Mayor's Blog April 2009
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.
Our Mayoral engagements began on Monday evening when Carole and I had the pleasure of welcoming some of our Home Start volunteers 
to the Mayor’s Parlour in order to say thank you and well done for their work with families in the Borough.
On Wednesday evening I travelled over to Oldham Athletic Football Club for the Manchester Premier Challenge Cup Final between Droylsden FC and Mossley FC . It was a good game of football in which Droylsden won 2 – 1. It was an honour to see two Tameside clubs in the final and my congratulations go to both teams for their success in the competition.
On Thursday afternoon Carole and I hosted two receptions in the Town Hall. First of all we welcomed the Deputy Mayor of Montigny-le-Bretonneux to the Mayor’s Parlour along with 5 modern apprentices from Tameside Council who will be heading off to France in August to work in Montigny for five weeks. Later we met a group of just over 30 students from Montigny. It is wonderful to see the twinning links between Montigny and Denton go from strength to strength and it has been a privilege this year to be part of these exchange visits.
On Thursday evening we welcomed to the Mayor’s Parlour representatives of the local Dystonia Support Group that Carole and I belong to. We have not been able to attend meetings this year because of our Mayoral commitments. It was good to be able to show our guests around the Town Hall and to explain exactly what we have been up to over the last 12 months.
Councillor Brian Wild and I arranged a visit to the Town Hall on Friday morning for children from Lyndhurst Primary School in Dukinfield. The visit included a tour of the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber where we even held a mini ballot to help explain about democratic processes. The children really seemed to enjoy the visit.
Our only engagement over the weekend was the Mottram Show on Sunday afternoon. Sadly, this event has had to be cancelled the last couple of years due to bad weather conditions, however I am delighted to say this year, the show went on. Carole and I had a lovely time, we do normally attend whenever possible but this year was extra special to us because we were able to go as Mayor and Mayoress. My sincere thanks and congratulations go to everybody involved.
And that brings another week to an end. Not many more to go now but we still have lots of events lined up and many occasions to look forward to.
I hope you can join me next time.
Best wishes.
Our Mayoral engagements began this week on Monday evening when Carole and I were invited to officially open the new community Salsa classes at West End Methodist Church Hall in Ashton. From here we travelled over to Ashton Town Hall to welcome ladies from the Longdendale Women’s Institute to the Mayor’s Parlour.
On Tuesday evening we attended Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation. The event was organised locally by the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester who joined the World Jewry in commemorating the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust.
On Wednesday, Carole and I spent a lovely afternoon with the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester and Tameside Police Officers and staff at the annual Long Service and Gallantry Awards. It was a pleasure to support the event and to be able to offer our congratulations to those people receiving awards for their loyal service, and acts of compassion and bravery.
Thursday was of course St George’s Day and once again, Carole and I were pleased to lead the Borough’s celebrations from the steps of Ashton Town Hall. Stilt walkers dressed in St George’s Day costume distributed red roses to members of the public on Ashton Market Ground and indeed in towns throughout the Borough and entertainment was provided by the Manchester Camerata Brass Ensemble.
Later, we were invited to attend a production of “Witchfinder, The Musical” by the Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. It looked to be a fantastic story set around the Pendle Witch Trials in the 17th century but unfortunately we had to leave after a short time so didn’t get to see very much of the show.
On Friday, we spent the day in Salford courtesy of the Mayor. The event was attended by Mayors and Mayoresses from across Greater Manchester and included visits to the city’s Museum and Art Gallery, The Lowry and the Working Class Movement Library.
On Saturday morning we were invited to attend the official opening of the new Middleton Arena with special guest Sir Steve Redgrave. It was a very impressive venue that will host a wide range of events including concerts and dances, theatrical performances, meeting and conferences, exhibitions, presentations and banqueting as well as providing a state of the art fitness centre and pool.
From here, Carole and I joined members of the St Peter’s Social Club in Stalybridge for the Annual Over 60’s Party at Stalybridge Civic Hall. We had a smashing night with a lovely meal, excellent company and entertainment to follow.
On Sunday afternoon we attended the 2nd annual St George’s Day Service at Manchester Cathedral at the invitation of The Royal Society of St George (Greater Manchester). Once again, Carole and I were proud to support an event that recognised and honoured our country’s Patron Saint.
To round the week off, on Sunday evening we attended a concert at Albion United Reformed Church presented by the Halifax Choral Society . The event had been organised as part of the Council’s 2009 Music Festival and provided yet another splendid evening of classical music.
Well that’s it for this week.
Please join me again next time.
Following the Bank Holiday Monday, I was straight back into work on Tuesday with a meeting of Full Council. This was actually my last full meeting as Civic Mayor as I do of course hand over my chain of office at the Annual Meeting which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 19th May 2009.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Wednesday but on Thursday Carole and I, along with the other Mayors and Mayoresses of Greater Manchester, enjoyed a day in Wigan at the invitation of the Mayor. It was a very interesting day and we enjoyed visiting some the town’s attractions including Robin Park, Haigh Hall and Wigan Parish Church.
On Friday we attended a Citizenship Ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall before visiting Ashton Photographic Society’s annual exhibition at Hurst Community Centre.
On Saturday we were felt very honoured to be part of the Borough’s St George’s Day celebrations in Ashton Town Centre. It was a wonderful occasion which included a parade led by a giant smoke-breathing dragon, live music and street theatre. This is the seventh year that Tameside Council has publicly celebrated St George’s Day. The Council is proud to recognise our Patron Saint and to support the national campaign to make St George’s Day a public holiday in England.
On Sunday morning Carole and I visited a fascinating Model Rail and Transport Show at Astley Sports College at the invitation of the Tame Valley District Scouts. This is the 16th exhibition that the scouts have organised since 1983 and it is used as a fundraiser for the group to help subsidise the activities of the young people including international events and expeditions. It really is worth a visit if you get the opportunity next time around.
From here we headed down the road to Dukinfield Town Hall for a rousing concert by the Black Dyke Band. The event was the second in a series of concerts organised as part of the 2009 Tameside Music Festival and it really was a fantastic afternoon.
And that brings another week to an end, the year is just flying by!
I hope you can join me next time.
All the best.
Well things were very quiet last week due to the Easter holidays. In fact we only had one Mayoral engagement all week.
On Tuesday evening, Carole and I attended a very special service at Salford Cathedral to celebrate the work of the Police in Greater Manchester. The event had been organised at the request of the Chief Constable, Mr Peter Fahy. It was a lovely service and we were pleased to lend our support and to represent the Borough of Tameside.
Carole and I thoroughly enjoyed the Easter break. It was good to be able to relax and spend some time at home and also to enjoy this wonderful weather.
We hope you enjoyed the break too.
See you next time.
Best wishes.