Austerlands memorial set to see Poppy wreath from Oldham mayor after council 'misunderstanding'

The organiser of a Remembrance Sunday service at Oldham’s oldest war memorial is now relieved after initially expressing “surprise and disappointment” as his request for a poppy wreath from the town’s mayor was apparently turned down.

David Needham, who arranges the Austerlands Remembrance Sunday event, had asked for the wreath at next month’s community event.

However, an initial council reply indicated that the mayor "unfortunately cannot attend" the event.

Now, though, in response to a letter from retired RAF squadron leader Rob Knotts, a Saddleworth Parish Councillor living in Austerlands who wrote to the Mayor in support of Mr Needham’s request, the Head of Oldham Democratic Services said: “There may have been some misunderstanding on our behalf in relation to the wreath laying.

“The services which take place around the Borough supported by the Royal British Legion have been agreed for a number of years, and these take place in conjunction with other services around the Borough.

“We can of course provide a wreath for the ceremony and Councillor Pam Byrne has kindly agreed to attend and lay the wreath. 

"I hope this rectifies this initial misunderstanding.”

Outlining the background, he said in 1979, ladies on the committee of the Austerlands Village Improvement Association cleaned the village’s war memorial in advance of Remembrance Sunday, and initiated an informal residents gathering to remember and respect the loss of lives in all conflicts. 

“This has continued ever since, and last year more than one hundred people attended to pay their respects," said Mr Needham.

“In 2021, wreaths were placed on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment; the Mayor of Austerlands, Saddleworth Parish Council, Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group, North West Ambulance Service and Blind Veterans UK.

“As the event organiser for a number of years and one of the original members of the Austerlands Village Improvement Association, it occurred to me we have never received a wreath on behalf of the Mayor of Oldham.  

“Therefore I wrote to the Mayor’s Office asking what the procedure is to rectify this situation,” he explained.

But a written response from the council’s Legal and Democratic services said: “Representatives of the Mayor lay wreaths at seven locations in the Borough, including two in Saddleworth and one in Lees. 

"These locations have been used for many years and we are unable to add others. 

“Representative councillors are alternated from the Ward areas for each location every year which again is historic policy and procedure.

"We are aware of other services happening in the borough, but unfortunately cannot attend them all.”

Before this morning's (Friday) admission of a 'misundertanding' and subsequent u-turn, Mr Needham added: “I am more than surprised we have been turned down.

"It seems the fallen men of our district are good enough to be respected by the late Queen Elizabeth II, but not by the Mayor's Office.”

That led to retired RAF squadron leader Mr Knotts, writing to the Mayor in support of Mr Needham’s request. 

He said: “While it is fully appreciated the mayor cannot be present on the day, it was suggested a representative, possibly a borough councillor, could place a wreath on the mayor's behalf.

“Sadly, a Mayoral Office official has turned down the opportunity.

"Feelings of rejection are disappointing, with perceptions the fallen men of our district are good enough to be respected by the late Queen Elizabeth II, but not by Oldham Mayor's Office. 

“My father served throughout WWI.

"I am a veteran of the Royal Air Force with 33 years’ service.

"Many others in our community have served in the armed forces or have relatives who have done so. 

“I do respectfully and sincerely ask the Mayoral office to reconsider its position to honour those who served and fell in both World Wars, and to respect the feelings of the community.”

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