A weekly update on what's happening in Oldham and the latest Covid news and guidance

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Santa and his reindeer are coming back to Oldham tomorrow and we've got a day packed full of nostalgic yuletide fun for all the family to enjoy.

This year’s parade takes its inspiration from traditional and contemporary children’s Christmas stories and will bring to life some of the most loved classic Christmas characters from stories such as Raymond Briggs ‘The Snowman’ and 'The Dinosaur who pooped at Christmas'.

The parade starts at 1pm at Parliament Square before heading to High Street, Albion Street and Market Place and finishing back at Parliament Square at 1.30pm for a reindeer 'meet and greet'.

Don’t miss it!

Find out what else we have planned ([link removed])

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Covid cases in Oldham are increasing

The number of residents who have tested positive with the virus is now at a rate of 292 per 100,000, increasing from 258 per 100,000 last week.

Although our Covid rates remain the lowest in Greater Manchester and lower than the regional and national averages, we cannot afford to be complacent if we want to have a happy and healthy Christmas.

Last week, the Prime Minster said he would not rule out a Christmas lockdown and that ‘Plan B’ restrictions could happen if transmission rates increased as they have across Europe.

Plan A puts the weight of our Covid recovery on the vaccine programme, while Plan B would see the reintroduction of masks and social distancing. We are therefore urging anyone who has yet to be vaccinated to attend one of our walk in clinics or book an appointment via the National Booking System ([link removed])

Covid is still here. But we want everyone to enjoy themselves over the festive period, and avoid being unwell, isolating or risk spreading the virus to their loved ones.

Thank you to those of you who are playing a part in reducing the spread of Covid in Oldham. Please continue to follow the guidance and help us keep our rates low.
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Booster jabs for over 40’s and second jabs for 16-17 year olds

If you're aged over 40, you can now book your booster jab in Oldham and, anyone aged 16-17 can also now book their second jab.

Most people will be able to:
* Book an appointment at a vaccination centre or clinic online
* Go to a walk-in centre without needing an appointment

Booster jabs for over 40’s will be offered at least six months after a second dose but can be booked in advance after five.

Second dose's for those aged 16 and 17 is safe and effective 12 weeks after the first.

Getting vaccinated is important this winter to help keep Covid rates down and avoid the risk of restrictions being implemented. So, when you’re eligible, get your vaccine, get your booster and help protect the ones you love.
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Changes to testing sites

There have been some changes to the opening times of some of our testing centres. The new times are:

PCR sites
Monday – Sunday, 8am-6pm
* Higher Memorial Park, Failsworth, M35 9DE
* Honeywell Centre, Hadfield Street. Hathershaw, OL8 3BP
* Peel Street in Chadderton, OL9 9JX
* Southgate Street Car Park (next to Oldham Library), OL1 1DN

Monday – Sunday, 10am-3pm
* Kershaw Street East Car Park, Shaw, OL2 8AB

Asymptomatic sites
* Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre - Upper Level (next to the YMCA Charity Shop) – Monday – Saturday 9am to 4.30pm
* Tesco Extra, Huddersfield Road (ground floor entrance near Huddersfield Road) – Monday – Saturday 9am to 5pm
* Oldham Leisure Centre, Middleton Rd, Oldham OL9 6AF – Monday (9am to 5pm), Friday (9am to 5pm) and Saturday (8am to 4pm)

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Find out more about our exciting town centre plans

Our Big Oldham Conversation continues with another opportunity to see the plans for your new town centre and to give us your views.

The plans include the redevelopment of Spindles Town Square, a brand new town centre park, new theatre and much more.

Tomorrow (Saturday, 27 November), our team will be at Tommyfield Market (through the main entrance, opposite Oldham Community Radio) from 11am-3pm.

Feel free to pop along, ask questions and give us your feedback.

You can also get involved ([link removed]) online ([link removed])

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Support for the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Yesterday was the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women as well as White Ribbon Day.

Four women have been killed in Oldham in the past year alone. Around the world, one in three women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah and Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, showed the council’s commitment to tackling domestic violence across the borough by laying an orange wreath on the Annie Kenney statue - supporting this year’s theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect”.

