Mayor's Blog December 2008
Mayoral Blog 2008/09
Councillor Jack Davis
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Engagements this week started on Monday with a visit to the Town Hall by Councillor Mukesh Patel from Gujarat in India.
Councillor Patel is staying with relatives in Ashton and expressed an interest in visiting the Town Hall whilst he was here.
It was a very interesting visit for us both and it was good to be able to ‘show off’ our beautiful Town Hall once again.
Later, Carole and I welcomed a second group of guests from St Peter’s Partnerships in order to say thank you and well done for the work they do in the area.
On Tuesday morning, we were pleased to host a visit by a group of children from Holy Trinity Primary School in Ashton. The children entertained us beautifully with their singing and they really seemed to enjoy the tour of the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber.
On Wednesday evening, Carole and I attended the Annual Brigade Carol Service at St Ann’s Church in Manchester at the invitation of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. 
It was a lovely evening and we were delighted to represent the Borough at this event.
On Thursday night, we joined the Chair and Members of Hyde District Assembly for a Christmas Concert at Hyde Town Hall. It was a fabulous night featuring festive entertainment from The Houghton Weavers and Mossley Band.
We had no Mayoral engagements on Friday due to a medical appointment and on Saturday we were able to take some time off to prepare for Christmas.
It was back to business on Sunday and we had a great day with members of the Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club delivering biscuits to residents of some of the Borough’s elderly persons homes. It was quite a sight to see the classic cars travelling in convoy and it was good to bring a little Christmas cheer.
On Monday, Carole and I conducted our final Mayoral engagements before Christmas.
At lunchtime we attended a very special event at Dukinfield Town Hall to celebrate the success of the children’s centres in Ashton. As a strong supporter of Sure Start St Peter’s, I have been thrilled to see the development of the children’s centres and to witness their success. This event was the perfect opportunity to say well done and thank you to everybody involved.
Later, Carole and I travelled over to Salford Cathedral to join the Mayor and Mayoress at the City’s Annual Carol Service. The event was extremely moving and very well organised and it was a lovely way to round off our engagements for 2008.
Well it’s almost here and with that in mind, this will be my last blog until the New Year.
I wish everybody well for the festive season. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2009.
I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Best wishes
After such a busy weekend in France, Carole and I were pleased to have the opportunity to take a couple of days off at the start of the week.
Our official duties didn’t start until Thursday when we attended a Thank You event for the Council’s “In Bloom” Partners at Dukinfield Town Hall. From here, we travelled to Ashton Town Hall to welcome staff and volunteers from St Peter’s Partnerships to the Mayor’s Parlour. It was our way of saying thank you for the work they do and also allowed us the opportunity to offer Seasons Greetings. Unfortunately, there are too many people involved with the Partnerships to have them all in at once but we do have a second group joining us next week.
On Friday, Carole and I attended the funeral of our friend and colleague, Councillor Margaret Oldham. It was a very sad day and my heart went out to the Leader and his son John. There were hundreds of people in attendance to pay their respects to one of Tameside’s most accomplished and well respected Councillors.
Later, we attended a Citizenship Ceremony at Ashton Town Hall.
On Saturday afternoon, Carole and I attended the Willow Wood Hospice “Light up a Life” Service at Albion Church in Ashton.
On Sunday, we were invited to join a Community Carol Service at Yew Community Centre in Denton and later we attended the Annual Festival of Christmas Music at Dukinfield Town Hall. Each year the Yew Tree Singers and the Adamson Military Band come together to put on a Christmas Concert free of charge for the people of the town. It was a lovely evening and during the interval there was a collection for my Charity Appeal Fund.
And that brings another week to a close. I hope all your preparations for Christmas are going well – it’ll soon be here you know!
Take care and I’ll see you next time.
Regards.
The week started on a very sad note as we heard about the sudden and tragic loss of our friend and colleague, Councillor Margaret Oldham. Although Margaret has been poorly for some time, her death was a terrible shock and my thoughts and prayers are with the Leader, his son, John and their family at this difficult time.
Margaret’s funeral is to be held on Friday 12th December.
On Monday evening, Carole and I were invited to the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony in Hattersley. It was a bitterly cold night but still the local community came out in force to help welcome in the festive season.
On Tuesday morning, I think we all woke up to snow. As a result of the bad weather my evening engagement, The Hulme Grammar School Speech Night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall was cancelled, but earlier in the day I was still able to call in at Textures Hair Design in Droylsden to help celebrate the re-launch of the salon.
On Wednesday evening, Carole and I attended the Annual Evening of Achievement for Tameside Youth Service. We were delighted to be able to support this event at Dukinfield Town Hall and to acknowledge the success of the Borough’s young people.
On Thursday evening, I felt very honoured to be invited to switch on the Christmas tree lights outside my home in Cavendish Mill. The tree looks beautiful in the courtyard and I would like to thank New Charter Housing Trust for the efforts they have made to brighten up the mill for the festive season.
Later, Carole and I were pleased to welcome the St Peter’s Youth Team (SPY) to the Town Hall. The evening gave me the opportunity to express my thanks to the staff and volunteers for the time and commitment they give to the young people in St Peter’s Ward and to reassure them that their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Early on Friday morning, Carole and I, accompanied by our Attendants, David and Peter, set off in the Mayoral car to France to visit Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Denton’s twin town just outside Paris.
We had been invited by the Mayor of Montigny to attend the town’s annual Christmas Market. Representatives of Montigny’s other twin towns in Italy and Germany were also present and they, along with members of the Denton Twinning Association, took part in the market and sold their local produce.
I must say the M & S mince pies and Christmas puddings went down a storm!
We had a fabulous weekend and it was good to see our friends from Montigny once again and to help reinforce the wonderful twinning links shared by the two towns.
And that brings another week to an end. Just over two weeks to go to Christmas everyone!
Take care and I’ll see you next time.
Best wishes.