A FORMER Mayor of Oldham is upset after wreaths were removed from a tiny roadside war memorial by the council.

Veteran councillor Derek Heffernan is seeking answers after he discovered the floral tribute at Austerlands War Memorial was missing.

He said after the memorial was “abandoned” 40 years ago villagers came together to ensure the soldiers would be

always remembered.

“For many years I was responsible for arranging the wreath and I regularly examined it for wear and tear accepting the position of the memorial on the edge of the A62 Oldham Huddersfield Road mean wreaths suffered extra damage.

“No wreath was left on the memorial which could result in complaints. This also included the crosses individuals had placed to remember family members.”

And local memorial stalwart David Needham said: “Austerlands wreaths have been removed, in my opinion, too early. The same thing happened last year without any consultation.

“I appreciate when poppy wreaths become weather worn they clearly need to be removed but there appears to be no published guidelines as to when this should take place.

“We have been organising informal gatherings on Remembrance Sunday in Austerlands since 1979 and so have always taken the responsibility upon ourselves to remove the wreaths when they do become weather worn.

“Perhaps Oldham Council should discuss the timing of wreath removal with the British Legion and publish the outcome?”

Cllr Rob Knotts, chair of Saddleworth Parish council, who lives in Austerlands, added: “The wreaths are laid to honour the fallen. Their hurried removal is disrespectful.”

In Uppermill, wreaths placed at the memorial in St Chad’s gardens in November by the RBL branch and local groups and organisations to mark Armistice Day were removed on January 24.

One former military man said: “It seems strange driving round other parts of the north seeing wreaths adding a touch of colour and rekindling memories of those who died but none locally.”

They were taken by Oldham Council in line with their Wreaths & Tributes – Respectful Removal Agreement.

Paul Byrne, the authority’s environmental manager, explained: “Wreaths and poppies placed around war memorials will remain in place for a maximum of 60 days.

“The agreement was published and went live in September 2017.”

And a spokesman for Oldham Council added: “This action was put in place more than two years ago and others councils across Greater Manchester do the same.”

Final word from Cllr Heffernan, Oldham’s ambassador for peace: “This policy needs to be made clear to the citizens of Oldham who remember and respect the fallen of all conflicts.

“We remember for more than one day ... Remembrance Sunday, or 60 days, but all the year through.”