Oldham Oxfam shop is 50 years old and still going strong

Pictured at the Oldham Oxfam shop are Lorna Fallon, Oxfam's Retail Director, Mary Pendlebury, a shop volunteer who received a certificate for 50 years' service to Oxfam, and Ghaidaa Ghazi, another shop volunteer

A very special guest paid a visit to the Oxfam charity shop in Oldham town centre.

To mark 50 years since the first Oldham Oxfam shop was opened on Manchester Street in the town, Oxfam’s Retail Director, Lorna Fallon, was on hand to mark its momentous anniversary.

It was in the summer of 1971 when a group of women opened the first Oxfam shop at the top of Manchester Street.

After moving three times over the years, the Oxfam shop is still going strong on Yorkshire Street, just below the iron railings.

An incredible 50-year anniversary would not have been possible without the generosity of the people of Oldham, who have always been quick to support appeals for those in need around the world.

Many will remember taking part, as a child, in the first Blue Peter Bring and Buy sale, and maybe the appeal for warm clothing for the Cold Front Appeal in 1993, which produced over 2,000 warm coats in less than a week for refugees in the middle of winter in the mountains of South East Europe.

Two of the longest-serving volunteers, Elizabeth Bailey and Mary Pendlebury, met Lorna, along with a young woman, Ghaidaa Ghazi, who joined the team in October last year.

Ghaidaa grew up in Gaza where her father was involved in Oxfam’s work in the area.

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