HEAVY DOWNPOURS could not dampen spirits at the launch of the annual Saddleworth Village Olympics – despite the traditional colourful balloon release failing to take off.
Hundreds of children dressed in their village colours and gathered with their parents at Saddleworth School for the opening parade and reading of the Village Games Oath.
Adrian Green, who is co-chairing the Games organising committee with Jon Mayor and Martyn Roo, welcomed competitors to the 29th annual event.
He said: “I hope we are still celebrating these Games in 29 years to show our children’s children and their children what it means to live in Saddleworth.”
Then Richard Bartlett, president of Rotary Club of Saddleworth which has been involved with the Games for more than a decade, officially declared the event open.
But the grey skies delivered a heavy deluge just before the countdown for the balloon launch, which meant just a few bright spots fizzled away into the clouds.
However, cheers and clapping filled the air as the children prepared to get the athletics underway – the first activities of the three-week schedule.
The Saddleworth Village Olympics will see 14 sports, including football, cricket, tag rugby and dodgeball, played from September 6 to 21 by seven to 16-year-olds representing their villages.
Saddleworth School, Uppermill Sports Club, Saddleworth Rangers RLFC and Tame Valley Tennis Club all provide the crucial venues, along with Churchill Playing Fields.
The Olympics are financially supported by numerous partners, including Oldham Council and Saddleworth Parish Council, The Saddleworth Rotary Club, The Saddleworth Round Table, Tesco and Scott’s Mill.
For a schedule of events and more information, visit www.saddleworthvillageolympics.co.uk
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