Family donates historic salver

AN historic piece of civic silverware has been donated to the borough.

The silver salver was presented to William Ogden Lees, a former chairman of Lees Urban District Council, by fellow councillors in 1936 to mark his 25 years of service.

Mr Lees died two years later, leaving the salver to his widow Elsie. When she died in 1983, the silverware was passed to their son, also William.

William junior died last year and requested that on his death the plate be returned to the borough council, as Lees is no longer a separate district.

The salver was presented to Oldham’s Mayor, Councillor Olwen Chadderton, in the Mayor’s Parlour by William’s nephew, John Woolley.

Mr Woolley said: “My aunt is very glad it will now be preserved for posterity and will join the rest of the plates on display at the civic centre, which is where something like that belongs, rather than locked up in somebody’s home where nobody will see it.”