Bring back our local dandyman

GATHERING momentum . . . the campaign for street cleaner Owen Arthurs

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A COMMUNITY is calling for Oldham Council to return their hard working and dedicated street cleaner to his original patch.

A petition to return "dandyman" Owen Arthurs to the Derker, Watersheddings and Moorside area has already gathered more than 370 signatures after spreading online.

Owen, who was a Pride in Oldham nominee last year for his dedicated attitude to his work, was recently moved to St Mary's and Higginshaw. But his original community are keen to see him return.

The online petition, started by Josh Howe, states: "Owen is a very kind and caring person and worked right through his dinner break to ensure he completed his daily tasks and had picked every piece of litter up off the streets. However, now the council have moved him, the areas he covered don't get touched."

It claims that the 50-year-old was moved from the location as he "spoke to too many people" and "wasn't doing his job properly" as a result.

However, dozens of people have come to his defence and urged the council to reconsider the decision.

Rhoda Smyth said: "Owen is an absolute treasure, our streets were clean and well maintained. He went out of his way to help you and is such a lovely guy. We need more people like Owen, bring him back."

Aarron Burgess added: "That bloke goes beyond what he should do. If all the council staff worked like him we would have the best place to live."

Lisa Lord said: "Owen has always gone above and beyond his job. He is a pleasant man who loves what he does and cares for the community. We had him years ago then lost him ­- and the estate went to pot. When he came back it improved again."

Pauline Cooper said: "Since Owen left Derker our street hasn't been swept ­- it's filthy and he is greatly missed in the community."

Dawn Igoe described him as " a real gentleman who did a fantastic job" while Elisha Brown urged the council to "value hard working, happy, polite staff like him."

Owen was unaware of the petition when contacted by the Chronicle and was surprised by the support it had gathered.

"Wow, 370 people signing is amazing, I'm over the moon." he said.

"It is really nice to know that I'm liked in the area and people want me to return.

"I just do my job, work hard and have a chat with people who I see.

"I report fly-tipping for them and other issues and try to keep it neat and tidy.

"I'd like to go back there as I know the people and get on with them."

Oldham Council said they were aware of the petition, however nothing had yet been presented to them.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "We're really pleased that residents are happy with the work Mr Arthurs has done in their community.

"We regularly move our workers to different areas and this was not due to the quality of his work.

"Although we are aware of the petition, nothing has been presented to us. If we receive the petition, we will follow the correct process and take any appropriate action."

To sign the petition visit www.change.org/p/josh-howe-bring-our-dandy-man-back.