History brought to life by chapel guides

Some of the proud volunteers, the chapel guides.

VOLUNTEERS who bring the past to life at George Street Chapel have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award.

The 15 Age UK helpers act as story-tellers and guides at the chapel. They re-enact historical roles and give in-character guided tours to visitors.

Age UK Oldham bought the 200-year-old Grade II-listed building in 2003 with a view to restoring it.

The project was kick-started by an initial Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £51,800 for planning work. That was followed by a further boost of £948,200 for the building work.

The building is one of the world’s oldest Methodist chapels and the oldest independent Methodist chapel in Oldham.

It is now a living heritage centre, acting as a resource facility for older people, schools and youth groups, interest organisations, guests and visitors.

Chadderton resident Joyce Ryder nominated the staff and volunteers after attending one of the tours.

She said: “From going in to coming out, it was a wonderful experience. If anybody deserves to be nominated it’s them, because of all the work and the enthusiasm of the staff. It was an inspiring day.”

Maggie Hurley, voluntary and community manager at Age UK, said: “It all goes back to 2003 when we bought the building. We have a shop across the road and we were constantly looking at the building falling into disrepair.

“We had older people coming into the shop saying, I was baptised in that church, or my great grandad was a preacher there.

“Real life history exuded from this building.”

Maggie said the heritage tours have brought in people from outside the town and she believes they will continue to do so.

She added: “It will put Oldham on the map. I’m very proud of what the volunteers have achieved.

“They really have brought history back to life — It’s brought Oldham to life.”