Mayor's Blog - November 2007
Mayoral Blog 2007/08
Councillor Michael Smith
It's been another exciting week as we move to closer to Christmas.
On Monday, I was pleased to welcome a lovely group of children to the Town Hall from Greswell Primary School in Denton. It was a pleasure to show the children the Mayor's Parlour and Council Chamber and they thoroughly enjoyed their visit.
On Tuesday, I attended the official opening of the new Ashton-under-Lyne state of the art Community Fire Station. It is a very impressive building with a specialist training area and a community room, available for use by those who live and work in the area.
On Wednesday evening, I travelled into Manchester to attend the Annual Presentation Evening of the Rhodes Foundation Scholarship Trust Fund. The Trust was founded in 1989 in memory of Lord Rhodes of Saddleworth who had been a longstanding and committed supporter of the Probation Service in Greater Manchester and the Selcare Trust of which he was the founding President. The Rhodes Trust funds staff to undertake study trips in this country and around the world to learn of innovative developments in work with offenders and crime prevention. It was a very interesting evening and I was pleased to lend my support.
On Thursday, Teresa and I attended the Lord Mayor of Manchester's Reception at Manchester Town Hall. It was a fabulous night with entertainment and dancing until midnight.
On Friday morning, we were collected by our Attendants Peter and David in the Mayoral car and we began our journey to Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Denton's twin town in France.
Each year, the town of Montigny holds a Christmas Market. Representatives of Montigny's twin towns usually attend the event and even have stalls at the market selling their local produce.
It was quite something to see Denton Town Twinning Committee Members selling their wares which included mince pies, Christmas puddings and Christmas cake!
We had a wonderful weekend and we were honoured to join the Mayor of Montigny at the official opening of the Market and also at a special dinner on the Saturday evening.
We returned home on Sunday, tired after our long journey but pleased with the weekend and satisfied that we had helped enhance the strong friendship links that exist between Denton and Montigny.
I have another busy diary next week, I hope you will join me then.
Best wishes
Wow, another week comes to an end - where is the time going to?
On Monday, I made a quick call to the Phoenix Market Hall in Ashton to join representatives of the Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust to help promote the winter flu jab campaign.
Later, Teresa and I attended the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony in Audenshaw. Once again, there was a fantastic turn out despite the cold weather and the Christmas lights looked beautiful.
On Tuesday, I attended a meeting of the Mayor's Distress Fund Trustees before opening a meeting of Full Council at 5pm. Following the Council Meeting, I joined Members and Officers of the Council and community representatives in the Civic Hall for the Executive Leader of the Council's Annual State of the Area Address.
On Wednesday, I attended the launch of the new baby pack, a joint initiative for new mums by the Tameside & Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust and Tameside & Glossop Primary Care Trust. From here, I travelled over to Denton to visit to Haden Freemen Engineering Solutions. I had a very interesting tour of the company and was pleased to meet management and staff.
Later I attended a special celebration at Leigh Primary School with residents of Walker Estate in Hyde. The event had been organised to celebrate the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. It was a lovely evening and the perfect way to mark this special occasion.
On Thursday, I was honoured to attend the Tameside School Sports Partnership Development and Performance Awards at Dukinfield Town Hall and then later, a special service at St George's Church in Mossley, led by the Bishop of Manchester, to mark the 125th anniversary of the church.
On Friday, Teresa and I had a great time at the Dukinfield Christmas Light Switch On event. As always, the evening was full of fun and festive good cheer.
On Saturday morning, we attended a Christmas Fair at St George's Church Centre at the invitation of the Denton and District Scout Association. From here, we proceeded to Dukinfield Town Hall for the Christie Cancer Women's Trust Fund Annual Potato Pie luncheon and Christmas Fair and then later the same evening we attended the Annual Willow Ball. This year the ball was held at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in Manchester, a wonderful setting and a fabulous night in aid of our local hospice.
To round off the week, on Sunday afternoon Teresa and I were pleased to attend the Annual Tameside Youth Brass Band Festival at the Tameside Hippodrome. We were fortunate to be able to listen to a couple of the bands before assisting with the Prize Giving.
