Residents' heroes honoured by council

From the The Bolton News, first published Monday 27th Aug 2007.

STALWARTS of the Westhoughton community have seen their hard work recognised.

Westhoughton Town Council handed out civic medals and certificates of achievement to deserving nominees put forward by local residents.

The award-winning Wingates Band became the first organisation to receive an award, typically given to individuals.

Presenting the award, town mayor Cllr Jim Gilfillan said the brass band had put the town on the world stage in the 134 years since it was established.

Band president David Kaye said: "We are Westhoughton born and bred and we've been proud to have been flying the Wingates district flag for so many years.

"Internationally, we are arguably one of Bolton's best known names in our field and it's an honour for the town to recognise that."

Mr Kaye said the band would take the medal with them on a trip to the US Open Brass Band Championships in Chicago in October.

A civic award also went to 93-year-old Hilda Riley, who has hosted children's parties, domino drives and ballroom dancing classes and continues to host the Birch Avenue Senior Social Club at Westhoughton's Carnegie Hall.

Joyce Cunliffe, church warden at St Bartholomew's Church, Westhoughton, gained a certificate for her work supporting the congregation and managing church events, including weddings, christenings and the annual Pretoria Pit memorial service.

Schools football veteran David Price, who recently took up the post of honorary secretary for the Greater Manchester County Schools Football Association, was given a certificate for his contribution to the sport locally.

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