“Proud to serve the residents”: Former Mayor Derek Heffernan

Earlier this year, in a frank interview with journalist  Ken Bennett, the colourful councillor outlined his life devoted to the Saddleworth community.

 He said, “I was elected to Saddleworth Parish Council in May 1987 and served until I was removed in 2018. I was Chairman in 1992-93 and 1999-2000. 

“I have been proud to serve the residents of Higher Springhead Ward for those 31 years and remember my two opportunities to serve as Chairman especially the Millennium year. 

“We saw in the new century in the Lower Hall because the Ballroom was being refurbished. 40 people enjoyed themselves having paid £10 each for all their food and one drink each. The Chairman’s Charity profited by £400.

“Elected to Oldham Council in May 1995 I have 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 Elected Mayor in 2017, GM Pension Fund, both the Pennine Care and Pennine Acute Joint Overview and Scrutiny Boards.

“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 8000 people.

“I was honoured to be elected Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough in May 2016. That was a fantastic year for me. 

“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.

“In November 2015 I was appointed Peace Champion for the Borough. We had signed the European Declaration for Peace in July that year. I became the U.K.s first elected Mayor for Peace in May 2016. 

“I took the message out. Oldham did not believe that war was the way to solve disputes. As Winston Churchill had said “Jaw Jaw is better than War War”.

I would like to thank Richard Outram and Maria Ellis for their supporting me as Champion for Peace.

“Finally I need to thank my Family and Friends for their support, especially my wife, Di. They have put up with my passions and my eccentricities.

My thanks to everyone. It will be a wrench to leave but I feel the time has come.”

But earlier this year,  Derek made an emotional return to a community who had taken him to its heart to receive a special accolade.

Bearded Derek 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 Derek 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 Derek came with his son, Andrew, as his wife Diane could not be present  thorough circumstances beyond their control. 

Derek 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 

“Being allowed to represent the village and Saddleworth North has been a honour and being  presented with the Clog Iron completed a great trio of medals that I have been privileged to wear. I am proud to be part of the great community tradition."

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