As you can see, it has been hectic but very enjoyable and my thanks go to everyone who has helped make it so memorable.
See you next time.
On Monday, I attended a special service at Manchester Cathedral at the invitation of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. The service was held to remember the fallen and it was a very moving occasion.
Later, Teresa and I visited Denton to begin our tour of the Borough for the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremonies.
Despite it being a bitterly cold night, the crowds were out in force and it was a fabulous start to the festive season.
From here we proceeded to the Manchester Jewish Museum where we joined the other Civic Heads of Greater Manchester for a presentation and tour.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Tuesday.
On Wednesday I was asked to open a Diabetes Open Day at Ashton Town Hall. The event was organised by the hospital to help raise awareness of the condition and there was an array of information on display and medical professionals present to answer queries and concerns. Bill Tarmey kindly gave his support to the event.
And then it was off to Droylsden for their Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony. Again, it was a great turn out and the party atmosphere was fantastic. From here, I returned to Ashton Town Hall to host a Reception in the Mayor's Parlour for the Borough's Young Ambassadors for Sport.
It was lovely to meet the young people, all of whom are either national or regional athletes or exceptionally talented coaches and leaders. Each has been selected to inspire and encourage younger children and I was honoured to meet them and to thank them for their efforts.
On Thursday morning, I popped in at Rufford Avenue Sheltered Housing Scheme in Hyde to join residents for a quick chat over breakfast and then later it was Ashton's turn to 'switch on' for Christmas.
The cast of the Pantomime Aladdin attended the event and Tameside Radio 
helped to ensure the party went with a real swing.
After the Switch On, Teresa and I were privileged to attend the VIP Launch Party at Chill Factore and what an amazing place! Chill Factore is the new Alpine Ski Village in Trafford and comes complete with ski slopes, toboggan run and real snow! There is even an Alpine street with shops, restaurants and cafes.
On Friday evening, we joined the Christmas fun in Hyde for their Christmas lights event before dashing over to the New Century Hall in Manchester for the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester's Annual “Night of Community Stars”. A wonderful celebration of community and volunteering.
On Saturday, Teresa and I attended a Christmas Fair at Edge Lane Methodist Church before attending the Stalybridge Christmas Lights Switch On.
To close the week, on Sunday evening I visited Fairfield High School in Droylsden to watch a demonstration match with the Women's Great Britain Volleyball Team. The team had spent most of the day at the school undertaking training activities with our National Champions, the Tameside Volleyball Club and girls from Fairfield School. It was a fantastic event and my thanks go to the team for sharing their time and expertise.
What a week!
That's all for now. See you next time.
A number of my engagements this week have been centred around Remembrance Services and The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal Week.
On Monday evening I was invited by the Members of the Hyde Branch of the RBL to lay a wreath on the Cross of Remembrance outside Hyde Town Hall and Tuesday and Wednesday I spent time with Ashton members as they sold poppies in Asda.
Also on Tuesday, I was pleased to call upon Mr Chappell of Dukinfield who recently won the best garden award at the Champion of Champions Gala Evening. Mr Chappell was unable to attend the awards evening and therefore I was delighted to drop by to his home to make the formal presentation and to see his prize winning garden.
The same evening I welcomed representatives of Denton Town Twinning Association to the Mayor's Parlour.
On Wednesday night I attended a special celebration at Dukinfield Town Hall at the invitation of the Youth Service. The evening was arranged to acknowledge and to celebrate the achievements of the Borough's young people and I was thrilled to be able to lend my support.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday Teresa and I attended the Annual Civic and Remembrance Service at the South Manchester Synagogue and we were scheduled to attend a Harry Potter themed event at Etherow Lodge Park in Hollingworth but sadly this had to be cancelled at the last minute for health and safety reasons
It was of course Remembrance Sunday on the 11th November and Teresa and I attended the Remembrance Services in Denton and Audenshaw. It was a very emotional day as crowds gathered to remember those that lost their lives in the two World Wars and conflicts since and of course in all our minds were the servicemen and women who are currently putting their lives in danger to serve their country.
I was honoured to lay wreaths in both towns on behalf of the people of the Borough.
Please join me next time for reports on the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremonies
See you next time.