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Women take hats off to fantastic winner Pauline

Words by Diane Leach, pictures by Karen Best and Tim Bradley
25/ 4/2008

WRVS STALWART and mental health campaigner Pauline Fardon is the 2008 Rochdale Woman of the Year.

Mrs Fardon was presented with the Sylvia Diggle Rose Bowl from the 2008 title holder, Mrs Sue Rothwell, who gave a moving speech which drew warm applause from the audience.

But the day belonged to Mrs Fardon. Outlining her many contributions to good causes, Springhill Hospice chief executive Mrs Christine Webb said she was a worthy winner.

After starting with the Meals on Wheels service in 1977, when her son started school, Mrs Fardon soon became local organiser of the Rochdale branch, then metropolitan organiser for the whole of the borough, as well as Bacup.

Still an active member of WRVS, she represents the organisation on the Crossroads committee.

Her charitable spirit was also inspired by the plight of Vietnamese families who arrived in Rochdale and she helped support and settle them in, in addition to working in the coffee shops at Birch Hill and Rochdale Infirmary.

Other commitments include Metro Rochdale Age Concern – Mrs Fardon is a trustee – bereavement counselling and supporting Macmillan nurses.

Ten years ago she helped form a group for people with mental health illness, Mood Swings, and was also involved with Making Spaces and the Mental Health Group.

A keen jogger, she belongs to a team of ladies, Allsorts, which takes part in charity runs, and is an active member of St Patrick’s RC Church.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Fardon described winning the title as ‘unbelievable’ and thanked everyone.

Encouraging others, if they had the time, to volunteer, she told the audience: "Nothing can repay you for the work you do. Giving a little time makes all the difference."

THE Town Hall took on an added sparkle when almost 300 ladies dressed to impress for the annual Women of Rochdale luncheon.

The major fundraiser for Springhill Hospice began with a buck’s fizz reception and was followed by a delicious four-course meal.

Messages of support were read by Councillor Angela Coric, chairwoman of the Women of Rochdale committee, from Anne, Duchess of Norfolk, David Cameron, the leader of the opposition and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen.

Chief Executive Mrs Christine Webb said the luncheon celebrated the contribution made by women in every walk of life, not just the nominees, of which there were 26 this year.

This year, the judging committee selected a shortlist of four candidates.

The winner was Pauline Fardon, who just pipped three other impressive nominees.

Anne McNicholas is project director of Heath Aid, which focuses most of its work in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Romania in the field of medical and nursing care.

Without her leadership, expertise and total commitment, babies and children in Romania with HIV, who are provided with medical and sustenance by the charity, would face a different fate.

Miss Anne, as the children affectionately know her, has changed their lives.

Joyce Tweedale, of Castleton, was short-listed for her work with children and in her local community.

Over a 30-year period, she and her husband fostered over 300 babies, as well as adopting three children on top of their own two. She was also a registered childminder.

Since retiring she has been active in fundraising for Cot Dean Syndrome, is a supporter of Francis House Children’s Hospice, and a regular volunteer in St Martin’s Charity Shop.

During her 40 years in Rochdale, Susan Verity has made a huge contribution to the town’s cultural life. A pianist and cellist, she is a founder member of Rochdale Musical Society and a member of Northern Baroque.

Young people may know her best for her involvement with Rochdale Youth Orchestra and Mrs Verity was instrumental in persuading Lisa Stansfield to become president of RYO. She has been a committee member and volunteer with Rochdale Youth Festival of Music, Speech and Dance since 1989.

Following the presentation of the Sylvia Diggle Rose Bowl to the 2008 winner the afternoon continued with guest speaker Denise Welch.

The Loose Women and Waterloo Road actress had the audience laughing out loud with her anecdotes and jokes.

On a more serious note, she said she was delighted a woman who championed the cause for improved awareness of mental health problems had won the 2008 title,

Ms Welch said: "I’ve had my own ongoing battle with mental illness for 20 years. It started with post-natal depression and I couldn’t believe how little help was available. But for my very supportive family, I would not be here today."

Click on 'View gallery' to see more pictures from the event

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