Hucknall Councillor reveals recent cancer battle and celebrates receiving the all clear

A Hucknall Councillor, who unbeknown to his constituents has battled cancer for the last seven months, has received the all clear and is in remission after finishing an intensive course of chemotherapy earlier this month.

Councillor Jim Blagden, who represents Hucknall Central on Ashfield District Council for the Ashfield Independents, was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2021.

His first thought was for his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years Sheila, his family, and his residents of Hucknall.

Councillor Blagden, 72 a former First Aid Instructor at St John's Ambulance and a former caretaker at Spring Street School, Ogle Street, Hucknall said: "When you get told you've got cancer – it's obviously a blow. My Grandson had been diagnosed with cancer during lockdown. Aaron sadly died at just 27, leaving his wife and my great- granddaughter.

"When I received the leukaemia diagnosis – I had to think of my family and what they'd already gone through. I didn't want a fuss – I only told Ashfield's Council Leader Jason Zadrozny and our team of Ashfield Independents because my busy chemotherapy sessions meant I had to miss meetings.

"I literally turned the waiting room at City Hospital, Nottingham into my council office. Sometimes, I was sat on a drip taking phone calls from residents asking me (to) sort out fly-tipping, problems with anti-social behaviour and concerns about enforced Government housing targets. I did this three times a week for 18 weeks.

"I never told a single constituent I had cancer – they had their problems, and it was my job to deal with their problems – not burden them with mine.

"I'd like to thank NHS staff – they have been marvellous. When I rang that bell – I rang it for Sheila – after all these years of marriage – we're still like teenagers. I rang it for my family who had suffered enough from cancer issues. I rang it for my grandson. I rang it for every patient who is still going through the cancer journey. I rang it through Hucknall."

Ashfield Council Leader Jason Zadrozny said: "Jim is an inspiration. He has been fighting cancer and at the same time as continuing to fight for Hucknall. I look forward to continuing working with Jim – I'm delighted he has received the all clear."