Councillor enjoys double honour

The Mayor of Oldham honours John Hudson for his time served on Saddleworh Parish council. Pic shows, L/R, Pam Byrne, chairman of Saddleworth Parish council, Kathleen Hudson, Mayor of Oldham, Derek Heffernan , John Hudson.

A COLOURFUL Conservative councillor who has given 40 years of loyal service to Saddleworth has been honoured by having a new suite named in after him at Uppermill Civic Hall.

The second-floor suite will bear the plaque The Hudson Suite.

The secret was revealed when Councillor John Hudson, a former mayor of Oldham and a councillor on both the borough and the parish councils, was fêted at a glittering surprise dinner in honour of his continuous service.

More than 120 guests heard tributes paid to him by Dr David Atherton - a former council colleague - and Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester John Battye, a former mayor of Oldham and old friend.

Mr Battye said John had raised more than £150,000 for local charities during his four terms as chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council and the highlight of John and his wife Kathleen's public lives was when they were mayor and mayoress of Oldham in 2015/16.

Mr Battye also read out two letters Cllr Hudson received from Prime Minister Teresa May. One congratulated him on his re-election to Oldham Council at a time he was battling cancer and the second congratulating his 40 years as a parish councillor.

Mr Battye said: "Teresa May has sent one letter to Donald Tusk, president of the European Union, but John Hudson has received two!"


Recollections

And he recalled John Hudson's first election address in October 1962.

He said: "John, aged 21, stood in Uppermill Ward. His leaflet was headed: 'Give Youth a Chance - Hudson for Uppermill'. John was unsuccessful, losing to Ernest Windle, the Liberal."

Cllr Hudson was presented with an illuminated citation, which will hang in the Council Chamber and a carved sign.

Event organiser Pam Byrne said: "Everything stayed a very well-kept secret, including that the suite should be named after him. John was almost speechless, but recovered enough to respond to the honour."

Alongside the plaque, there is a framed dedication. Another citation proclaiming John's long service will be hung in the Council Chamber downstairs, alongside those marking 30 years by Jack Hood and 29 by Charles Hopkinson.

Cllr Hudson said: "I was overwhelmed. In all my lifetime there have not been many occasions I have been lost for words. I was very emotional.

"When I think of all the people that have done wonderful things for the public life of Saddleworth, it is such a big honour to be counted among them.

"It was a great turnout and it meant a lot to me to see people coming from all over, or some who have not been to events for many years.

"I take my hat off to Pam Byrne and Pam Bailey the clerk for not only making the room look so nice but also getting in such a good mix of people for a wonderful evening."

Cllr Hudson added: "I always listened to what my grandma told me - don't fall out with anything over religion or politics.

"It is about doing the right thing for Saddleworth, regardless of your beliefs.

"The nicest thing I have done is build up a good connection between the mayor of Oldham and the Saddleworth Parish Council. You achieve more working together than divided."