Marilyn Jones - Woman of Rochdale 2018

Date published: 27 April 2018

Marilyn Jones is the Woman of Rochdale 2018.

Announcing Marilyn as the winner at the Women of Rochdale Luncheon on Friday (27 April) at Rochdale Town Hall, Melanie Caffrey said: “This year’s winner has tirelessly reached out to members of the society who are less fortunate and have nothing or very little.

“Whilst she may not be the only person involved in this charitable work, without her ambition, determination and drive it may not be such a success.

“The purpose of being charitable is the input of help and this lady is an excellent example of this.”

Marilyn said: “I was overwhelmed when I received the nomination letter two weeks ago, but I am absolutely gobsmacked now. I really didn’t expect this, and I thank you all very much. I really don’t know what to say."

 

The moment Marilyn realises she has been named Woman of Rochdale

 

She added: “The first pan of soup I ever made and took to the town hall was pea and ham and two people came and one of them said ‘I can’t eat that because I’m a vegetarian’. It has been vegetable soup since then!

“We now have our own premises which is behind Champness Hall with seven rooms over three floors. Each of the rooms are used for all sorts of things; we have washers and driers, space for doctors and nurses, hairdressers and we’re working on getting showers and computers.

“We are going to start opening all afternoon serving two course lunches as well as holding the soup kitchen as tradition.

“We have renovated the building and the next aim of the game is to renovate the kitchen very soon and that means we can open all day. So, if anybody wants to volunteer see me!

“Deborah Howarth, another nominee, was one of our soup makers for years until very recently so I thank her as well.”

 

Marilyn with her daughter Morgan after being named Woman of Rochdale

 

Five years ago, Marilyn began to help the homeless in Rochdale when she made a large pan of soup, took some bread and parked outside Rochdale Town Hall with her car boot open. From serving a few people on the streets, the beginnings of today’s soup kitchen was established.

Enlisting help from Rochdale Parish Church of St Chad’s – moving the soup kitchen from outside the Town Hall into a warmer and welcoming environment - Marilyn and a group of volunteers began to help the homeless weekly, producing homemade soups and cake on a rota basis, four nights a week.

During the Winter months, Marilyn also opens a weekend soup kitchen. With the help from volunteers, she provides Rochdale hostel with a Saturday lunchtime hot meal.

 

Kath O'Donnell (Woman of Rochdale 2017) presents Marilyn Jones wiith the Woman of Rochdale 2018 award

 

Feeding up to 50 people in one evening, Marilyn also takes refugees and people in hostel care under her wing, providing them with fresh foods each day.

From this, she has developed a great deal of support from local supermarkets and businesses who supply her with fresh produce to make the meals, encouraging healthier choices for the service-users.

Marilyn also works closely with Pennine Trust who now hold regular surgeries at Champness Hall, with a doctor and nurse in attendance. This has helped many homeless people gain access to health care by successfully delivering flu vaccinations and pushing the service-users to feel safe to volunteer for further medical screening.

Local hairdressers who heard of Marilyn’s venture also offer their hairdressing skills for free to service-users.

Along with establishing the soup kitchen, Marilyn has been organising Christmas Day parties for the elderly for over 40 years. Marilyn started the Christmas Day dinner as a member of Thrum Hall Youth Group, being in her early teens at the time. She has since remained a member of Thrum Hall Methodist Church, where the dinner is served, with generations of church family members donating time and gifts.

Every year on Christmas Day, Marilyn serves the four-course Christmas dinner – free of charge – for up to 120 people. She organises and provides the travel to get the elderly there and back, as well as delivering to those who can’t make it and to homeless hostels.

 

Mayoress Christine Duckworth with last year's Woman of Rochdale Kath O'Donnell

 

Toastmaster was Alan Calow and toasts were given by the Mayoress of Rochdale Christine Duckworth and Mayoress of Whitworth Janet Neal. Entertainment was provided by Sing! Littleborough choir.

Joanna Rowsell-Shand MBE, former World Champion and Gold Medal Olympic Cyclist at London 2012 and Rio 2016 was the speaker. In 2012, Joanna became World Champion, World Record holder and Olympic Champion after training since the age of 16 for the Olympic games.

She said: “I wasn’t particularly sporty at school, but I have learnt that talent is just a very small part of being successful.

“I was bewildered to be picked for the Olympics as I knew nothing about cycling in school and it wasn’t my area of expertise. However, I have learnt that perseverance, hard work and making a few sacrifices is the key to success.”

 

Mayoress Christine Duckworth and guests at the Woman of Rochdale Luncheon 2018 with Joanna Rowsell-Shand MBE

 

Joanna Rowsell-Shand MBE shows her Olympic medals at the Woman of Rochdale Luncheon 2018

 

The Luncheon is held annually for Springhill Hospice in celebration of the Women of Rochdale. It honours the woman who, initially through public nominations and then by final analysis by the ‘Women of Rochdale’ Committee, is considered to have contributed the most to the community of Rochdale.

The event was sponsored by Goldrick Blinds and Jackson and Jackson Ltd.