Mayor's Blog - May 2008
Mayoral Blog 2007/08
Councillor Michael Smith
Well I can’t believe it came round so quickly but this was my final week in office.
On Monday, I attended an Institute of Customer Services celebration lunch at Ashton Town Hall for Council staff. The event not only recognised successful practitioners but also served as the launch event for Cohort 4. Tameside Council is passionate about providing excellent customer service and I think it is important to recognise those members of staff who have worked hard and shown their commitment to achieving and maintaining this high level of service.
Later, I was pleased to welcome guests to the Mayor’s Parlour from my Ward, Denton West.
At the Dukinfield Whit Walks last weekend, I was introduced to two Chinese gentlemen who were visiting the Borough on business. They were very interested in my role as Civic Mayor and I invited them to join me in the Town Hall on Tuesday for tea and biscuits and to learn a little more about the Council and the Borough of Tameside.
On Wednesday it was my Charity Golf Day at Denton Golf Club and what a fantastic day it was! The weather was glorious and everybody had a wonderful time. We managed to raise over £700 for my Charity Appeal Fund. My sincere thanks go to the Board of Directors and staff at the club for generously allowing us to use their facilities and for looking after us so well and also to the 14 teams that participated on the day and gave their support to my charity.
On Thursday, I popped in at Tameside Central Library to lend my support to a breastfeeding promotion organised by the Tameside & Glossop Primary Care Trust. The event had been organised as part of the National Breastfeeding Week celebrations to promote breastfeeding locally. Later, I was joined in the Mayor’s Parlour by guests from Droylsden East Ward.
On Friday, I joined the Churches Together in Mossley for their Annual Whit Friday Service and Walk of Witness and in the evening, Teresa and I visited the Annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contests throughout the Borough. It was a wonderful day (and night). The weather stayed fine for most of the day and the people came out in force to support these traditional family events.
On Saturday night, Teresa and I attended a magnificent concert at the Bridgewater Hall courtesy of the Manchester Camerata Orchestra and their sponsors for the evening, Haden Freeman Ltd.
On Sunday, Ashton Golf Club kindly hosted a charity tournament in aid of the Mayor’s Charity and Teresa and I were invited to Dinner in the evening to receive a cheque from the club officials. This event has become an annual fixture in the club’s diary of events and I and my predecessors are extremely grateful to the club for their generosity and continued support.
On Monday, Teresa and I hosted a luncheon for a small number of guests in the Mayor’s Parlour to say thank you and farewell as our term of office comes to an end. Guests included our Deputies, Steve and Betty and the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council who have all given us tremendous support and encouragement during the year.
Our final engagement of the year was the Annual Ashton Sixth Form College Adult Learners Presentation Evening on Monday evening. We were pleased to attend this event at Dukinfield Town Hall to show our support and to offer our congratulations to the recipients of awards.
Teresa and I are grateful to everybody who has supported us and helped us throughout the year and especially to the people of Tameside who have always been so warm and welcoming when we have attended engagements in the Borough.
It has been a wonderful experience and a great honour and we have been immensely proud to be your Mayor and Mayoress.
We wish Councillor Jack Davis, his wife, Carole and their Deputies, Councillor Brenda Warrington and her husband Graham well for the year ahead. We know they will do a great job and we are sure they will enjoy every minute.
Thank you once again everyone.
With every good wish.
After spending the Bank Holiday at home, Mayoral engagements began on Tuesday 5th May when I received visitors to the Mayor’s Parlour from Rufford Avenue Sheltered Housing Scheme in Hyde.
Later, Teresa and I were pleased to welcome guests from Old Chapel in Dukinfield.
It has been lovely entertaining guests in the Parlour throughout the year. From the very young to our more senior citizens, everybody has enjoyed the experience and it has meant so much to them. Our visitors have especially been keen to learn about the history of the Town Hall, the wonderful items on display in the Mayor’s Parlour and the workings of the Council Chamber.
On Wednesday, I welcomed guests from Chartist House in Hyde before attending a presentation by the RAF at the Imperial War Museum North.
On Thursday, Teresa and I spent a lovely evening in the Town Hall with staff from Mount Carmel RC Primary School 
. One of the guests was celebrating her 80th birthday so that made the occasion even more special for us all.
There were no engagements on Friday, but on Saturday, Teresa and I were invited to attend the Audenshaw School 75th Anniversary Ball. The event was held at the Edwardian Radisson Hotel in Manchester. It was a very grand evening and we all had a wonderful time.
On Sunday, I joined the Churches of Dukinfield in the morning and Stalybridge in the afternoon for their annual Walks of Witness and Open Air Services. The weather was glorious and I enjoyed lending my support to these traditional family events.
That’s it for this week.
Unfortunately we are now quickly approaching the end of our term of office. Next week is our last full week as Mayor and Mayoress so please catch up with us then.
Best regards.