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Scheme celebrates silver anniversary – with help from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Scheme celebrates silver anniversary – with help from Jimmy
Scheme manager Stella Watson and resident William Royle with Jimmy Cricket. Photo by Ian Howarth.

Scheme manager Stella Watson and resident William Royle with Jimmy Cricket. Photo by Ian Howarth

Comedian Jimmy Cricket provided a welly-full of laughs for residents, staff and neighbours from Roeacre Court sheltered housing scheme in Heywood to celebrate 25 years since the project started.

The Irish comedian, who lives in Rochdale, was the star turn at the celebration attended by a host of special guests including Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Alan Godson, Jim Dobbin MP, councillors Peter Rush and Colin Lambert, plus Carol Matthews, Chief Executive of Guinness Northern Counties, the housing association which owns the scheme.

Champagne and chocolates were presented to 96-year-old William Royle, along with his favourite tipple, a bottle of Navy Rum, for being the longest serving resident of Roeacre Court. Mr Royle has lived at the scheme since it first opened. Scheme Manager Stella Watson has also been at Roeacre court for all of its 25 years.

A buffet and champagne toast were provided for guests on Saturday July 16, with music played by the Whitworth Brass Band. The entertainment continued into the evening with a belly dancer and a DJ before Jimmy Cricket took to the floor.

Carol Matthews said: “It’s tremendous to be at Roeacre Court to celebrate 25 years of an excellent scheme with a fantastic community. This is in no small part due to the care and attention the residents and scheme gets from Stella Watson, an inspirational colleague who has been with us and the scheme since opening day.

“I’m also delighted to have the honour of presenting a token to Mr Royle who is 96 years young and has also been with us for each and every one of those 25 years. This scheme has, and still is, a great asset to the community and I’m very proud to play a very small part in the day.”

The scheme is home to 36 residents with care services provided by Guinness Care and Support.

* See more pictures from this event in the photo gallery on this website

Invited to help the Street Angels 150 150 mhamer

Invited to help the Street Angels
Jimmy Cricket with Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Halifax-based charity Street Angels, and the Mayor of Calderdale at the Overgate Hospice's summer garden party

Jimmy Cricket with Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Halifax-based charity Street Angels, and the Mayor of Calderdale at the Overgate Hospice's summer garden party

Jimmy Cricket has had a nice invite to do some fund-raising shows for a Halifax-based charity which does some great work for those in need on the streets of the West Yorkshire town.

Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Street Angels, sent Jimmy an email after we met recently at the Overgate Hospice’s summer garden party.

He said: “Street Angels was founded by myself in November 2005 in Halifax and has since spread to around 100 towns and cities across the UK.

“We work mainly within the nighttime economy helping those who are or who may become vulnerable – including elderly people leaving the theatre, homeless, those who have had too much to drink, etc…

“As the success of Street Angels grew we developed the CNI Network which helps new towns to start up, offers help and resources, speaks at a national level to Government, Police, etc about the nighttime economy. We have also launched other ideas around community action, including Love Your Streets.

“It would be great if Jimmy would do some concerts for us as fundraising events! One event we started planning last week is a Garden Party in Bedford on Wednesday 26th October – mid to late afternoon with afternoon tea and keynote entertainment. Then maybe a similar event/evening in Halifax for our Northern supporters in November.”