I WOULD like to take this opportunity to write a few words of remembrance for Mrs Olive Woodward of Horwich, who died recently.

I first met Olive, along with Bill Woodward, her husband, in 1989 when the Horwich New Heart Club was formed and we began raising funds for local heart surgery. Over the years, Olive became a prominent member of our group and has taken a key role in the organisation of our numerous fund-raising events that have included sponsored activities to performances of various kinds.

Olive's particular speciality was to organise a variety of musical evenings which have included Bolton Male Voice Choir concerts along with our annual Bolton Hoover Brass Band Evening, held in December. This love of music has been of major importance for both Olive and Bill; many years ago, they formed, along with other enthusiasts, the 'Friends From Horwich Concert Party'. This ensemble, with Olive as one of the main singers, have regularly performed in hospitals and homes for the elderly, throughout the Bolton area.

These concerts were free but charitable donations were accepted; a great many charities subsequently benefited from these events including RNLI, NSPCC, Christies, Guide Dogs, Vision Aid, Barnardos, Marie Curie, Cancer Relief, Derian House and many more. Olive and her charity work was widely appreciated. It was of little surprise then, that many people attended her funeral.

We came to say our farewells to a friend and to a person who had spent many years working for good causes for the wider community.

Olive will be missed and will remain in our thoughts for many years to come.

Mr Roger Bunyan

Chairman of Horwich New Heart Club

Crown Lane

Horwich

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