Search is on for the Man of Oldham

THE search is on for a worthy man to take the Man of Oldham crown from this year’s title-holder, Chris Hamilton.

The Oldham Roughyeds chief executive scooped the coveted title for 2008 for his battle to keep the club alive and his tireless charity work.

The contest is now in its ninth year, and winners have been plucked from all walks of life.

Each has made a difference to the borough in his own way, from Barry Haslam, who fought a long and hard public campaign to get help for people struggling to break an addiction to prescribed drugs, to the former head of Grange School, Colin Bell, who steered the school to specialist are college status and 25th best in the country for pupil progress.

Other title-holders were the late local politician Sid Jacobs, Ged Tasker, the chairman of the Terence O’Grady Social Club; musical director John Collins, the late Chadwick Middleton, a former Far East prisoner of war; and former Oldham mayor, Councillor Riaz Ahmad.

Run by Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in conjunction with the Oldham Evening Chronicle, the contest celebrates the contribution made to the community by a special man.

Nominees must either live or work in the borough.

Three entries will be shortlisted by an independent panel of judges, and they will be invited to a ceremony at Smokies Park, Bardsley on October 15, with the people who nominated them, to find out who will be named Man of Oldham, 2009.

To make a nomination, fill in the form and return it to the address printed by October 8.THERE is still time to nominate a man who has made a difference for the prestigious Man of Oldham 2009 title.

The winner will be the ninth holder of the award, and will take the mantle from Oldham Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

He was honoured with the title last year for his battle to keep the club alive, and his tireless charity work.

The competition is run jointly by Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and the Oldham Chronicle to recognise a man who has made a contribution to the community in his own special way.

Past winners have come from all walks of life, from a schoolteacher and former Far East prisoner of war, to a musical director and the leader of a social club.

Nominees must either live or work in the borough.

Three entries will be shortlisted by an independent panel of judges, and invited to the finals at Smokies Park, Bardsley, on October 15.

To make a nomination, fill in and return the form to the address printed by October 8.