Henry dives in to city centre parade

PROUD: Olympic hero Henry Taylor “swims” past Manchester Town Hall. The gold medallist was the focus of Oldham’s contribution to the Manchester Day parade

HOLLINWOOD hero Henry Taylor was the focus of Oldham’s contribution to the Manchester Day Parade.

More than 100 people represented the town in the annual city centre parade, for which this year’s theme was “Game On” — a celebration of sports, play and games from the past and present.

Henry Taylor remains the only British Olympian to earn three gold medals in the pool at one games — the 1908 competition in London.

The parade featured swimmers from Chadderton Swimming Club — where Henry trained, swam and worked as a lifeguard — to mark its 120th anniversary.

Young people from Infinity Dance, Oldham Theatre Workshop and Young Oldham Dance Company also performed a specially choreographed routine and a giant structure of Henry “swimming”, created by artists Mike Green and Gordon Banks, accompanied performers.

Manchester Day Parade started in 2010 to celebrate the creativity and diversity of the people and places of Greater Manchester.



twitter: @DawnMarsdenOC