Mayor's Blog - August 2007
Mayoral Blog 2007/08
Councillor Michael Smith
Following the Bank Holiday, Teresa and I started our Mayoral engagements on Tuesday evening when we were invited to take part in the Hindu Festival Raksha Bandhan at the Indian Community Centre on Union Road in Ashton.
It was a lovely evening and we felt very honoured to be present at such an important festival to celebrate brotherhood and love.
On Thursday evening, Teresa and I welcomed guests from Denton West to the Mayor's Parlour.
On Friday, I attended a turf cutting ceremony to mark the start of work on the new Ashton Primary Care Centre at St Petersfield before proceeding to the North West Street Games Festival at the City of Manchester Stadium to lend my support and to cheer on a team of young people from Hattersley.
On Saturday, Teresa and I attended a 'Shred It' event at Wellington Parade in Dukinfield. The event was a joint initiative run by the Central Estate Residents Action Group and New Charter Housing Trust and was aimed at highlighting issues surrounding identity fraud and recycling. From here, we quickly moved over to Ashton to attend a Family History Exhibition at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints before coming back to Dukinfield for the Licensing and Induction of the new Priest in Charge at St Mark's Church.
On Sunday, we attended the 91st Anniversary Service of Broughton House Home for Ex-Service Personnel. The service was held at St Paul 's Church, Kersal and then we were invited back to Broughton House to join residents for tea and biscuits.
It has been another enjoyable and memorable week and Teresa and I would like to thank everybody who has helped make it so special.
See you next time.
Again it has been a quiet week due to summer holidays but still enjoyable.
On Wednesday, Teresa and I attended a Citizenship Ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall. It was a pleasure to formally welcome the Borough's new citizens and to present them with certificates. From here we quickly dashed over to Denton for the re-opening of Yew Tree Community Centre.
Major refurbishment work has taken place both inside and out and the building has been transformed. I was honoured to officially re-open the centre and to meet the people involved.
On Friday, Teresa and I attended a Summer Activity Day at Blocksages Youth Club in Dukinfield. We were over at Blocksages quite recently but it was good to meet up with the young people again and to see them enjoying the activities on offer.
That's all for this week.
See you next time.
I can't believe we are at the end of another week, the time is just flying by.
This week was a little quieter due to summer holidays.
On Monday evening, Teresa and I welcomed to the Mayor's Parlour representatives of Droylsden Youth Centre. Alan Bradbury and his team have worked tirelessly over the years for the young people of Droylsden and I was pleased to be able to have this opportunity to say thank you and well done.
During their year in office, the Civic Mayor of Tameside traditionally takes on the role of Honorary President of the Tameside and District Ex-Services Association. The organisation meets once a month at the Irish Club in Ashton and I was pleased to be able to attend the group's meeting on Wednesday. The Association was founded in the year 2000 and its main aim is to raise money for Ex-Services Organisations and other good causes. It was a pleasure to attend the meeting to show my support and to thank the members for their efforts.
On Thursday, Teresa and I attended an Open Air Fundraising Concert at Davenport Green Hall in Hale Barns at the invitation of Rotary International. It was a great evening despite the uncertain weather and we were entertained by the Pakistan (Scottish style) Pipe Band and the Greater Manchester Police Male Voice Choir.
I'll sign off now
See you next time.
On Monday, I was very pleased to accept, on temporary loan to the Mayor's Parlour, a painting of Villemomble Square in Droylsden from Mrs Beryl Lee.
Mrs Lee painted the picture herself and has very kindly agreed to let me display the painting in the Mayor's Parlour during my year in office.
Teresa and I then proceeded to The Grange Community Resource Centre in Beswick in Manchester for the Annual RoadPeace Service of Remembrance. The service and laying of flowers is held in the RoadPeace Garden each year in memory of all road crash victims and particularly Jodie Webb and Joanne Greenwood who tragically died on 6th August 2000. It was a very moving service with a great deal of sadness and tears.
On Wednesday evening Teresa and I joined members of the Tameside Youth Service and young people from across the Borough who are involved in the Sk8aid Appeal - a community initiative with the aim to build a skate park in Stalybridge. The evening had been staged to raise awareness for the Sk8aid project and young people's issues. It was a fabulous night featuring local bands and an exhibition of work.
On Thursday evening, I welcomed representatives to the Mayor's Parlour of Rotary International and on Friday Teresa and I attended the eagerly awaited production of "Annie" at the Tameside Hippodrome.
You may recall last week I visited the Theatre's Summer Workshop to see the young people bringing the show together and preparing for their performances. It was wonderful to see the culmination of their hard work and the show was fantastic, they all did brilliantly and I was so pleased for them all.
On Saturday, Teresa and I joined The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes for the Ceremonial Investiture of John Booth as the Grand Chamberlain of the Grand Lodge of England. It was a very well organised event and an important day for John. Teresa and I were pleased to offer our support and to wish John the very best of luck in his new position.
Although August is traditionally a quiet time in the Mayor's Office due to summer holidays, we still have a number of functions to look forward to.
See you next time.