Mayor's Blog - March 2008
Mayoral Blog 2007/08
Councillor Michael Smith
My Mayoral engagements began on Tuesday evening this week when I called in at the Dukinfield District Assembly Meeting to present the Chair, Councillor Brian Wild JP with a decanter. The decanter was presented to me on my recent visit to Champagnole, Dukinfield’s twin town in France, in celebration of the 50th twinning anniversary of the two towns. I thought it would be appropriate for the decanter to be displayed in Dukinfield Town Hall and asked Councillor Wild to accept the gift on behalf of the local community.
From here, I travelled to Ashton Town Hall to receive in the Mayor’s Parlour Friends of the Park at Ryecroft Hall.
On Wednesday evening, Teresa and I put on our glad rags and joined young people from the Youth Opportunity Fund Grant Panel at Dukinfield Town Hall for a special Celebration Evening. It was a wonderful night and the young people who had organised the event had obviously put in a great deal of hard work to make the evening successful.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Thursday but on Friday I called in to see Joan Tate in the Transport Office.
Joan was retiring after 16 years service. During that time, Joan has been a great help with matters concerning the Mayoral cars and wanted to thank her and to wish her well for the future.
On Sunday, Teresa and I were pleased to join Councillor Jackie Lane JP and the Council’s Arts and Events Team at Hyde Town Hall for a Concert by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra. It was a stirring performance and I am so pleased that the orchestra agreed to perform in the Borough once again.
See you next week.
Although I had a number of business meetings at the start of the week, my Mayoral engagements didn't actually commence until Friday evening when Teresa and I attended the Mayor of Bolton's Civic Dinner at Bolton Town Hall.
It was a lovely evening with good food and excellent company and we were grateful to the Mayor for her kind hospitality.
On Saturday evening, Teresa and I attended the Mayor of Rochdale's Ball at Rochdale Town Hall. It was another fabulous night and again we were grateful to the Mayor for looking after us so well.
On Sunday afternoon, Teresa and I joined the Mayor of High Peak and her Consort at an Easter event at Etherow Lodge Park in Hollingworth. It was a wonderful family occasion with lots of fun and activities for children of all ages. I had a great time taking part in the egg and spoon race!
From here, Teresa and I visited the Tameside Hippodrome for the Tameside Open Brass Band Championships.
We had the opportunity to listen to some of the bands competing in the Championship Section before assisting with the presentation of prizes. All the bands did well and I would like to offer my congratulations once again to everybody taking part in the competition.
That's it for this week.See you next time.
My Mayoral duties have been quieter this week due to Easter.
On Monday evening, Teresa and I attended the annual St Patrick's Night Celebrations at the Irish Club in Ashton. The atmosphere was great and we had a smashing night.
On Tuesday, I was pleased to welcome representatives of the Ashton-under-Lyne Civic Society to the Town Hall. The guests were particularly interested in the history of the building and enjoyed the guided tour of the Mayor's Parlour and Council Chamber.
On Wednesday, I was joined in the Mayor's Parlour by residents of Lakeswood Sheltered Housing Accommodation in Dukinfield. We had a lovely chat over tea and cakes and I am sure everybody enjoyed the visit.
On Thursday I attended the official opening of the newly refurbished Hyde Library. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Joe Kitchen. I was very impressed with the new facilities which includes extra computers and soon there is to be a new art gallery which will provide a fabulous showcase for the work of local artist Harry Rutherford.
There were no Mayoral engagements over the Easter Weekend so Teresa and I enjoyed spending time at home with the family.See you next time.
I must begin my Blog this week by saying how deeply shocked and saddened I was to hear of the death of our Chief Constable, Michael Todd.
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael on a number of occasions. He was an excellent police officer and a true gentleman. His death is a terrible loss for Greater Manchester.
My thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time and I offer my sincere condolences to them.
It has been a busy week for engagements. On Monday, I was joined in the Town Hall by the School Council from Mossley Hollins High School. The visit included a tour of the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber. It’s not very often that students from secondary schools visit us but I am sure they enjoyed the visit and found it worthwhile.
Later I welcomed representatives of Rosehill Residents and Allotments.
On Tuesday evening I was joined by guests from Denton Local History Society who as I am sure you can imagine, were particularly interested in the history of the Town Hall and Mayor’s Parlour.
On Wednesday I called in at Fairfield View Care Home in Audenshaw to help celebrate the 100th birthday of Mrs Evelyn Evans. From here, I dashed over to Dukinfield Town Hall to attend a photocall with Councillor Brian Wild JP before officiating at a Citizenship Ceremony in the Lesser Hall.
Later, Teresa and I attended a production of “42nd Street” at the Tameside Hippodrome. It was a great night and I would like to congratulate Ashton Operatic Society on yet another wonderful show.
On Thursday I welcomed the School Choir from Holy Trinity Primary School in Ashton to the Town Hall. The children really enjoyed their visit and they even sang for me! From here, I attended and chaired a meeting of the Resources and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel before entertaining guests from Denton West Community Association in the Mayor’s Parlour.
