Mayor's Blog
Mayoral Blog 2008/09
Councillor Jack Davis
Welcome to the official Blog of the Civic Mayor of Tameside
A Blog (or a Weblog) is an online journal/diary which is frequently updated with the author's thoughts and comments, and is intended for the general public to view.
Carole and I took time off from our Mayoral duties from the 18th to 27th August 2008. Although we didn’t get away, we did enjoy days out and spending time at home recharging our batteries.
Our official duties recommenced on Thursday 28th August with a Citizenship Ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall.
On Friday, we attended the afternoon session, prize giving and closing ceremony of the 2008 North West Street Games Festival. The event was held at Sportcity and more than 1000 young people representing 15 authorities across the North West took part. The competition gives young people from some of the most deprived communities in the region the opportunity to participate in a major sporting event. It was a fabulous day and Carole and I were pleased to be able to attend and to cheer on the young people representing Tameside.
There were no engagements on Saturday but on Sunday we joined Tameside Churches Together for the annual “Hope Tameside” event in Stamford Park and then we shared a very pleasant afternoon with the residents of Kingsfield Care Home in Ashton. Carole and I had expressed an interest in visiting some of the care homes in the borough and were invited to attend a Garden Party and Cream Tea at Kingsfield. It was lovely to have the opportunity to meet the residents, their families and the staff who care for them.
That’s all for this week. I hope you will join me next time.
Best wishes.
Due to the summer holidays, engagements are a lot quieter at the moment.
This week my official Mayoral duties didn't start until Wednesday when the Mayoress and I entertained residents from Ryefield Sheltered Housing Accommodation in the Mayor's Parlour. We had a lovely afternoon and our guests thoroughly enjoyed their visit.
On Thursday, it was my pleasure to formally welcome the Britain in Bloom Judges to Tameside and to wish them a good day as they set on their tour of the Borough. Once again, the towns of Tameside look at their very best thanks to the hard work of the 'In Bloom' Team and hopefully their efforts will be recognised and rewarded in the competition.
There were no engagements on Friday but on Saturday, Carole and I attended the Mossley Music Festival at Smithy Farm in Mossley. The evening was very successful, initially with fine weather, a good turn out of people and a wealth of talent on show. My congratulations and thanks go to the Members of the Mossley Festival Association for their hard work in organising the event and for a very enjoyable evening.
On Sunday morning, Carole and I joined representatives of the local Indian community at the Community Centre on Union Road to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Raksha Bandhan - a celebration of brotherhood and love. Friendship bracelets were tied around our wrists and in return we presented Indian sweets and offered our good wishes for happiness and prosperity. It was a lovely occasion and we felt very honoured to be included in the celebration.
Sadly, the Mottram Annual Agricultural Show had to be cancelled again this year due to the ground conditions. Carole and I usually attend this event privately but were really looking forward to being there as Mayor and Mayoress. We now look forward to attending the Mottram Spring Show next year.
Carole and I are taking some time off next week so there will be no Mayoral Blog. However, we hope you will catch up with us again after the summer break.
Take care and I hope to see you soon.
Best wishes.
On Monday morning it was my pleasure to officially open the new DebRA Charity Shop in Clarendon Mall, Hyde.
DebRA is a national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). DebRA shops are an important part of the charity’s fundraising efforts and I was pleased to be able to lend my support and to offer good wishes as the shop opened its doors for business.
On Tuesday afternoon, Carole and I welcomed a small group of residents to the Town Hall from Leesfield Sheltered Housing Scheme in Ashton.
In my inauguration speech I stated that I was particularly looking forward to meeting some of the more senior citizens of the Borough and therefore it was really very nice to have this opportunity to welcome guests from Leesfield to the Town Hall. We had a good chat and enjoyed tea and cakes together. Next week we will be meeting residents from Ryefield Sheltered Housing Scheme.
Although there were no Mayoral engagements on Wednesday and Thursday, I did have business meetings to attend.
On Friday, Carole and I had a wonderful day welcoming all the Civic Heads of Greater Manchester to Tameside.
It was our chance to 'show off' the Borough and our guests were suitably impressed.
The day started at Portland Basin Museum and then we boarded a narrowboat for a short journey along the canal to Hyde.
We then travelled by coach to Ashton Town Hall for lunch and a guided tour of Setantii Visitor Centre and the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.
I am pleased to say the weather stayed fine and the Borough of Tameside looked at its very best. Carole and I now look forward to reciprocal visits in the coming months to some of the other cities and boroughs in the County.
There were no engagements over the weekend, so Carole and I enjoyed spending time at home and catching up with our family and friends.
That's all for this week. Please join me next time.
Best wishes.