SADDLEWORTH is in mourning after the death of community champion and former councillor Derek Heffernan.

Mr Heffernan was elected to Saddleworth Parish Council in May 1987 and served until he was removed in 2018. He was chairman in 1992-93 and 1999-2000.

Elected to Oldham Council in May 1995, he served on many committees and represented OMBC on a number of outside bodies; GM Fire and Rescue Authority from 2002 until the authority was disbanded by the mayor in 2017, GM Pension Fund, and both the Pennine Care and Pennine Acute Joint Overview and Scrutiny Boards.

Speaking last year he said: “During that time I have enjoyed good relationships with almost all officers and members across the political scene.

“You cannot be best friends with everyone. I thank everyone for their friendship and support. I particularly want to thank my colleagues in the Liberal Democrats, both elected members and supporters, for their help and support.

“They helped me to get elected and re-elected for all these years.

“Thank you to the electors of Saddleworth West up to 2004 and Saddleworth North since then. I hope that you feel that I have served you well.

“You may disagree with some of my decisions but I had to represent just under 8,000 people."

He was honoured to be elected Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough in May 2016.

Earlier this year, he said: “Unfortunately my wife and Mayoress, Di, fell and broke her hip on holiday and was not able to support me from November to the end of my term in May 2017. That took some gloss off the year but I still have many great memories.

“I met so many wonderful people in that year; people who work diligently for others in Oldham. They do it without looking for payment or any other reward.

“The phrase ‘The Salt of the Earth’ is inadequate to describe these people; our friends and neighbours. They are the spirit which makes Oldham the place it is. My heartfelt thanks go out to them."

Earlier this year, Mr Heffernan made an emotional return to a community who had taken him to its heart to receive a special accolade.

He received praise and a huge warm welcome at his unique inauguration as Mayor of Austerlands.

The event marked a hat trick of civic titles for Mr Heffernan who had been a mayor of Oldham and past chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council.

The popular councillor became the community’s 20th mayor since the custom was reintroduced in 1998 after the discovery of the old clog iron in the village’s former Red Lion pub.

This year’s ceremony at the Old Original, Scouthead, was attended by a galaxy of former Austerlands mayors and Mr Heffernan came with his son, Andrewl.

He said: “I was overwhelmed. It was wonderful to be welcomed back into the Austerlands community which I was sorry to leave 20 months ago.

“I felt everyone wanted to recognise what I have done over the years. It felt very personal. I was delighted to be part of the."

And in keeping with his role, he lead the first band to play at the opening of the Whit Friday brass band contest at Scouthead this year.

The funeral will be held at Waterhead Parish Church on Monday January 6 at noon and committal will be at Oldham Crematorium at 1.30pm.