- CONTRIBUTIONS
School Visit to Hadrian's Wall
During the second week of Oldham Wakes a party of sixty-three Greenhillians and four members of staff paid a visit to several Roman forts situated along Hadrian's Wall. We left Greenhill early on Tuesday, stopping at Ripon for lunch, where many of us went to see the Cathedral. In the afternoon we viewed the excavations of the Roman fort of Corstopitum in the pouring rain. We reached the youth hostel in Carlisle in time for supper. In the evening we were free to do as we wished. Some went into Carlisle whilst others stayed in the hostel common room.
The next day we visited the forts at Chesters and Housesteads, and then we walked along Hadrian's Wall for three miles to Once Brewed. We spent the night again at Carlisle Youth Hostel. On Thursday we spent the morning exploring Carlisle castle and museum, much to the enjoyment of the younger ones, whom we lost on the battlements after "digging them out of the dungeons." Thursday afternoon saw us in Kendal where we were allowed to explore the town centre before returning to Oldham.
P. Bardsley, R. Pickford.
The Oldham Council of Youth,
1962-63
Since I have been one of the Greenhill Grammar School representatives on the Oldham Council of Youth for the past two years, you would perhaps be interested to hear what goes on around the boardroom table in the Education Offices once a month.
The Annual General Meeting marking the beginning of a new Council year was held in October. As at previous A.G.M.s, a set of projects was decided upon and new officers were elected. As your representative I was appointed to represent Oldham on the North West Regional Council of Youth, affectionately known as "The North West."
Slowly the wheels of our organisation began to turn. By Christmas work was under way in preparation for our Annual Charity Dance, and the less serious Tiddly-Winks Competition. Again we pestered friends and relations for money for our 'Christmas Envelope Scheme' which this year provided a Christmas parcel for some 64 of our town's old-age pensioners. Delivering these parcels was a most satisfying task and I personally shall never forget the throb in the 'Thank-you' of one old woman as she grasped my hand.
To supplement Youth Council resources a coffee morning was held at Cannon Street Youth Centre. There was a lot of rain, a lot of Youth Councillors, a lot of coffee, but a meagre supply of customers. Pre-sale of tickets, however, ensured a financial success.
My first commitment of the New Year was to attend the A.G.M. Conference of the 'North West' in Blackpool. The theme of the weekend was 'Youth Exploited' and the speaker was Brother Ronald, an Anglican Franciscan Friar. Brother Ronald has an inspiring personality and had deep-seated views on the subject in question. He certainly opened our eyes to the tricks and gimmicks of the advertising agencies.
Back in Oldham, of course, the Youth Council machinery was gathering momentum; February saw the 'Charity Dance, March the Tiddly-Winks Competition, and April a house-to-house collection. All these proved to be more successful than anticipated. The Dance at the Town Hall raised more than £60 for the Mayor's Distress Fund. It is pleasing to note that this is the first time that a local charity has benefited. In a similar vein our house-to-house collection in Werneth and the Garden Suburb on behalf of 'Guide Dogs for the Blind' raised well over £50. The Tiddly-Winks competition attracted more entries than in previous years and as an umpire I noted a better standard of squidging and squapping.
'Human Relationships' was the theme of the May conference which I attended at Windermere. The topic is a wide one to cover adequately but our speakers inspired thoughts on all aspects when the discussion group stage was reached. In many ways it was a valuable weekend.
As this term of the Council moves to its conclusion we are preparing to take and share in the entertainment of the party of young people from Kranj, who visit Oldham this summer. Their visit, we hope, will be an exciting climax to the year's work of the various branches of the Youth Service in Oldham.
Whilst penning this report I recalled the occasion when I agreed to represent the school on the Council of Youth. To me then, it was a way by which a non-participant on the Sports field could serve his school. To me now, it has become an integral part of the life. Over the past two years it has served to widen my experiences and outlook. It introduced me first to a new set of friends in Oldham and later right across Lancashire.
I have become a member of a team, a team which is trying to draw youth together in an understanding of itself, a team which is finding opportunities for youth to serve, so that it may develop an understanding of the world about it and create a knowledge of the essentials of good citizenship.
J.M.T.S., Vl.B.Lit.