In pictures: Jubilee beacon lit at Oldham Parish Church

The event was part of Oldham’s Platinum Jubilee festival – which continues throughout the weekend.

Seventy torchbearers, one for each year of the Queen’s reign, paraded through the town centre, before helping to light the specially commissioned beacon, designed by local craftspeople.

A full list of the torchbearers is below:

Sarah Jane Tate       

Raised more than £12k for charity Trials for Tehyah.

Cycled the length of Britain and walked a marathon to raise money for Tehyah Solan-Clarke, who needs specialist equipment and 24-hour care.

Teyhah is terminally ill and lives with a rare genetic disease: Generalised Arterial Calcification Infancy. 

Mick Bowskill           

A veteran who created Mick’s Royton Walking Group and raises money for charity. 

Phillida Shipp          

Phillida was a Labour parish councillor for four years and has been a member of the Peace Movement since the 1980s. 

Deborah Vickers      

Deborah has done some incredible work for the Keyring charity, empowering vulnerable adults across Oldham to live independently. 

Tajul Islam    

Tajul has overcome addiction in the last few years and was volunteering during the pandemic, including with Action Together. 

Mohammed Afruz Miah 

Afruz Miah and his team ran all the way from Oldham to London to raise money for the Global Relief Trust. Photo: Global Relief Trust (Image: Global Relief Trust)     

Raised £500,000 for charity, including more than £100k running from Oldham to London this year, and is a recipient of a British Empire Medal.

Major Eddy Hardaker          

Major Hardaker has served over 40 years in the British army. A volunteer for many local charities and schools, he gives talks to veterans and schoolchildren about his army career and the places he has served.

Samah Khalil            

Former Oldham Youth mayor and youngest recipient of a British Empire Medal.

Stephen Exton         

Has been a dedicated Beaver, Cub and Scout Leader in Oldham for nearly 40 years.  

Najma Khalid            

Founder of the Women’s Chai Project in 2011 – raises awareness around wellbeing. 

Paul Bradbury 

After retiring, Paul spent lockdown and beyond volunteering at vaccination centres and food banks, helping those less fortunate as he did his whole career.

A treasurer at Oldham Law Association.

Safia Hussain 

Set up a ladies cricket team at Werneth CC.

John Battye 

A public servant to Oldham who has raised thousands for charity. 

Millie Downing         

Resilient throughout the pandemic, Millie worked hard at home and continues to get good reports from New Bridge School. She is a buddy at school and is kind and helpful. 

Jewel Choudhury     

A fundraiser who opened his own charity, Ease, which collects money to cover funeral costs for those struggling to pay. 

Aminul Hoque 

Runs Vision Youth and Community and brought about a vaccination centre at the Millennium Centre. 

Mary Moulton 

Involved in the Community Garden on Agnes Robinson Street in Chadderton. Trustee at the Crossley Centre and runs a keep fit class for the community. 

Mick Harwood          

Set up Friends of Tandle Hill Country Park and does a monthly litter pick. 

Maggie Hughes        

Businesswoman and vice-chair of Oldham Town Deal Board.

Peter Davis   

Former Labour councillor, Street Angel Volunteer.

Andrew Shilitto 

Supports the Barrier Breakers group as a representative for young people with SEND. Andrew also helps coach football and works in a local charity shop. 

Karen Jakeman 

A representative from Lees, Springhead and Grotton business Hub.

Organised litter picks, formed the Saddleworth Olympics, and organised community events during lockdown.

Graham Taylor         

Graham is secretary of the Firwood and District Residents Association (FADRA) and works tirelessly on projects to improve the lives of residents of the Firwood estate. 

Joanne Sloan 

The CEO of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

John Starkey 

Instrumental in setting up Springboard Oldham Dementia Carers Group. John also holds many other voluntary roles.

Ibrahim Yousef

Ibrahim is unwell at the moment and so sent Lee Hollinworth and Simon Brooke in his place. Both have supported him in different ways.

A Hathershaw College pupil, Ibrahim is a fundraiser and was awarded a British Empire Model aged 13 for his charity work.

Kimberley Rogers    

Director of REEL CIC Real Education Empowering Lives and recipient of a British Empire Medal.

Cerys Shaw  

A young charity fundraiser, Cerys volunteers every week at a local after school club. 

Elaine Robinson 

Committed to improving the lives of families affected by SEND.

Keira Arnold 

The schoolgirl, aged 13, has now been awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award 2020 for Oldham by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Eamonn O'Neal.

Received the Mayor of Oldham's Appreciation Award for raising £35,000 for the hospice. 

Mufti Helal    

Oldham Interfaith Forum and Oldham Mosque Council.

Harry and Hilda Bland         

Will have been married 70 years on Tuesday, July 19. Married at Oldham Parish Church. 

Reverend Canon Jean Hurlston 

Founder of Oldham Street Angels, Dean of Oldham. 

Lesley Marshall        

Was voted for a Pride in Oldham award and does a lot for charities and her family.

Brogan Crowley 

Brogan Crowley

Brogan has represented Team GB at the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022.  

Michelle Tierney 

A pharmacist in Oldham who made Christmas lunches in the local pub for people who would not usually be invited anywhere, and only stopped doing this after she suffered a stroke. 

Bryn Hughes 

Father of murdered PC Nicola Hughes and charity fundraiser.

Marzia Babakarkhail            

Afghanistan refugee and former Judge. 

Kidella Greenhalgh  

Kidella is a local community champion who has spent 26 years supporting communities to improve their health, working at OCL and now ABL Health.  

John and Susan Corbishley           

Run the Oldham Church Lads and Church Girls’ Brigade 

Yvonne Thatcher     

A social worker who has worked for Oldham for 16 years. She shows a huge commitment to Oldham, to individuals, the community and the Council. 

Kelly Tattersall 

Kelly worked endlessly with local community organisations during the pandemic, to make sure that large collections and food parcels were delivered.

Charlene Burns 

Charlene was awarded a British Empire Medal for her community work. Director at REEL CIC.

Christopher Hamilton          

Chris started the new Oldham rugby league club in 1997. Worked tirelessly to keep the club afloat and to keep professional rugby alive in the town. 

Nicci Robinson        

Girl Guide leader.

Andrew Taylor GP

Volunteers with Oldham Mountain Rescue Team. Chairman of Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association. 

Harley Kendrick

Jaf Din           

Jaf has spent most of his working life as a youth worker, concentrating on helping young people get into work or further education. 

Aimee-Grace Bird    

Volunteers her time at church.

Fauzia Chowdry 

Leads Fatima Women’s Association. 

Rose Ssali     

Founder and Leads Support Action Women’s Network, which has a specialism around working with African Women, refugees and asylum seekers. 

Lee Marsland            

A “pillar of strength” amongst the community. Works with the homeless and with young people. Pastor at Impact Community Church.

Shirley Brown          

Secretary of Royton Linear Park community group.  

Saima Suleman 

Youth worker, playworker and henna artist. Saima supports others to be the best they can be and make the biggest difference they can. 

Girl Guide representatives

• Daisy Grayson
• Emma Bolger
• Brooke Smith
• Ellie Heath
• Darcey Walken-Smith

Youth Council representatives

• Freya Jones
• Ben Greenwood
• Victoria Jackson-Gao
• Mohammad Uhayd
• Nathan Wright

London Pageant representatives

• Hfsa Fahad
• Jessica Tierney
• Beth Draper
• Tom Penketh