Mayor's Blog May 2009
Mayoral Blog 2008/09
Councillor Jack Davis
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Well this is my final Blog of the year as I officially hand over the chains of office on Tuesday evening to our new Mayor Councillor John Sullivan.
It has been a fantastic 12 months and Carole and I would like to thank everybody who has helped make our year in office so very special.
We have had quite a busy week to end the year.
On Monday 11th May I joined the Council’s Fostering Team outside the Town Hall for the launch of Foster Carer’s Fortnight – a two week campaign to help recruit foster carers to care for our looked after children. As part of the campaign, the Council has commissioned a taxi for 12 months and have set up information stalls in Hyde and Ashton Town Centres. The authority needs foster carers who live in and around the Borough and who can provide a stable home for children aged 0 to 18 years. Hopefully the campaign will help Tameside Council recruit high quality carers who have the time, energy and commitment to take on such a rewarding challenge.
Later I was pleased to attend an Adult Learners Awards Evening at Dukinfield Town Hall at the invitation of Ashton Sixth Form College 
.
On Tuesday myself and Mirriam Lawton, our Deputy Chief Executive travelled to Sedgley Park Police Training Centre in Prestwich for a luncheon courtesy the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Mr Peter Fahy. The Chief Constable hosts this event annually towards the end of each Mayoral year, in honour of the Civic Heads of the county.
In the evening Carole and I were invited to Stockport Town Hall for a Civic Reception with the new Mayor and Mayoress.
On Wednesday we were pleased to host an ‘end of year’ celebratory luncheon in the Mayor’s Parlour. It was our way of saying thank you to the Executive Leader, Acting Chief Executive and other senior Members and Officers of the Council for their guidance and support during the year.
Later in the afternoon we attended a rehearsal for the Mayoral Inauguration Ceremony.
At lunchtime on Thursday, Carole and I were invited to attend the official opening of the new Findel Education Headquarters Building in Hyde. The opening ceremony was conducted by the Executive Leader of the Council and guests had the opportunity to tour this impressive new building.
In the evening we headed over to Central Art Gallery in Ashton for the preview of the Council’s Open Art Exhibition 2009. This is always a popular exhibition, not only can people see great artwork on display but also provides an opportunity for local people to buy original pieces of art. There was a wealth of talent on display and if you get the chance, it really is worth a visit.
On Friday morning, we visited the Asda Store in Hyde for the opening of this year’s “Health for Life” Festival – a two week programme of events organised by the Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust and designed to promote healthy living.
On Saturday evening, we were delighted to join members of the Stalybridge Old Band at a special 200th anniversary celebration at Stalybridge Civic Hall. Formed in 1809, the band is believed to be the oldest civilian brass band in the world. 200 year’s is an incredible achievement and a wonderful milestone in the band’s history. My congratulations go to all band members both past and present.
On Sunday, we were invited to attend the Ashton Pioneer Homes 10th birthday celebration. As a St Peter’s Ward Councillor, I have seen first hand the tremendous amount of work undertaken by APH in this area over the last ten years. I have also seen the commitment and care the company gives to its tenants and to the neighbourhood. Carole and I were pleased to attend this special community celebration and to offer our good wishes for continued success.
From here, we joined the Droylsden East Ward Councillors and residents from Littlemoss for the official opening of the Remembrance Gardens. The gardens have been transformed thanks to the hard work of the local community and District Assembly and funding from a Fair Share Trust grant. Carole and lived in Littlemoss for a number of years before moving to Ashton and therefore it was a privilege to be able to return to the area as Mayor and Mayoress and to officially open the gardens following the renovation work.
Our final engagement of the day was at Ashton Golf Club . For a number of years the club has very generously organised a charity golf tournament in aid of the Mayor’s Charity. Carole and I were invited to join officials for Dinner and to assist with the presentation of prizes. We also brought home with us a cheque for £100 for the Mayor’s Charity. My sincere thanks go to Ashton Golf Club and to all the people who took part in the tournament. Their kindness and continued support is greatly appreciated.
On Monday 18th May, our last full day in office, we were joined in the Town Hall by children from Broadbent Fold Primary School in Dukinfield. The children were the winners of this year’s Trading Standards Easter Egg Competition and as part of their prize they were invited to join Carole and myself for a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber. The children were lovely guests and appeared to enjoy the morning.
Carole and I then visited Lily’s Restaurant in Ashton for lunch. Lily’s have recently been awarded a Healthy Food Award by the health service. We were invited to help the restaurant celebrate this success and also to mark the start of National Vegetarian Week .
And to finish my Mayoral duties, for the last engagement of the year, I joined the Hyde and District Scouts for their Annual General Meeting at St George’s Scouts Headquarters.
Carole and I are sad to hang up the chains of office, it’s been hard work but we’ve had a wonderful year and we have many happy memories to treasure.
We wish the new Mayor, Councillor John Sullivan, his wife, Francoise and their Deputies Sue and Kieran Quinn, the very best of luck for the year ahead, they’ll enjoy every minute.
Well that’s all folks.
Thanks for tuning in.
Best wishes.
Following the Bank Holiday weekend, our Mayoral engagements began on Tuesday 5th May 2009 with a visit to Willow Wood Hospice . The visit had been arranged to help mark Willow Wood’s 10th anniversary. We had the opportunity to chat to both patients and staff and to offer our good wishes on reaching this important milestone.
Later Carole and I attended a reception at the Town Hall hosted by Councillor Jackie Lane, Project Head for Heritage in honour of the Borough’s Land Army Girls. Together we enjoyed tea and cakes and a good old sing song. It was a lovely event and the perfect way to say thank you to the ladies for their efforts during the war.
On Tuesday evening we welcomed representatives of the local Freemasons to the Town Hall. You may remember a few weeks ago, we were invited to attend their Charity Evening and were delighted to come away with a cheque for my Mayoral Charity Appeal Fund. In order to say thank you and to repay some of the kindness, Carole and I invited representatives to visit us in the Mayor’s Parlour.
On Wednesday Carole attended the annual Women of the North Luncheon whilst I welcomed a group of students to the Town Hall from Montigny-le-Bretonneux.
It was Carole’s birthday on Wednesday, so in the evening we took a break from our Mayoral duties and enjoyed a quiet meal together.
On Thursday morning we visited Ashton Fire Station for the handing over of a new fire appliance and later we entertained young people from SPY (St Peter’s Youth Group). Our guests will shortly be taking part in their youth forum elections and therefore they we eager to learn about the Council and democratic processes.
On Friday lunchtime, Carole and I attended the official opening of Ashton Swimming Pool following refurbishment. The building is very impressive and I am sure it will be warmly received by the residents of the Borough. The facilities now include a new state of the art fitness suite, dance studio and thermal suite.
Later, we joined the Executive Leader of the Council and other senior members at the Tameside Works First Business Summit at Dukinfield Town Hall. The evening brought together local businessmen and women and our local MPs to discuss how we can work better with them to increase the impact and benefits of the Tameside Works First support package. It was a very positive meeting and our first step to ensuring the success of TWF.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Saturday but on Sunday I attended the Annual Regimental Parade and Service of The Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade at Manchester Cathedral.
And that brings another Mayoral week to an end. Thank you for joining me and I hope to see you next time which will be my final Blog of the year.
Best wishes.