On Friday I was pleased to attend the annual presentation of the John Porter Memorial Awards for Art at Astley Cheetham Art Gallery. The awards were founded in memory of Stalybridge Councillor John Porter to encourage creative children in Stalybridge in their artistic studies. Later, Teresa and I were invited to attend a Charity Evening with Freemasons of Ashton, Mossley and Audenshaw. The event was held at Ashton Masonic Hall where many local good causes, including my own charity, received generous donations from the various Masonic Lodges and Chapters.
On Saturday, Teresa and I spent a lovely morning with the 6th Debdale (St George’s) Rainbows. This year marks the 21st birthday of Rainbows and there have been Rainbows at St George’s Church in Denton since their inception. To help celebrate this milestone, I invited the girls to join me in the Town Hall for a slice of birthday cake. We all had a great time and the cake was delicious!
In the evening, Teresa and I attended a formal Dinner at Manchester Town Hall. The event was hosted by the Lord Mayor in honour of the Civic Heads of Greater Manchester. It was a very pleasant evening and we were all grateful to the Lord Mayor for his excellent hospitality.
On Sunday there were no Mayoral engagements so Teresa and I took the opportunity to spend a quiet day at home with the family.
As we approach Easter, things do quieten down somewhat next week but I hope you will still join me.
See you next time.
My Mayoral engagements this week began on Monday when Teresa and I spent a lovely evening with Members of the Rotary Club of Ashton-under-Lyne. It was the club’s Annual Charter Dinner and we had a wonderful meal at Edit Restaurant at Portland Basin.
On Tuesday, I was asked to be one of the judges in the Trading Standards Annual Easter Egg Competition. The competition is open to Year Six pupils from Primary Schools in Tameside. The children decide which of three Easter Eggs is the best value taking into account weight, packaging, price and of course taste. The children presented their findings in wall-mounted displays and the quality of work was exceptional. St John’s Primary School in Dukinfield were chosen as the winners.
Later, I attended the funeral of Mrs Ivy Robinson a former Member of Tameside Council.
In the evening, Teresa and I visited Tameside Scrabble Club.
On Wednesday, I was invited to unveil a plaque at Ashton Parish Church in memory of local soldiers who gave their lives in the Malayan War and later I joined school children from across Greater Manchester at the Bridgewater Hall for a Concert by the Hallé Orchestra. The concert was part of the annual series of concerts for schools designed to introduce young people to the sounds of a symphony orchestra in a major concert venue and to encourage the development of an interest in classical music.
In the evening, Teresa hosted her “at home” event in the Town Hall. I didn’t attend but I understand it was a fantastic night and I would like to say a really big thank you to all those people who supported Teresa on her special evening.
On Thursday, I joined the World Book Day Celebrations at Russell Scott Primary School where I was tasked with the difficult job of judging the fancy dress parade. All the children and even the staff were dressed as their favourite book characters. Everyone looked great and they all deserved a prize for taking part.
From Russell Scott, I attended the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in Stalybridge in honour of Lillian Urmston. Lillian was born in Stalybridge. She attended St Paul’s Elementary School and was a Sunday school teacher and Guide Leader at St Paul’s Church. She trained as a nurse at Tameside Hospital which was then known as the Lake Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne. In 1937 she bravely volunteered her services giving medial assistance to injured Government troops and civilians during the Spanish Civil War. Lillian also served widely in the Second World War and is remembered for her heroic work. A short service was held at St Paul’s Church before the unveiling of the Blue Plaque by Councillor Jackie Lane JP, Project Head for Heritage at St Paul’s Primary School.
I was pleased to welcome guests from Droylsden to the Mayor’s Parlour on Thursday evening.
On Friday at Denton Town Hall, I joined Councillor Lane once again along with Andrew Gwynne MP and Councillor Margaret Downs, Chair of the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly. Together with Members of Denton Local History Society we presented teaching packs to representatives of schools in Denton and Audenshaw, outlining the heritage of Victoria Park in Denton. Later, Teresa and I attended a Gala Evening at Stockport County FC at the invitation of the Greater Manchester East County Scout Council.
The event had been organised to look back on and to celebrate the success of the Scouts centenary year in 2007. It was a great evening and we were very pleased to join the celebrations.
On Saturday morning, I joined the Scouts once again. This time, at the invitation of Denton Scout Council, I attended a Family Activity Day at Linnet Clough Scout Camp in Mellor. It was great fun and I was given an insight into some of the activities that our scouts get up to.
It was another early start on Sunday morning when I was invited to set off a sponsored walk from the Indian Community Centre on Union Road in Ashton. The event had been organised in aid of the Meningitis Trust and over 250 people took part in the 10 mile walk. The walk was just one part of a series of events to help Daksha and Dilip Mistry raise £21,000 for the Trust. Daksha and Dilip lost their 11 month old daughter, Bhavini to meningitis. Bhavini would have been 21 this month. Last November, Daksha and Dilip set themselves the target of raising £21,000 in her memory. The money they have raised will be presented to the Meningitis Trust at a Charity Ball in Oldham on the 29th March. It was a pleasure to meet Daksha and Dilip and it was wonderful to see how the local community have rallied round to support them and to help them raise the money. Teresa and I wish them well.
That’s all for this week. Hope to see you next time.
Best wishes.