Mayor’s cancer treatment forces suspension of duties

THE Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Richard Knowles, has revealed that he has been forced to suspend all civic duties until March while he undergoes treatment for nasal cancer.

The Saddleworth South councillor, who took up the Mayoral role in May, said the decision had been taken after discussions with both his surgeon and GP.

“I am absolutely devastated that this should happen now as I am thoroughly enjoying being Mayor of Oldham and getting to meet so many of the citizens at the countless social events,” he said.

Councillor Knowles went in for a routine procedure on his nose in November but results from that prompted him to be recalled to Manchester Royal Infirmary and he has now started a immediate three-month course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The grandfather-of-two said that the doctors had strongly advised him to avoid crowds as the risk of infection heightens as the therapy sessions become more invasive.

“Obviously the mayoress and myself meet hundreds of people a week during the mayoral engagements and these will have to stop.

“There were no official functions over the Christmas and New Year period but they start again on January 6 and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Olwyn Chadderton, will take over — that’s what we have a deputy for.”

Councillor Knowles, who lives in Greenfield, has been a hugely popular mayor. He has been at numerous functions with his wife Valerie and current youth mayor Chantel Birtwistle.

“I am hopeful that this has been caught early.

“I have had all the tests, MRI and CT scans and a bone marrow extract and once this course of treatment is completed I plan to be able to resume my duties in March.”

Councillor Knowles is professor of transport geography at Salford University, with an international reputation in the subject, and a member of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

Oldham Council chief executive Charlie Parker said: “The council fully understands the Mayor’s need to withdraw temporarily from his public duties at this time and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”