Mayoral Blog

Councillor Jean Brazil

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.

Week Commencing Monday 20 December 2010

Well Christmas is almost here and I hope you are all ready and eagerly looking forward to the festive season.

Mayoral engagements have been very quiet this week as our schools close and families prepare for the holidays.

Sydney and I have had just one official function this week and that was yesterday, Wednesday as we attended the unveiling of the Tameside World Cup Winners Bronze Sculpture at the newly named Roy Oldham Sports Village at Richmond Park in Ashton.

The sculpture, the last in the series of street art and statues that we have seen installed across all our towns in recent years, was unveiled by John Oldham, son of the late Councillor Roy Oldham, our former Executive Leader of the Council who sadly died earlier this year.

It was the last piece to be commissioned by Roy before his death and depicts local international world cup winning footballers. Roy was passionate about the sporting facilities and achievements of the Borough and this new statue, located on the sports village site which now bears his name, is a fitting and lasting tribute to his support and contributions to local sport.

There was laughter and tears as friends, family and colleagues gathered to remember Roy and to honour a very special man whom we all miss dearly.

And that brings my engagements for 2010 to a close. Thank you to everybody who has helped make this year so very special for Sydney and myself. We are grateful for the kindness, friendship and support that has been shown to us throughout the year and we look forward to continuing with our Mayoral duties in the New Year.

Take care and please have a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

See you soon.

Week Commencing Monday 13 December 2010

Things have quietened down a little bit this week as Christmas quickly approaches.

On Monday evening, Sydney and I joined the members of the Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club  at their Christmas Party at Stalybridge Labour Club. We had a super night and I was delighted to be asked to present a cheque, on behalf of the car club, to Macmillan Cancer Support  for monies raised throughout the year.

On Tuesday evening, we visited St Stephen’s Primary School  in Audenshaw for a wonderful performance of their Christmas play “Gentle Mary”. The children were fantastic and I can honestly say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

On Wednesday morning, I felt very honoured to be asked to cut the ribbon to officially open the new MedicX Community Pharmacy  at the Ashton Primary Care Centre  and on Thursday morning, I was pleased to visit Ashton Market Hall  and to take part in the launch event for ‘Take 7 Steps Out’  - a national campaign designed to protect children from cigarette smoke. From here, Sydney and I headed over to the Grafton Centre in Hyde for the annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party organised by the Members and officers of Hyde District Assembly.

Later, we attended a Citizenship Ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall before joining the Officers and Staff of the Greater Manchester Police Force  for their annual Carol Service at Manchester Cathedral .

On Friday, we spent a lovely morning with the children of Hawthorns Community School  as they performed their Nativity Show, it really brought home the true meaning of Christmas and, on Saturday, we had wonderful night at Hyde Town Hall at the Hyde District Assembly’s “Christmas Cracker Concert” with the Houghton Weavers .

On Sunday evening, we attended the Annual Festival of Christmas Music at Dukinfield Town Hall where we had a lovely evening with the very talented Yew Tree Singers and the rousing Adamson Military Band . The concert has run for many, many years in Dukinfield and it is a much loved feature in the town’s Christmas calendar of events.

And that’s it for another week.

Thank you for joining me. Keep warm and I hope to see you soon.

Best wishes.

Week Commencing Monday 6 December 2010

Hello everyone, well Christmas is almost upon us and the fun and festivities have well and truly begun.

This week has been filled with pantomimes, carol services and Christmas parties and it has been wonderful.

On Monday, we began the week by attending the Hyde District Assembly panto at Hyde Clarendon College . Funded by the DA and performed by students from the College, for the schoolchildren of Hyde, this production of “Mother Goose” was fantastic. The children had a ball and it was lovely to hear their laughter and to see their excitement and joy.

Afterwards, I visited Waterloo Children’s Centre for a Graduation Ceremony with volunteers from Little Angels Breastfeeding Support  and in the evening, I attended a beautiful carol service at the Bridgewater Hall  in Manchester at the invitation of CLIC Sargent , a charity who cares for children with cancer.

On Tuesday morning, Sydney and I attended a fun-filled performance of “Jack and the Beanstalk” at Hattersley Community Centre. Each year the Hattersley Forum Community Association stages a panto for the local schoolchildren and once again it was an absolute pleasure to see the children’s faces and to be a part of this special event.

In the evening, we joined members of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service  at St Ann’s Church in Manchester for their Annual Carol Service. It was a beautiful service and it was lovely to be able to show our support to our local fire officers and their families.

On Wednesday lunchtime, we returned to Hattersley Community Centre once again for the Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party and later it was my honour to host a Christmas Party at Ashton Town Hall for Tameside’s young carers.

We had a fabulous time and it was great to see these wonderful young people letting their hair down and having some fun.

The evening included a disco and games, Christmas cocktails and even a visit by Father Christmas himself! I am sure the young people enjoyed themselves and I hope this was just the start of a very happy Christmas for them all.

On Thursday afternoon, I continued with my series of receptions in the Mayor’s Parlour to acknowledge outstanding work and commitment by Council employees. This time, the Chief Executive and myself were joined by staff from ‘Corporate Services’ which includes the Borough Solicitor, Borough Treasurer and Executive Support Service Areas.

In the evening, Sydney and I visited the George Lawton Hall in Mossley for a wonderful performance of “Honk” at the invitation of Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society . Honk is based on the story of the Ugly Duckling. It is a lovely, family show and, as always, MAODS performed so well.

On Friday evening we were invited to a special Carol Concert at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  in Ashton. There was no admission charge to the event but instead guests were asked to take along an inexpensive gift for a needy child. The gifts were then to be distributed locally. It is a wonderful idea and I am sure it will help make a difference this Christmas.

There were no Mayoral engagements on Saturday but on Sunday, Sydney and I joined our friends from the Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club  as they distributed Christmas Boxes to residents in three of our local care centres. It was lovely to be able to visit the homes in a convoy of vintage and classic cars and to help spread a little Christmas cheer.

Later, we had a smashing night with the members of the Denton and District Inskip League at their annual Christmas Party. We all tucked in to a delicious meal at the Lowes Arms in Denton before enjoying the entertainment and a good old sing song!

At that brings another week to an end. What a memorable and enjoyable week it has been. Thank you to everybody who has made it such a special time, we really appreciate you kindness.

Thank you for joining me. I hope to see you again soon.

Best wishes.

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