Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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Remembrance Day
Services will take place across the borough on Sunday 13 November 2022, to remember those who lost their lives in two world wars and more than 70 other conflicts.

The services will involve branches of the Royal British Legion, residents, uniformed services and representatives of all organisations.

Remembrance Day services – full details ([link removed])

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Robin finds his festive – Our Christmas animation

There’s no place like Oldham at Christmas, and we’re kicking off the season in style with our new animation ‘Robin finds his festive’. Delph-based animators Periscope Studios were once again enlisted to create the short film.

The story tells the heart-warming tale of the Oldham Owl and the Christmas Robin.

Robin feels down and sad, his feathers and chest are grey, but after turning to his old friend for comfort they explore Oldham together, taking in the Christmas sights.

With every stop the Robin becomes more colourful and we see the wonder of Oldham through the eyes of two old friends.

As Christmas approaches, we hope that you will also find your festive in Oldham, by visiting one of our many events and shopping locally where possible.

Full details of the events can be found on Christmas in Oldham webpage ([link removed])

We Can Help handbook
A new Cost of Living handbook outlining all the essential contact numbers for residents has been distributed across Oldham.

The We Can Help handbook is a directory of information, including numbers for the Council’s Helpline, Welfare Rights, and Citizens Advice. There is also information about the Warm Banks that have opened across the borough and the Warm Homes scheme if you are struggling amid rising energy bills. Crisis support, help to maximise your income and practical help are also covered.

Additional copies of the handbook will be available in libraries and Access Oldham, and other public-facing spaces across the borough.

If you would like a digital copy of the handbook, then it is also available on the Council’s website: We Can Help handbook ([link removed])
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Get up to £15,000 to support your food project in Oldham

Applications closing soon for the new Food Security Challenge Prize in Oldham offering more than £50,000 in start-up and scale-up grants.

We're inviting Oldham residents to design a new enterprise or service to reduce food poverty in the borough.

Grants of between £2,500 and £15,000 are available, and ideas that focus on long-term change, social impact, or increasing employment in the local food sector are invited to apply.

As a growing cost of living crisis bites further into budgets, demand for emergency support like food banks can only rise. Stretched already by declining donations and a volunteer shortage, the last resort for far too many is on the edge of breaking point.

This initiative is also offering to mentor new or growing food enterprises that are developing the most effective responses to local food poverty.

Is there a glimmer of possibility amid the challenges? How might communities make a start on building a food system that better serves local people?

People in Oldham are invited to apply for start-up or scale-up grants. Applications close on 29 November 2022.

To find out more about the fund and to apply, please visit the F ([link removed]) ood Security Challenge ([link removed]) webpage ([link removed])
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Come on England, a new exhibition launched ⚽️

To get everyone up for the cup, Gallery Oldham is launching a new exhibition to celebrate the life and achievements of the first manager of the England men’s football team – Oldham’s very own Sir Walter Winterbottom.

Born in Werneth, he was just 34 when he was appointed as the first national team manager. He took the team to four World Cups ― Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, and Chile, laying the foundations for England’s victory in 1966.

Sir Walter remains England’s first, youngest, and longest-serving manager. He was knighted for his services to sport in 1978.

The exhibition, which opens on November 15, brings together a collection of memorabilia and images from the family archive.

It includes personal items such as Walter's congratulatory telegram from Royton Amateurs FC after he first played for Manchester United.

‘Sir Walter Winterbottom: The Father of Modern English Football’ will be displayed in the Gallery Oldham foyer until 17 December. For more information visit the Gallery Oldham webpage ([link removed])
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Had your booster yet?
Autumn Covid-19 boosters continue to be made available for residents over the age of 50 as part of a nationwide effort to top up people’s protection against the virus.

Pregnant women, frontline health and social workers, carers and those at ‘high risk’ are also eligible for the booster.

As the latest infection figures in the UK continue to rise, it’s important we continue to get the protection we need against the virus in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

For more information on how you can book your vaccine,
please visit our dedicated Coronavirus webpage ([link removed])
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Sprucing up the borough as part of Don’t Trash Oldham

This month our Environmental teams have started work in St James and Waterhead as part of a new ‘betterment’ programme of activity - supporting communities to look after their neighbourhoods.

So far, our staff have been busy planting Spring flowering bulbs, removing grass that has grown over footpaths, getting rid of algae from seating and street signs, plus they’ve rejuvenating shrub beds.
Over the coming year, we’ll be carrying out a rolling programme across the borough.

Working with local ward councillors we’ll be prioritising work that is important to you, such as grass cutting and hedge trimming; fence/railing painting; and gully cleaning.

We’ll look at other requests - if money is available – for improvements, including playground markings in alleys and the planting of greenery and wildflower meadows.

All this work is on top of the day-to-day duties, such as litter picking and emptying street bins, which our teams deliver all year round.

Alongside this improvement work, our enforcement staff will continue to target those who are dumping waste and blighting our communities.

We will carry on handing out fines – fixed penalty notices – and prosecuting those who dump waste and leave others to clean it up.

For more information on Don’t Trash Oldham – and to report environmental crimes – visit our webpage ([link removed] )

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Donate to Oldham Foodbank

As times get even harder for many households across the borough, thousands are turning to Oldham Foodbank for basic food supplies.

With demand outweighing supply, donations are needed now more than ever before, so all donations are welcome.

Oldham Foodbank is particularly in need of;

* Mince pies (non-alcoholic)
* Christmas crackers
* Pringles/ crisps
* Crackers for cheese
* Chutneys
* Non-alcoholic Christmas cake
* Christmas chocolates
* Stuffing
* Cranberry sauce
* Gravy Condiments

You can donate at local supermarkets or by dropping your donations off in person to their Unit B base on the Prince of Wales House Industrial Estate off Vulcan Street in Derker.

You can find more information about donation points across Oldham here ([link removed])

Do you look after a child with special educational needs and disabilities?

The Oldham Short Breaks Team is hosting a coffee morning on the 17 November 11am – 2pm which is open to any family with children who have additional needs.

The event will take place at Kaly’s playland Unit 5 Havelock St, Oldham OL8 1JR ([link removed])

Come along for a coffee and a chat while the children have the chance to take part in lots of fun activities.

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Connect with us on Social Media
Oldham Council is on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , Instagram, ([link removed]) TikTok ([link removed]) and LinkedIn ([link removed]) . Join our followers and get the latest news, events, alerts from across the borough, business, regeneration, employment opportunities and much more.

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