Dedicated service rewarded by alderman title

CIVIC pride... Oldham Mayor Councillor Richard Knowles, centre, presents the framed certificates to Honorary Alderman Christine Wheeler and David Jones.

TWO former Oldham mayors were made Honorary Aldermen of the borough at a special ceremony in the council chamber yesterday.

Welshman David Jones and local girl Christine Wheeler received the honour — held by only five other people — after they clocked up 51 years between them as councillors before stepping down this year.

Former teacher Mr Jones was a Labour councillor for 28 years, council leader from 2003 to 2008 and Mayor in 2010/11.

As chairman of the education committee, he was a driving force behind the creation of Oldham Sixth Form College in 1992 — one of the largest changes to education in the borough.

Critics feared that it would be an “expensive white elephant” — but is one of the country’s most successful colleges.

Mr Jones has been chairman of governors at Oldham College for more than 20 years.

He was credited as one of the best orators the council has seen and said “I am never going to get used to being called honorary alderman. I just hope that in future people will call me the name that my parents gave me.

“I am still David, I will continue to be David and I will continue to hopefully serve the people of Oldham in whatever way I can.

“Thanks to Oldham my adopted home and I hope I am now an adopted son.”

Mrs Wheeler grew up in Failsworth and followed her late husband, Bob into politics, serving as a Liberal Democrat councillor for 23 years.

The former nurse was installed as Mayor only days before the Oldham riots in 2001. She also led the borough’s tributes following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Former colleagues said Mrs Wheeler preferred helping others to the limelight and praised her hard work, especially on the adoption panel.

Giving heart-felt thanks she replied: “The day-to-day duties of a councillor do not usually get reported. The major decisions of policy rightly make the headlines.

“But small things that mean a lot to one or two people or a street, mean a great deal to the people concerned.

“The nitty gritty of councillors is why the council is so important.”

The ceremony opened and closed with moving performances by Saddleworth Male Voice Choir.

Council leader Councillor Jim McMahon said: “It is extremely important that the contribution Christine and David have made to Oldham is recognised.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with David for many years and it is fitting that his loyalty to local people and his dedicated public service should be marked with the awarding of this title.

“His passion is undoubtedly education and under his leadership David helped transform the education opportunities and attainment targets of students in the borough.

“David was lead for the team responsible for the opening of Oldham Sixth Form College and at the time, many people said the project was over ambitious. Some thought there would never be that many young people wanting to carry on their education, but they were wrong.

“It is now one of the finest further education establishments in the country achieving some of the best A-Level results.

“Christine was one of the best informed, most conscientious and well respected members. During her working life as a nurse and her public life as a councillor, Christine was always helping people.

“Thanks to her work on the Adoption Panel hundreds of children across the borough have benefited from her dedicated service in settling adopted children into suitable families.

“Christine’s life has, and continues to be, one of service to anyone in need. She richly deserves to be made an Honorary Alderman.”