Round table cheering for youngest member

CLOCKING in . . . Tim Coulter, centre, with chairman Mike Coulter, right, Tim's father Michael and, left, Mike Procter, area vice chairman

WHEN the clock struck noon in a village pub it was good news for Timothy Coulter.

Because it meant he was old enough to have his first legal pint of ale ...

And, as the seconds ticked into his 18th birthday, he was to enter the record book as the youngest-ever member of Saddleworth Round Table.

Tim, from Grasscroft, is a student at Oldham Hulme Six Form and is planning to study geography at university.

His proud father Michael is the boss of Grasscroft Homes and is the club's past president and chairman.

Mr Coulter, father of three from Greenfield, said: "I'm delighted Tim has joined Round Table.

"I've been a member for 15 years - it's a great organisation and does so much to help support local community initiatives."

Tim said: "I'm really looking forward to being a full time member of the round table team and helping any way I can. They are a great bunch and I've been made to feel very welcome."

Henry Burbidge, Saddleworth Round Table's newly-elected chairman, said: "It's fantastic we have been able to induct the youngest member we have ever had.

"Tim has actually been helping Saddleworth Round Table for many years now through his Duke of Edinburgh awards and I am absolutely ecstatic now he has decided to join our club to continue his support.

"We all enjoyed a drink with him for his first (legal) pint and I know he will be a valuable member of our team."

He went on: "We are on a big push this year to increase the size of our team, with two more members ready to be inducted in the next month and hopefully more and more over the coming year.

"All are welcome to come along to one of our regular meetings on the first Thursday of each month."

Interested parties should contact the club's membership officer, Luke Summers, by calling 07718 136834.