New mayor of Austerlands appointed

A quirky 70-year-old tradition has soared to new heights with a former RAF squadron leader as the new Mayor of Austerlands.

Austerlands resident Robert Knotts continued a long-standing tradition when he was appointed as the new mayor during a special ceremony at the Spinners Arms, Woodbrook. 

Ex-mayor Roger Fielding – complete with red tailcoat and white bow tie – conducted formal proceedings as retiring mayor, Paul Sykes, passed on the ceremonial clog-iron chain of office.

The historic tradition dates back to the 1950s with the clog-iron first being introduced in the late 1970s.

Mr Knotts will be the 24^th mayor since the custom was reintroduced in 1998 after the discovery of the original clog-iron behind a beer barrel at the village’s former Red Lion pub on Huddersfield Road.

Pictured above; Former mayors. 

Robert, a former Chairman of the Saddleworth Parish Council, known for his community activism and intricate woodcarving. He has led efforts to secure local green spaces like Dawson's Field and creates festive wood carvings, often exhibiting them locally. 

He is a retired RAF squadron leader, a former university lecturer in mechanical engineering, and a previous chair of the worldwide Airship Association.

A keen woodcarver for over 40 years, he creates intricate nativity scenes and Santa figures, often described as running a "Father Christmas workshop" in his home.

He is an accomplished cartoonist, operating under the pen name of Arkay, who possesses a blend of artistic skill with an ability to produce humorous, satirical and thought provoking sketches.

As a Parish Councillor for Higher Springhead, he played a major role in securing a 12-month licence to protect Dawson’s Field for community use and the Whit Friday Band Contest. His ceremonial duties will include leading up the first band at the annual Whitsuntide festival of brass band music.

Robert has long been active in the Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group and is currently its temporary chair.

With his acceptance of the clog-iron chain he becomes the civic-head of Oldham’s smallest municipality. Mr Sykes received a ribbon & mini clog-iron on his retirement and the occasion was witnessed by 11 former Austerlands mayors wearing theirs.

A Welshman by birth, Robert was presented with a Saddleworth White Rose Society’s flower emblem tie –  conferring on him the honorary status of a Yorkshireman.