Brighter days: Oldham’s plan to keep COVID rates low as the borough begins new chapter
Oldham's residents are looking at a much finer forecast following a stormy 2020. But the council's new leader has warned there's plenty more to do yet.
Oldham spent half of 2020 on the edge and the other half in the headlines.
Whilst the initial lockdown lift in July was supposed to offer some respite from all the doom and gloom, this little old mill town didn’t have much time to enjoy its return to action.
Shortly after a county-wide indoor mixing ban was enforced across Greater Manchester, Oldham was quickly battered by big a wave of COVID infections – leaving the region teetering on the brink of a local lockdown for what felt like an eternity.
Oldham’s leaders warned that shutting down the economy would be ‘catastrophic’. But residents knew it could realistically happen. 100 miles down the M1 in Leicester, people had spent summer being forced to watch on from their windows as the rest of the world largely returned to normal.
It appeared Oldham was next on the quarantine list, and the borough spent weeks on tenterhooks, often expecting the worst.
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Those days seem like a long time ago now.
Six months on, Oldham has a real spring in its step.
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During the same week that bars, restaurants and culture venues reopened their doors, the region was treated to an extra couple of pages of positive news that made for fine reading.
Not only did the council bag £10.7 million to rejuvenate Oldham town centre, but new stats showed COVID rates are in such steep decline that the borough now has the fewest infections in all of Greater Manchester.
Cases plummeted by 42% up to May 13 – putting Oldham’s numbers lower than the national average.
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The data is refreshingly positive for a region that was, mere months ago, clinging onto its freedoms by its fingernails.
It’s been the perfect platform for Oldham to start a new chapter under Arooj Shah – who was officially appointed as the region’s first ever Muslim female leader this week and is hoping to lead the borough to better days.
.@shah_arooj has been officially appointed as the new Leader of Oldham Council at the Annual Full Council Meeting. After she has given her first official speech as leader the deputy leaders, Cabinet posts and committee members will be appointed. pic.twitter.com/WTswWflDZ5
“I am so proud of how Oldhamers have responded to the pandemic,” Arooj said.
“We have pulled together, shown true community spirit, and have all worked extremely hard to bring our COVID figures down.
“However, even though our rates are now below the national average, we can’t become complacent.”
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Arooj and Oldham Council have urged residents to “take care” in the weeks ahead – encouraging people to familiarise themselves with the rules and stick to them. Current data suggests that most cases in Oldham are circling among young people, and there remains continued concern about the widespread presence of a particularly infectious COVID variant in the neighbouring borough of Bolton.
“As COVID restrictions are lifted, we can’t afford for cases to increase now that those most at risk are those who haven’t yet been vaccinated,” warned Arooj.
“That’s why we’re asking everyone to get tested regularly, take up the vaccine when it’s offered and remember the guidance – hands, face, space, fresh air.”
Well done to team Oldham for bringing this together. A much needed boost to reset the town centre
As part of a mission to keep infection rates down, the council is managing a dedicated COVID page online – containing all the latest rules and regulations.
The portal is designed to keep residents updated throughout – featuring weekly data that drills down into infection rates by ethnicity, age groups, and different wards within the Oldham borough.
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This ready access to comprehensive information is what the council is banking on to keep infections low: If Oldhamers understand the rules and the risks, the region has the best possible chance of making it through to the other side.
The council’s message moving ahead is simply “look after one another” – which ought to strike a chord.
After all, this is a borough that knows a thing or two about standing together.
Oldham Athletic’s hero owner Frank Rothwell showered with praise after promotion back to EFL
Danny Jones
It was a weekend Oldham Athletic fans will always remember as the Greater Manchester club officially climbed out of the National League and back into the EFL, and among the many heroes at Wembley this year, one was showered with more praise than most: Frank Rothwell.
The newly-annointed League Two club owner is the man responsible for saving Oldham from complete collapse just a couple of short years ago; a local businessman who gave them the crucial backing that kept them afloat and who, without whom, Sunday evening may never have happened.
Rothwell went viral before the game with his passionate speech ahead of the all-important playoff tie, but the scenes following the momentous victory for his hometown have proved even more wholesome.
You need only listen to what he had to say after the game to recognise how much it meant not only to him but everyone across the borough.
"It means a lot to the people of Oldham"❤️
Oldham owner Frank Rothwell was delighted to see his side achieve promotion to the EFL after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Southend 🔵pic.twitter.com/6Bksak4vOt
Credit must obviously go to the players, manager Micky Mellon – who helped steer them this far in what was his sixth promotion – and to Southend United also, who made it a truly thrilling contest and advert for non-league football, not to mention garnering a National League record crowd of 52,115 fans.
