Sunshine parade for new Mayor

The new Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Councillor John Hudson, and his wife, Kathleen, in yesterday’s parade

THE new Mayor of Oldham, Councillor John Hudson, paraded through the town centre yesterday as he was officially welcomed to the post in a service at Oldham Parish Church.

The sun shone and many supporters watched in what a delighted Councillor Hudson described as “a fabulous turn-out”.

Councillor Hudson was led by Oldham Scottish Pipe Band to the church from the Civic Centre.

He was joined by armed forces veterans, police — including Chief Supt Catherine Hankinson — and fellow councillors to be inaugurated at the Mayoral service.

Prayers for peace were said during the service for Middleton soldier Lee Rigby.

The service was led by the Vicar of Oldham, the Rev Derek Palmer, assisted by the Rev Jean Hurlston. Oldham Imam Qari Shafiq Ur Rehman gave a reading from the Quran.

Ann Sykes, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Charlie Parker, chief executive of Oldham Council, each read a lesson, and the Mayor’s chaplain, Canon John Sykes, gave the sermon.

Young People from Oldham Music Centre accompanied the hymns and Boarshurst Silver Band led the procession back to the Civic Centre.

Councillor Hudson said afterwards: “The weather was superb, everyone who was invited came, and we all had a lovely time. You are only Mayor once and I intend to do as much as I can..”

The new Mayor was made an honorary church warden for his year of office — a long-standing tradition in Oldham.