Mayoral Blog 2008/09

To start the week off, Carole and I attended the Rotary Club of Ashton’s 74th Anniversary Charter Dinner on Monday evening at the Portland Bistro.

We were glad to be able to support the club on this important occasion and to have the opportunity to say thank you and well done to the members for the work undertaken within our local community.

On Tuesday evening, I chaired a meeting of Full Council. It was in fact the final Council Meeting for our Chief Executive, Janet Callender, who announced a few months ago that she will be leaving the authority at the end of March. Janet has brought a tremendous amount of passion and commitment to her work and this has contributed significantly to what has been an unprecedented period of success for the Borough. We will all miss her. There were several tributes paid to Janet during the meeting and all Members joined me in wishing her well for the future.

On Wednesday morning I had a very interesting visit to Starchaser Industries in Hyde. Starchaser is a privately held, high technology group of companies that specialises in the development, operation and commercialisation of space related products. During the morning I met the management and staff and was even given the opportunity to launch an air-powered rocket and to sample space ice cream! My thanks go to the Chief Executive and Founder of Starchaser Industries, Steve Bennett and his team for their kind hospitality and for making the visit so enjoyable.

On Wednesday afternoon I attended a Board Meeting in the Council Offices before Carole and I visited an Opening Evening at a Madrassa, a Muslim supplementary school, based at Holy Trinity Community Centre in Ashton. The evening had been organised to display the children’s work and to celebrate their success.

From here, we called in at Dukinfield Swimming Pool to take part in a photocall and cheque presentation with the Dolphin Divers Snorkelling Club. The club, which is based at Dukinfield Pool, has recently been awarded a grant of £9500 from Awards for All and also £5109 from Comic Relief.  In addition, it has achieved Clubmark accreditation by the British Sub Aqua Club  on behalf of Sport England. I was delighted to make the formal presentations to club members and to congratulate them on their success.

On Thursday morning, I was invited to join the morning assembly at St Paul’s Primary School in Stalybridge. The School Cook, Debbie Carter recently came a magnificent second place in a national competition during British Sausage Week. Debbie, aided by her Assistant Cook, Stephanie Thorp, had to prepare and produce a nutritious sausage based school meal. Debbie’s meal was judged as second best out of 61 entries. I was pleased to visit the school to present Debbie with her prize of a £50 Argos voucher (which she will share with Stephanie), a microscope for the school to the value of £100 plus a framed certificate and medal. The prize also included a donation of £50 to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Following the assembly I was given a tour of the school by the Headteacher, Mrs Hand and there was also an opportunity to answer some questions from the children about my role as Civic Mayor.

From here, Carole and I travelled over to Hyde Town Hall for the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in honour of Corporal Kenneth Horsfield GC. Corporal Horsfield served in the 9th Battalion The Manchester Regiment. He was seconded to the SAS and was the only Tameside citizen to be awarded the George Cross, the highest award for conspicuous courage out of battle. He received the award following his gallant rescue efforts that resulted in his own loss of life in Italy in 1944. Councillor Jackie Lane, Project Head for Heritage unveiled the plaque which will be permanently situated at 27 Croft Street, the family home.

On Friday afternoon, Carole and I joined the Manchester’ Regiment Officers’ Association for their Annual Ladysmith Luncheon. This year, I am proud to say, the event was held in the Borough of Tameside at Dukinfield Town Hall. The afternoon was a great success, the food was wonderful and the company was excellent. The event is held each year to mark the end of the siege of Ladysmith in February 1900.

Later, we had a very enjoyable evening at the Mayor of Oldham’s Ball which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

There were no engagements on Saturday but on Sunday, we were pleased to join the Ashton Girl Guides at St John’s Church in Hurst for their Annual Division Standard Service.

And that brings another week to a close.

Thanks for joining me.

Best wishes.

Our official engagements this week started on Tuesday morning when Carole and I had the pleasure of visiting Total Refrigeration  in Hyde.

The company had invited me to cut the ribbon on their newly expanded warehouse and I was only too happy to oblige.

Each year the Civic Mayor visits a number of businesses in the Borough in recognition of the valuable contribution they make to the local economy. This is especially important at this difficult time when employment for our residents and the development of their skills is paramount for the future of Tameside.

Carole and I were accompanied on the visit by Councillor John Sullivan, Chair of Hyde District Assembly and representatives of the Council’s Economic Development Unit. We had a good morning and it was a pleasure to be able to help Total celebrate their ongoing success.

On Tuesday afternoon we were joined in the Town Hall by the School Council from Moorside Primary School in Droylsden. Quite recently I was invited into school for their Community Week activities. In return I asked the School Council to join me at the Town Hall for a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber. The children seemed very interested and were bursting with questions. Hopefully they have learned quite a bit about how the Council works and my role as Civic Mayor.

There were no Mayoral engagements on Wednesday but on Thursday Carole and I called in on Mr and Mrs Thomson from Denton to help celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. We presented the happy couple with a card and a bouquet of flowers and offered our good wishes on their special day.

From here we attended a presentation ceremony at Holy Trinity Community Centre in Ashton for juniors from the St Peter’s Youth Group. The children have recently achieved their white belts in martial arts and it was my pleasure to make formal presentations to them all.

On Friday evening Carole and I accompanied by our Deputies, Brenda and Graham, hosted a Valentine’s Ball at Ashton Town Hall. The event was a sell out and was very well supported by local businesses. The evening included a Champagne Reception, a five course formal dinner and dancing to a live band.

It was a terrific night and I am pleased to report that in excess of £1400 has been raised for my Charity Appeal Fund.

My sincere thanks and best wishes go to everyone who supported the occasion. Their kindness was greatly appreciated.

On Saturday evening Carole and I joined the Tameside table at the Help for Heroes Gala Ball at the City of Manchester Stadium . The event had been organised to raise money for our wounded servicemen and women. The evening was very well supported and it was good to see so many people come together to help such a worthy cause.

To round off the week on Sunday afternoon we attended the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester‘s Annual Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition Presentations at Castle Armoury in Bury.

This competition recognises the tremendous support given to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal  by cadet units in Greater Manchester each year. Carole and I were pleased to attend to acknowledge the work of the young people from this area and to show our support for the RBL Poppy Appeal.

And that brings another week to an end. Thank you for joining me. I hope to see you next time.

Kind regards.