Sport and Wellbeing
        SADDLEWORTH VILLAGE OLYMPICS
whole; was this year shared by Dobcross and LGFG.The winners (voted for by the umpires, organisers and volunteers of each event) do not know they have won until the night of their presentation evening. Co- Chairman Jon Mayor presented the trophy to the surprised LGFG team, and Scott Longley and Adrian Green (pictured) presented the trophy to the equally surprised Dobcross team the following evening.
“Spirit of the games” plates are also presented to one boy and one girl from each village who in the opinion of the coaches and team organisers most demonstrated the Olympics motto: “Playing by the rules, winning with pride, losing with grace and making friends along
the way, in the hope that, through sport, we will help strengthen our community spirit.” Pictured receiving their awards are Emily Hohmann & Ptolemy Gladwin from Dobcross.
The organising committee carried out a survey during this years event(s) which asked for feedback about how the games can develop in future.There were over 230 responses which was
 2018 REVIEW
The Saddleworth Village Olympics got off to a rather wet start on Saturday 8th September.A brief moment of respite in the weather allowed the traditional balloons to be released after the games were formally opened by guest of honour Richard Foster on behalf of the Saddleworth Round Table who sponsored this years competitor medals (see pictured).
Despite the (at times persistent) rain, organisers managed to get the athletics event started; readers may recall it had to be cancelled last year due to inclement weather.The junior event was won by Greenfifield and the senior honours went to Uppermill. These events were separated by the very fifirst tug-o-war event.The brand new trophies were presented by Bev Hilton (brolly in hand) to Delph & Denshaw (“D&D”) in 10/11 age group and Uppermill and LGFG who shared the 8/9 yr old award.The trophies have been named in honour of her late husband, Ben, who sadly passed away last year. Before the trophies were presented, co-chairman Adrian Green announced that;“[Ben’s] enthusiasm and encouragement was a major driving force in ensuring that the
games have continued for as long as they have”.
Poor weather was an unfortunate factor throughout the three weeks of competition and Adrian noted that he cannot remember a games quite as wet.This year hockey was introduced for the fifirst time with assistance from Oldham hockey club,
who provided umpires
and equipment on the
day.The event was well
attended and feedback
from parents and
competitors was
extremely positive.
The fifirst winners of
this award were
Lydgate, Grasscroft,
Friezland and Grotton
(“LGFG”) in the 10/11
age group and Diggle
in the 12/13 age group.
The overall winners award has this year been split between the juniors (7-11) and seniors (12-16) with D&D winning the Junior cup and Greenfifield the Senior cup.
The Frank Sykes Fair Play trophy; which is the only trophy that reflflects the behaviour, spirit and attitude demonstrated by the village as a
incredible and the organisers have expressed their thanks to everyone who took the time to complete it.The results will now be analysed with an aim to making the games even better in coming years.
When asked to sum up how he felt this years event had gone,Adrian Green noted “I won’t lie the wet weather hurt us. It’s not nice for organisers, spectators or competitors to hang around in the cold and wet weather but I was truly humbled and amazed by the manner in which they all rallied round the games.The children seemed to love it, the community spirit shone through and the games were once again well supported.We cannot guarantee the weather but it seems that this event remains in the heart of a great many people in Saddleworth and that makes all the hard work that the organising committee put in to continue this event all the more worthwhile.We will be back to do it all again next year but hopefully the rain won’t be!
 ”if you wish to get involved next year in whatever capacity please contact the organisers via svogames@gmail.com. they are particularly interested in hearing from local businesses / business people who may like to sponsor the event next year.
     RECYCLE BINS COME
TO BOWER
FOLD
Stalybridge Celtic Foundation are pleased to take delivery of two clothes recycling bins at Bower Fold, supporting one of our six adopted charities for the 2018/19 season, Reuben’s Retreat (Charity Number: 1150436).
Charity Bins at Bower Fold
3rd November 2018 for their designated Charity Day at Stalybridge Celtic FC where they have lots of activities planned!’
   The bins are easily accessible at the ground, one situated in between the Main Entrance and the Middle Gate, with the other right outside the Turnstiles near the Social Club.
They welcome donations of any unwanted children’s or adult clothes and shoes, all shapes and sizes, so if you are coming up to the Match, going to the
gym or just passing, you can drop them off anytime of the day and night.
Mike Smith, Community Development Offificer, ‘We are delighted to help and assist Reuben’s Retreat with this request and hope that our supporters and the general public, can donate any clothing they no longer require.We
also look forward to welcoming staff and volunteers from Reuben’s Retreat to Bower Fold on Saturday
For more information contact Reuben’s Retreat
- Website: www.reubensretreat.org Twitter:@ReubensRetreat: Telephone: 01457-680023 Email: enquiries@ reubensretreat.org #upthebridge
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