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Hot on the heels of her seasonal howler where she deliberately substituted ‘Happy Holidays’ for ‘Merry Christmas’ in a message broadcast across her social media channels (read more here), Cllr Arooj Shah, the Leader of crisis-torn Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has managed to put her foot squarely in her mouth once again.

With so very many people, not just in the Borough of Oldham where he was born, brought up and still lives, but elsewhere across the country, lamenting that rugby league legend, Kevin Sinfield (pictured above left), was not knighted in the New Year’s Honours List, Cllr Shah takes to ‘X’ (or Twitter if you prefer), and presumably elsewhere, to make out that the award of a CBE medal (Commander of the British Empire) is worthy of ‘heartfelt congratulations’. 

In reality, the CBE is an insult when ‘Sir Kevin’, as he has been widely known for a number of years, should have been knighted quite some time ago, at least. He was awarded a MBE (Member of the British Empire) medal in 2014 and an OBE (Officer ditto) medal in 2021. Amongst many other honours accumulated over a glittering playing, and now coaching, career is the Freedoms of the City of Leeds and Oldham Borough.

His monumental fundraising achievements on behalf of Motor Neurone Disease charities has also brought nationwide acclaim over the past three years. ‘Sir Kevin’s’ long term friend and former playing colleague, Rob Burrow (pictured above right), also missed out  on a knighthood, despite facing a MND death sentence. Like, ‘Sinny’ he was handed a CBE as a consolation prize.

An Oldham stained glass painter, and virtually unknown across the Borough, was ‘surprised’ to be awarded a knighthood. Brian Clarke, also born and bred in the town, designed the stained glass roof lights in the Spindles Shopping Centre.

Speaking about being awarded a knighthood, Sir Brian, who is seventy years old said: “I’m feeling very surprised and grateful really. It’s wonderful to get noticed for one’s work, but to get honoured for it too is really very encouraging.”

Oldham Sixth Form College Principal, Jayne Clarke, received an OBE in the same New Year Honours list. She was appointed principal of the college in 2010 and, seven years later, co-founded the Pinnacle Learning Trust where she now sits as its executive principal. She says:

“It is a privilege to work with fantastic colleagues and students across The Pinnacle Learning Trust and, of course, at Oldham Sixth Form College, where I’ve been for the last 21 years.

“I really feel this honour is for everyone at our trust. I’m very lucky and grateful to receive it, but it’s very much a reflection of our collective achievements.

There appears to be no trace in the public domain of Cllr Shah, or Oldham Council, canvassing for a knighthood for one of the Borough’s most famous sons. The Leader was asked to clarify that point three days ago, but has not replied.

Kevin Sinfield, in his familiar humble and gracious style told BBC Breakfast that his campaign was ‘not about honours but raising awareness for motor neurone disease’.

Cllr Josh Charters, on his official St James’ ward Facebook page said. ‘It should have been a knighthood, not a CBE.’ Cllr Charters is also Secretary of the Oldham Labour Group. 

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Page last updated: Tuesday 2nd January, 2023 at 0735 hours

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