Mayor's Blog - May 2007
Mayoral Blog 2006/07
Councillor Margaret Sidebottom
May 2007
What a lovely week to round up an amazing year.
On Monday I attended my final Citizenship Ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall and then a Graduation Ceremony for Breastfeeding Peer Supporters from Sure Start St Peter's. The event reminded me just how important breastfeeding is and as a result I have decided to join the group and train as a Peer Supporter myself.
On Tuesday, I was pleased to host a farewell dinner in the Mayor's Parlour for the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester who will be retiring in June.
On Wednesday I travelled to Blackpool for the Annual Women of the North Luncheon at the Imperial Hotel and on Thursday I was honoured to be involved in a visit to Tameside by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. The day included visits to Denton West End Boys and Girls Club and Droylsden Youth Centre.
Later in the day, I welcomed over 30 French students and their English hosts to the Town Hall. The young people were visiting the Borough as guests of Ashton Sixth Form College and I took the opportunity to show them around the Mayor's Parlour, Council Chamber and Museum of the Manchester Regiment.
Friday was my last day as Civic Mayor and in the evening I formally handed over my chain of office to my successor, Councillor Michael Smith.
I have had a fantastic year. I have met so many lovely people, I have attended hundreds of engagements and I have visited some fabulous places.
I offer my sincere thanks to the Council and the people of Tameside for allowing me this wonderful opportunity and for making my year in office so very special.
I offer my good wishes to the new Mayor and Mayoress, Mike and Teresa and their Deputies, Steve and Betty. I know they will do well and I hope they enjoy every minute.
Thank you once again and see you soon.
I can hardly believe this is my penultimate week, where has the year gone?
Following the Bank Holiday weekend, I began my Mayoral duties on Tuesday 8th May. The week started off very sadly as Colin and I attended the Mayor of Salford's funeral. It was a lovely service and there were lots of people there but it was a very sad day.
In the evening, I hosted a special reception for the young people that have been Junior Mayor for the day. Forty schools in total took part in the project throughout the year and the majority of the Junior Mayors were able to join me at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. As a small thank you, I presented each of them with a keepsake medal. The medals were very similar to the one I will receive on my retirement next week and I hope the Junior Mayors will treasure them and keep them as a reminder of their very own day in office.
On Wednesday I spent most of the day in the Town Hall. In the morning I welcomed a group of ladies from the Kush Amdid Community Group to the Mayor's Parlour. For many of them it was their first visit to the Parlour and they thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
I then felt honoured to be presented with a limited edition Ashton Market Jigsaw courtesy of the Markets Office. As an Ashton Councillor I have a long and close Association with the Market and I was delighted to receive this special gift.
At lunchtime I attended a luncheon for staff within the Benefits and Revenues Service. The service has recently introduced a new computer system and the lunch was organised to thank the staff for their hard work and assistance in implementing the changes.
Later that afternoon I welcomed a group of ladies from the Rosemount Trinity Methodist Church Craft Group in Hyde and then in the evening I attended a wonderful function with the Borough's foster carers. The event had been organised by the Fostering Service to recognise and celebrate the commitment of Tameside's foster carers.
On Thursday morning I was pleased to welcome to the Town Hall students and staff from Manor Green Primary School in Denton before attending an event in Hyde with the members of the Probin Mela Luncheon Club. The Luncheon Club was deeply affected by the recent deaths of Mr and Mrs Bill and Kath Shaw and, in recognition of Bill and Kath's work with the local Bangladeshi Community, they had arranged for a plaque to be erected in their memory. The plaque was unveiled jointly by the Chairs of the Luncheon Club and the Hyde Bangladesh Welfare Association and it was a lovely way to remember Bill and Kath and to say thank you for their work.
Later I attended a VIP event at the invitation of Urban Splash to celebrate the launch of the new residential development at Longlands Mill in Stalybridge and then I returned to the Town Hall to host a reception for members of the Kings and Manchester Regiments Association.
On Friday morning, I welcomed students from Samuel Laycock School to say well done on winning the Trading Standards Consumer Quiz. Samuel Laycock beat off stiff competition from schools across Greater Manchester to win the quiz and I wanted to congratulate them on their success. Later I was pleased to welcome children and staff from Flowery Fields Primary School in Hyde.
On Friday afternoon I visited the residents and staff at Fir Trees Care Centre in Dukinfield. The centre has recently undergone refurbishment and I was invited to have a look round the new facilities.
On Saturday I was asked to open the Flower Festival at Willow Wood Hospice and then I visited West Hill School for the North West Regional Fencing Championships. The event included the first disabled fencing event at the regional competition and I was delighted that it took place in Tameside.
There was very strong sporting flavour throughout the weekend as on Sunday I attended the Greater Manchester Athletics Association Annual Track and Field Championships at Longford Park Stadium in Stretford and then in the evening I enjoyed Dinner at Ashton Golf Club. For the past few years, the club has kindly organised a charity tournament in aid of the Mayor's Charity. I was honoured to be invited along on Sunday evening to receive the cheque and to dine with the Captain and Members of the Club. It was a lovely night and I am thrilled to say that I received a cheque for a fabulous £200. This is a tremendous boost to my charity appeal and I am grateful to the Golf Club and everybody who took part on the day.
Well it's time to prepare for my final week in office, so with a little tear I will say goodbye and see you next time.