny bit easier, The Oldham Times has searched through menus, pictures and reviews and rounded up three of the best spots. Grains Bar Hotel, on Ripponden Road, is a firm favourite for afternoon tea. Th
Stand & Be Counted Theatre participated in the Illuminate Oldham parade, creating colourful masks in partnership with Oldham artist Mel Roberts. The project united SBC's Soap Box Oldham and Bradford groups for the first time after an invitation from Global Grooves. John Tomlinson, joint CEO of Stand & Be Counted Theatre, described the experience as phenomenal and a moment to shine light on solidarity, community, and pride in Oldham. The theatre company runs weekly Soap Box sessions for adults seeking sanctuary in Oldham, Bradford, and Sheffield, using theatre and creativity to build confidence, develop English skills, and foster connections. Illuminate Oldham was organised by Oldham Council.
Walkers in Daisy Nook Country Park report mixed experiences with dog ownership in Oldham. Barry Moran, 80, says occasional irresponsible owners let dogs bite others, while Tammy, 53, notes most owners clean up after pets. Clive Penson and Anne Stott, both 67, say owners are generally responsible, putting dogs on leads near horses. Clive Highton, 63, calls some actions 'anti-social behaviour' including letting dogs foul streets without cleaning up. Dog fouling has increased since bins were removed from the park two years ago, with some owners leaving bags on fences intending to collect them later.
Residents on Hob Mill Rise in Oldham's OL5 9DT postcode won £1,000 in the People's Postcode Lottery on March 6, 2026. The daily draw selects random postcodes, with players paying £12.25 monthly to enter. The cul-de-sac sits near Saddleworth Cricket, Bowling and Tennis Club on the Saddleworth-Mossley border. The lottery supports UK charities, with 30% of ticket prices going to good causes, and has raised over £1.5 billion nationally.
The Haggate pub in Royton has been taken over by Jamielee Conway and her daughter Shauna, along with Jamielee's husband Matthew, since October last year. The family-run pub has become a community hub offering themed nights including tapas, football, and family movie afternoons. They serve homemade pub classics like pies, burgers, and breakfasts, with Manchester Pale Ale as their best-selling beer. The pub hosts regular events such as Sunday bingo, quiz nights, and Grand National days. Despite industry challenges with rising costs, the team maintains affordable deals like Pie & Pint specials and keeps the traditional pub feel while adding new events.
Steve Hill MBE, deputy headteacher at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Shaw, Oldham, has been named among the UK's 100 most influential people for 2026. The recognition comes from the Top 100 Influential People 2026 list, which highlights individuals excelling in education, health, business, sport and other fields. Hill is known for extreme fundraising challenges including running five consecutive marathons in Mongolia and hiking volcanoes in Central America. His Team Hill Charitable Trust recently collected Easter Eggs for Oldham's Young Carers and funded a water well in Uganda. Upcoming challenges include hauling a pulk sled across Svalbard's frozen wilderness and running the Uganda Marathon for the eighth time.
The Welcome Inn pub on Hollins Road in Oldham has launched an Easter egg appeal to bring cheer to children at Royal Oldham Hospital's children's ward. The pub aims to collect Easter eggs for young patients and their families during the holiday period, as spending Easter in hospital can be incredibly tough. So far, 38 Easter eggs have been donated to the cause. The pub is encouraging community support and accepting donations between 11am and 11pm. More information is available on The Welcome Inn Oldham Facebook page.
Kerry Keenan switched from call centre work to childminding 12 years ago when her youngest daughter was born. She runs Kerry Keenan Childminding Service with friend Michelle Dixon, caring for children aged 4 months to 11 years. The service offers wraparound care before and after school. One child has been with Ms Keenan since four months old and is now starting high school. Councillor Shaid Mushtaq praised early years workers for changing children's lives.
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has partnered with Ultimate Products to distribute free household items to struggling customers. The donated goods, worth over £1,000, include cutlery, pans, clothes airers, crockery, brushes and dry mops from brands like Salter and Beldray. Ben Thomas, FCHO's head of community services, said the scheme helps customers afford essential items when moving into new homes. The first delivery was collected from Ultimate Products' Chadderton warehouse. Craig Holden, Ultimate Products' chief operating officer, said the company is committed to supporting the local community. The same day, Oldham Council and Mahdlo Youth Zone also received supplies.
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.