Posted By: Ashley Dearnley
Date Posted: 21/12/2007

Especially at this time of year I always think ''what would we do without volunteers"?'
Over a two week period I took note of the various meetings and organisations I have been involved with where so many people give voluntarily of their time to make a real difference to our town.
I attended two school governors meetings where parents and local people work hard to manage their local school.
I attended the Wardle Anderson Band AGM  where a group of dedicated musicians and their supporters, who not only help give Rochdale a good name on the national stage with their competition success, but also help many local charities, not least the Mayors’, in raising funds.
I attended a new group that is being established, bringing together people from various organisations in Littleborough to help improve and promote the Littleborough area led by Steven Lister chair of Littleborough Lions.
I’ve also helped the WRVS deliver ‘Meals on Wheels’, where so many people regularly give of their time to deliver the meals to the residents of the Borough, who without this service many would have great difficulty to maintain independent living.
Finally, not forgetting on the Saturday I joined my parents for lunch at the Coach House in Littleborough; this super facility is only available thanks to the foresight and great efforts of lots of people who over many years have made this dream a reality. Ably led for many years by Mrs Nan Dearden, who taught me as a child and has been a great inspiration to so many of my generation.
This list is by no means exhaustive and just gives a flavour of so much hard work done by so many volunteers from which we all benefit.
As I said... what would we do without volunteers?
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Holy Christmas, and a Happy Eid.  Then a Prosperous, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.