Recent Winners - Good Neighbours

Neighbours who are caring, considerate and there when they are needed have been recognised in our Good neighbour Awards.  

Paul Sutcliffe from Kirkholt

Geoffrey Howarth (Pauls neighbour) told us that he appreciated the help Paul have him tidying up his garden which was overgrown when he moved in.   He said, "Paul took over the heavy work and worked in all weathers to turn the garden into the best garden you could imagine. Nominating Paul for this award is my way of saying thank you".  

Paul received his award from Phil Woolas MP, who said, “When RBH contacted Paul to invite him to receive the award he said he didn't think he had done anything special, he was just doing what he considers neighbours should do for each other.  Well, the neighbour told us that it is a big deal and that they really appreciate the kindness and consideration they have been shown. Maybe we can all learn from this and become better neighbours ourselves”.  

Shewu Ayeni from Castleton, Rochdale. 

Shewu was nominated by Mrs Nicky Whitaker.  In her nomination she said,  “My son lost his wallet on Hill Top Drive, Kirkholt.  This contained all his cards including Bank and Driving Licence. It also contained an amount of cash. He realised he had lost the wallet when he got home and went back to Kirkholt to see if he could find it but it had gone. He was upset when got home as he was going out that night. Before he went out Shewu turned up with his wallet, he had found the wallet on path on Kirkholt. He had then taken a cab from Kirkholt to Shawforth to return it so Tom would not have to go through cancelling his cards.  All the money was still in the wallet and he had paid for the cab himself which cost nearly £10. Good job we were in otherwise the journey would have cost him double that, I gave Shewu a lift home and what a nice chap he was. Tom was really grateful to him and so was I. Its good to see that nice people are still out there and willing to do the right thing”.

Pictured (left to right)

Back: Jim Dobbin MP, Leonie Roberts collecting an award on behalf of her neighbour Ann Hall from Middleton, Paul Rowen MP.  Front: Maisie Ripley from Pennines, Joyce Dudley from Heywood, Sheila Hughes and Larry Hughes from Hamer.

Presenting some of our winners with their awards, Jim Dobbin MP said, “This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise good neighbours in our community. These people give free of charge and show the true, caring nature of our close-knit communities”.   Paul Rowen MP said, ““The awards are a great opportunity to say thank you on behalf of the people who benefit from having great neighbours and to promote to everyone how easy it is to make a real positive difference to your neighbours life.  Whether it’s popping to the shops for them, helping out in the garden, putting their bins out or just being a good friend who’s there for them when they need someone to talk to”.

Back to Good Neighbour Awards