Delph Dads’ Army wins reader praise

PICTURED (back row, from the left): Joe McGladdery, Tony Buckley and Dave Broadbent. Front: Richard Longley, Dave Runacre and Bernard Preston. Not on the picture are volunteers Alan Cave and Paul Elkins.

A GROUP of volunteers nicknamed “Delph’s Dads’ Army” has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

The men, aged from their fifties to their seventies, help with a range of community tasks throughout the year. They erect hanging baskets of flowers in the summer and install Christmas lights in the winter, help to direct traffic during events and support the organisers of Delph’s Party in the Park.

The group includes Joe McGladdery, Tony Buckley, Dave Broadbent, Richard Longley, Dave Runacre, Bernard Preston, Alan Cave and Paul Elkins.

The group was nominated by a Chronicle reader in the village, who wrote: “The men work long hours and do some hard work. If it wasn’t for this merry bunch of men, Delph would not look as good as it does.”

Richard Longley (53), for the group said the pals were delighted to be nominated.

“We are really chuffed about this,” he said. “It’s nice to know our work is appreciated. The group started when we used to drink at Delph Liberal Club. We organised sports events and other activities, and our children nicknamed us the Delph Dads’ Army. We enjoy doing these things.”

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