A warm welcome for the ‘Welsh wizard’

DEPUTY Mayor Councillor Richard Knowles is presented with his chain of office by the new Mayor

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Tributes flow as David Jones becomes Mayor

THE “Welsh wizard” spoke of his pride at being honoured by the people of Oldham as he became the borough’s new Mayor.

Tributes were paid to outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle, and his successor, Councillor David Jones, during yesterday’s traditional mayor-making ceremony at the Civic Centre.

There was plenty of good humour during the formal ceremony, with much made of Wrexham-born Councillor Jones’s journey from North Wales to Oldham.

He had a long career as a science teacher before retiring in 2004. He has served as a Labour councillor in St James ward from 1980 to 1996 and then in Chadderton South from 1999.

Councillor David Hibbert said he took great pleasure in proposing the new Mayor, speaking of his skills as a teacher and his ability to reassure the vulnerable and worried.

Seconding the proposal, Councillor Jackie Stanton told the packed council chamber about Councillor Jones’s fighting political spirit and his pride in his family — saying he’s the best person for the job of Mayor.

Councillor John Hudson said he never thought he would be welcoming a “Welsh Wizard” to be Mayor but Councillor Jones was now virtually becoming “Mr Chadderton”.

He said: “I think it’s very appropriate that someone that has been here for 30 years and has been leader of Oldham Council should now finish being Mayor of Oldham.”

Calling the new Mayoress Jean Jones “a little bundle of dynamite”, he added: “These two people have proved to be excellent ambassadors for Chadderton and good and knowledgable councillors. We will get a very efficient and very hard-working Mayor.”

Councillor Jones said it was a great honour that the town had allowed him to become Mayor.

He said: “There are not many places that somebody can move to live and then be elected to the council, become council leader and then be made Mayor having not been brought up in that town. It’s the town that I love and it’s my home.

“Oldham is populated by some of the most wonderful people in the country.”

And he quipped: “I hadn’t realised how much you all thought of me. It was my intention not to seek re-election next year but seeing as you think so much of me ... no seriously, I am going.”

Explaining his choice of charities, he said as one of 10,000 people with diabetes in Oldham he is backing Diabetes UK and he is supporting the RNLI as his father’s family made their living at sea and people taking holidays at the seaside will know their value.

Oldham charity ACE Centre North allows young people with the most severe physical difficulties to participate fully in education and society.

Councillor John McCann gave thanks to the retiring Mayor, noting his hard work and warm smile that put people at ease.

Major developments started during his mayoral year included Metrolink, getting the town hall back to use and the science sentre, while appointing a Youth Mayor had shown young people they are valued and respected and that Oldham leads the way.

Councillor Hudson said he had predicted that Councillor McArdle would be “everyone’s favourite uncle” and it was due to his good nature and the way he carried out his duties that he has been a “people’s person”.

“You and Mayoress Kay Knox have both been radiant, hard working and wonderful ambassadors for the borough,” he added.

Councillor McArdle said it had been difficult fundraising with the economy in recession and he was therefore delighted to be able to distribute £50,000 to local charities.

He added: “It’s been a privilege to be Mayor in the town where I was born and brought up. I hope I have been a good ambassador for the people and businesses of Oldham. I can only say I have done my best.”

Councillor Richard Knowles was installed as Deputy Mayor after 30 years on the council, and his wife Valerie as Deputy Mayoress.