A poppy wreath from the borough mayor's office will be laid at the Remembrace Sunday service at Oldham’s oldest war memorial after a "misunderstanding". 

David Needham, who arranges the Austerlands Remembrance Sunday event, had asked for the wreath at this month’s community event.

Outlining the background, he said that in 1979 women on the committee of the Austerlands Village Improvement Association cleaned the village’s war memorial in advance of Remembrance Sunday and set up an informal residents gathering to remember and respect the loss of lives in all conflicts. 

“This has continued ever since, and last year more than 100 people attended to pay their respect, “ he said.

“In 2021, wreaths were placed on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, the mayor of Austerlands, Saddleworth Parish Council, Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group, North West Ambulance Service and Blind Veterans UK.

“As the event organiser for a number of years and one of the original members of the Austerlands Village Improvement Association it occurred to me we have never received a wreath on behalf of the mayor of Oldham.  

“Accordingly I wrote to the mayor’s office asking what the procedure is to rectify this situation,” he said.

But a written response from the council’s legal and democratic services said: “Representatives of the mayor lay wreaths at seven  locations in the borough including two in Saddleworth and one in Lees. 

"These locations have been used for many years and we are unable to add others. 

“Representative councillors are alternated from the ward areas for each location every year which again is historic policy and procedure.

"We are aware of other services happening in the borough but unfortunately cannot attend them all.”

Mr Needham added: “It is only in recent years we have persuaded the Church of England to take part in our remembrance service and the event is recognised by some as an alternative to the service for at Pots and Pans. Particularly for people who may struggle to attend.

“All I was asking for was a wreath to be sent on behalf of the mayor of Oldham.

"We are not necessarily asking for a representative to place it, although one would be very welcome. We simply asked for a wreath to be sent.

"I am more than surprised and disappointed that the request has been denied.”

He added: “I am more than surprised we have been turned down.

"It seems the fallen men of our district are good enough to be respected by the late Queen Elizabeth II but not by the mayor's office.”

Retired RAF squadron leader Rob Knotts, a Saddleworth Parish councillor living in Austerlands, wrote to the mayor, Cllr Elaine Garry, in support of Mr Needham’s request. 

He said: “While it is fully appreciated the mayor cannot be present on the day it was suggested a representative, possibly a borough councillor, could place a wreath on the mayor's behalf.

“Sadly, a mayoral office official has turned down the opportunity.

"Feelings of rejection are disappointing with perceptions the fallen men of our district are good enough to be respected by the late Queen Elizabeth II but not by Oldham mayor's Office. 

“My father served throughout the First World War. I am a veteran of the Royal Air Force with 33 years’ service.

"Many others in our community have served in the armed forces or have relatives who have done so. 

“I do respectfully and sincerely ask the mayoral office to reconsider its position to honour those who served and fell in both world wars and to respect the feelings of the community.”

But the head of democratic services has now confirmed that a wreath will be laid on behalf of the mayor.

Responding to Cllr Knotts, a spokesperson said: “There may have been some misunderstanding on our behalf in relation to the wreath-laying.

“The services which take place around the borough supported by the Royal British Legion have been agreed for a number of years and these take place in conjunction with other services around the borough.

“We can of course provide a wreath for the ceremony and Cllr Pam  Byrne has kindly agreed to attend and lay the wreath. 

"I hope this rectifies this initial misunderstanding.”