Nothing short of incredible support.
In fact, there could have been even more in the stands for both sides were it not for the ticketing and rail maintenance fiasco that meant thousands of fans were simply unable to make it to the match, with each club’s allocation being capped at 21,500 a piece.
As for those who didn’t tune in to watch the thrilling fixture: firstly, more fool you and, secondly, the extra time comeback by the Latics was nothing short of inspiring and you couldn’t help but pray for the camera to pan up to Frank jumping up and down in his seat.
From being handed a big crate of Budweiser by the players to enjoy his first beer since Christmas (again, never one to shy away from a challenge), to take a victory lap around the iconic pitch after the final whistle, it was just as much his day as it was theirs.
A lovely moment between manager Micky Mellon and owner Frank Rothwell after Oldham's National League playoff final win… 🥲 #oafcpic.twitter.com/2jjvh7aIb3
It may have been a calm first-half penalty from Joe Garner, an expertly taken equaliser by James Norwood, and Kian Harrat’s fortunately stray ball into the box that got them over the line, but none of them would even be there without Frank Rothwell.
Writing a lengthy post on social media, famed football journalist Henry Winter said: “There’s such a fighting spirit to Oldham Athletic. So close to going out of existence in 21/22. But great fans and good people like Frank Rothwell and Darren Royle refused to let their club die. They fought and survived.
“They were so close to losing the National League play-off, but they fought and recovered and won. Resilience on and off the pitch. You have to feel for Southend United, who’ve also been through the mill in recent years, winding-up threat, transfer embargo, points deduction, prolonged takeover.
“Fighting spirit kept them alive. Amazing tifo at Wembley said it all: never give up. Southend gave everything and contributed fully to an epic playoff.
The quality shown by both sides and the depth of support […] is another reminder of the legitimacy of the campaign to have #3UP from the National League.”
Basically, he’s done some truly heroic things both within and outside of football, and the 74-year-old’s same indefatigable attitude is the kind of energy that has helped spur them over the past few seasons.
He never gave up his club or his town, and everyone reaped the rewards. Congratulations to the Latics, and we look forward to seeing them back where they belong.
Nine arrested in multiple coordinated raids after ‘celebrating Hitler’s birthday’ in Oldham pub
Danny Jones
Nine arrests were made earlier this week after a group of suspected neo-Nazis were discovered celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday at a pub in Oldham last month.
Alarming stuff, to say the least.
The individuals in question were arrested following a series of coordinated morning raids across multiple areas of Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford and Stockport.
Another man was taken into custody from an address in Southport, with those involved belonging to the North West arm of a far-right group known simply as ‘British Movement’.
Craft Union Pubs, who operate the establishment, said they were “absolutely appalled”. (Credit: Google Maps)
The pub in question was the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton, a town of around 21,000 people located in north Oldham; the owners, who were said to have been ‘tricked’ into allowing the celebrations, were shocked to learn the group were observing Hitler’s birthday.
Upon realising the true nature of the festivities after images were shared on social media, staff immediately reported the party to the local authorities and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers based in and around the borough were then made aware of the situation.
As seen online – including on British Movement Northern’s (BMN) own website – the pub were seen holding Nazi flags, SS bolts and the Iron Cross, even posting pictures eating a cake with swastika icing alongside captions which included the line, “the 136th birthday of Uncle A.”
Taking place on Wednesday morning, 7 May, several morning raids saw those present detained on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences, which relate to displaying written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred.
During the extensive operation, everything from imitation firearms to real weapons like swords and a crossbow, along with numerous other pieces of Nazi memorabilia were found. Police are still investigating the incident and searching the relevant premises in Oldham and beyond.
Beyond shocking. (Credit: BMN)
GMP have been quick to contact Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to advise on the materials and assess further risk; for instance, following the recovery of a suspected grenade at a property in Bolton, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was deployed and the item declared safe.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said in an official statement: “Due to the nature of the materials we recovered at the warrants today, we have liaised with colleagues at CTPNW. This is a matter of course, and it very much remains a GMP-led investigation.
“It’s important that all avenues are explored to establish the extent of the criminal offences which have been committed, and whilst our investigation is still in its early stages, we do not believe there to be a risk to the wider public.
“This group clearly has a deep fascination with ideas that we know are unsettling for communities across Greater Manchester. We must take action when concerns are raised, and where weapons are suspected, to ensure people are free to live without fear of intimidation or harm.”
Naturally, GMP are encouraging people to stay vigilant and come forward with any further information or concerns they may have.
The Manc -
20th May 2021 
