Christine stunned by alderman award

CHRISTINE WHEELER: surprised.

FORMER mayor of Oldham Christine Wheeler is to receive one of the borough’s top accolades.

She and another former mayor, David Jones, will become honorary aldermen at a Civic Centre ceremony on Wednesday, September 14.

The former nurse who lives in Uppermill stepped down in May after 23 years as a Liberal Democrat councillor in Saddleworth.

She described the accolade as “overwhelming”.

She said: “I feel very surprised. It never entered my head because it is quite rare. I am really quite amazed at this and grateful to Oldham.”

Mrs Wheeler (75) followed her late husband, Bob, into politics and explained: “He was a councillor. You started to help and you became involved, and you believed in the principle that the Liberal Democrats stood for.”

The former Hulme Grammar School for Girls pupil was installed as mayor in May 2001, only days before the Oldham riots, and said: “That impacted a great deal, it made a difference.”

But she enjoyed her year in office and added: “I did know the borough quite well because I had been a nurse, I had done quite a lot of visiting, and I have always lived in Oldham.

“As mayor, you realise what a lot of good things are done that don’t get publicity, the involvement of people who give their own time for free.”

The grandmother-of-four is a governor at Roundthorn and Delph primary schools and a member of Oldham Ramblers and Huddersfield Rucksack Club.

Asked what she enjoyed most about being a councillor, she said: “I enjoyed the little things that we can get done for people that don’t make the headlines.

“I also enjoyed the planning and social services that I have been involved in. I don’t know if enjoy is the right word — I found it satisfying.”