Men of Rochdale Luncheon 2014

The nineteenth annual Men of Rochdale Luncheon will take place in the Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 28 November.

The luncheon is held annually to raise vital funds for Springhill Hospice, whilst also honouring the man, who through public nominations and then final analysis by the Men of Rochdale Committee, is considered to have made the most significant contribution to the Rochdale community.

Tickets for the event are available from the Fundraising Department at Springhill Hospice, priced at £38. This includes a four course lunch, a beer reception and guest speaker Sir David Trippier, former senior partner with local Stockbrokers Pilling, Trippier and Co., Rochdale councillor, Member of Parliament for Rossendale and a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Educated at Bury Grammar School he was later commissioned as an officer in the Royal Marines Reserve in which he has served for 30 years.

Sir David was knighted by the Queen in 1992 and became High Sherriff of Lancashire for 1997/1998.  In 1999 he published his autobiography entitled ‘Lend Me Your Ears’.  He is married to Lady Ruth and has three sons.

Melanie Caffrey, Fundraiser at Springhill Hospice said: “Our Man of Rochdale event is one of the most popular events in our annual calendar. We are so grateful to Sir David Trippier for coming to entertain us this year to conclude our 25th Anniversary year. What a privilege it is to watch the new Man of Rochdale be crowned on this very humbling afternoon, and a great social occasion.”

The 2013 Man of the Year was John Whyman, a volunteer creative therapist at Springhill Hospice, Dr Kershaw's and Birch Hill, and previous holders of the title include Norman Wellens, Stephen Butterworth, Garry Whitworth, Roman Paraszczak, Colin Fielding, Father Arthur Nearey, Ken Davies MBE, Steve Cohen, David Grime, Brian Beal, Fred Bowker, Jack Hammill, Dr Jack Taylor, Gerry Sullivan, Frank Lever, Jim Rowbotham, Joe Salt, Marcus Hilton MBE and the very first recipient, former Mayor of Rochdale, Arnold Bagnall.

To make your nomination for this year’s ‘Man of the Year’ award, email your nomination and endorsement to melanie.caffrey@nhs.net 

Your email should be of no more than 500 words and the closing date for nominations to be received is Monday 3 November 2014.

Please note that your nominee can only be considered if he passes the following criteria:

• He must work or live in the Borough of Rochdale
• He must not already have received a Royal award
• He must be an ‘unsung’ member of the general public having voluntarily given of his time and efforts to improve the lives of others within the Rochdale Borough

Melanie continued: “Since the luncheon was launched it has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Springhill Hospice and brought just recognition to some of the town’s most worthy gentlemen. I know that the event is always popular and so I would urge any gentlemen interested in attending to book their tickets early.”

To purchase your tickets, please contact Springhill Hospice Fundraising Office on 01706 641790.

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