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and need help, you can call the Refuge freephone 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000247. If you’re in immediate danger, please call 999 and ask for the police.

Find out more ([link removed])

[link removed]’t Trash Oldham is coming to Medlock Vale

On Wednesday, 1 December, our teams will be starting a clean up of Medlock Vale.

We've already successfully tidied up a number of wards across the borough as part of our clean up campaign.

Our extra investment of £1.27m means that we are able to tackle litter, fly-tipping and waste.

As well as cleaning up our community, we're also creating new jobs so we've got more staff out and about.

For more information about when we’ll be cleaning up your area, the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign - and how you can get involved in community litterpicks, visit our website ([link removed])

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Don’t get caught out by loan sharks this Christmas.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) has launched it's annual Christmas campaign – #AllIWantForChristmas – which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks and promote the support available to victims and their families.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from loan sharks this Christmas:
* If you need to borrow money, check the lender is reputable and what interest/fees they charge
* Be wary of people you don’t know sending you messages through social media
* Never send money, give credit card or online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust
* Be careful about what personal information you share on social media

Anyone with concerns about illegal money lending can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline in confidence on 0300 555 2222.

You can also find additional information and support on the Stop Loan Sharks ([link removed]) website and you can find out whether a money lender is authorised by checking the register on the FCA ([link removed]) website.

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Boost your immunity this winter

This year the flu vaccination is more vital than ever to help protect you and your loved ones.

Last year, colds and flu weren’t circulating as much due to COVID-19 restrictions. Health experts are warning us that this winter we could see high levels of flu together with rising cases of COVID-19.

Every year in England, the flu alone kills around 11,000 people and hospitalises thousands more. This year the flu vaccination programme has been extended to include more eligible groups to help you stay well this winter.

Every year there can be new flu virus strains and vaccines are developed to protect you against these strains. That’s why, if you’re eligible, you should have the flu vaccine.

People can get the flu jab at their GP surgery, a pharmacy offering the service or from a midwifery service if they are pregnant. Anyone can get the flu jab, but only eligible people are entitled to a free jab through the NHS.

Find out if you’re eligible for a free flu jab ([link removed])
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Funding for football

We’ve been awarded £447,995 by the National Lottery to fund an exciting new programme from Sport England. The programme will be delivered by the Football Foundation and will support communities in Oldham to get more active.

Active Through Football is providing us, together with Athletic Community Trust, Action Together, ForHousing and the West Oldham Trust - with this funding to increase participation in football.

The project will be targeted at people aged 16 and above, specifically those on low incomes, the unemployed, people from ethnically diverse communities, women and girls, and those whose mental wellbeing would benefit from their involvement in this type of project.

Find out more about this project ([link removed])
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Changes at Arkwright Street Recycling Centre

If you’re visiting Arkwright Street Recycling Centre to dispose of household waste using your own van, pick-up truck or a twin axle trailer you will need a permit from Wednesday, 1 December.

They are easy to apply for and free of charge and will allows up to 18 visits over the year to dispose of household waste.

Apply for a permit ([link removed])
Clamp down on illegal tobacco

Thanks to information supplied by residents, two shops have lost their licence to sell alcohol after illegal tobacco was found on the premises.

The council’s licensing panel revoked the licence for Sunny News and Off-Licence on Oxford Street after trading standards officers seized counterfeit and illicit tobacco from the premises on four separate occasions.

Despite warnings being given to Riaz Ahmed, the licence holder, and business owner Mr Mohammed Alam, trading standards continued to receive further complaints resulting in the seizure of illegal tobacco. Complaints also alleged that the premises were selling single cigarettes, and cigarettes to children.
After a licensing hearing, which heard from both sides, the panel decided to revoke the premises licence.

At the same hearing, a review application had been made by trading standards against Timisoara on Ashton Road after 22,557 illegal cigarettes were found. Before review hearing could take place, Timisoara voluntarily surrendered their alcohol licence and the shop’s owner applied for a new one.

The application was objected to by Trading standards due to the applicant’s involvement with illegal cigarettes - the shop withdrew their application before it went before the panel.

If you know where illegal tobacco is being sold, please report it anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online ([link removed])
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