Mayor's Blog November 2008
Mayoral Blog 2008/09
Councillor Jack Davis
Welcome to the official Blog of the Civic Mayor of Tameside
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On Monday, Carole and I attended a Charity Dinner at the Indian Ocean Restaurant in Ashton. The evening had been organised to raise money for Oxfam. 
The event was well supported and hopefully lots of money was raised for a very worthy cause.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Tuesday or Wednesday but on Thursday we visited Holy Trinity Primary School in Ashton. Carole and I had been invited to act as an independent witness as the children took part in the Guinness Book of Record’s “Big Sing” event. The school linked up live with the O2 Arena in London and joined hundreds of thousands of young people up and down the country in singing “You Gotta Be” at the exact same time the song was being performed live at the arena. The aim was to beat the record of 2005 when 293,078 children sang simultaneously.
Although the results were not in before we left, everyone was very positive and I’m sure a new record has been set.
Later, Carole and I attended the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Reception at Manchester Town Hall. The theme of the event was ‘Manchester World Sport 08 in celebration of the city’s magnificent sporting achievements this year.
And then on Friday morning, came the moment we had all been waiting for, the official opening of Ashton Market Hall. Fire devastated this much loved building 4 years ago but now it has opened its doors for trading once again and just in time for Christmas. From the outside, the building looks very similar whilst the inside has been beautifully restored. I hope people will now return to Ashton to do their shopping and to support our local traders.
On Friday evening, Carole and I attended the 2008 Champion of Champions Garden Competition and Dinner at Dukinfield Town Hall. The evening celebrated the wealth of gardening talent we have in the Borough and also recognised and rewarded residents, businesses and schools who have taken personal and civic pride in their surroundings whilst at the same time helping to make Tameside cleaner, safer and greener.
We had just one engagement over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Carole and I were invited to the Annual Christmas Draw and potato pie luncheon of the Christie Cancer Women’s Trust Fund (Dukinfield Committee). We had a lovely afternoon and Carole was thrilled to be asked to draw the winning raffle tickets.
That’s it for this week. Next week we are off to visit Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Denton’s twin town in France. So please catch up with us then.
Best wishes.
Well it has been another busy but enjoyable week.
On Monday evening, Carole and I attended the Audenshaw Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony in the town’s Memorial Gardens. Again, the crowds were out in force to support this annual event and it was great to see so many families enjoying the celebrations.
From here, we visited St Hilda’s Church to attend a special Service of Thanksgiving in recognition of the church’s 70th anniversary. It was a lovely evening and it was good to have the opportunity to chat with some of the congregation. We were all treated to a delicious supper afterwards.
Tuesday was a very busy day as it was Council that evening. Traditionally the November meeting includes the Leader of the Council’s State of the Area Address and the Mayor’s Annual Report. Obviously there is a great deal of work involved in preparing for the event but I am pleased to say the evening went well and the Leader had many positive things to report, not least the fact that Tameside has once again been judged to be a four star – strongly performing Council in this year’s corporate assessment. A magnificent achievement I am sure you will agree.
Although there were no Mayoral engagements on Wednesday, my day was taken up with business meetings.
On Thursday, Carole and I were delighted to take part in the Droylsden Christmas Lights Switch On event before welcoming members of the Dukinfield Chrysanthemum Society to the Mayor’s Parlour.
On Friday afternoon, we popped over to Ravensfield Primary School in Dukinfield to help the children mark the end of anti-bullying week. Hundreds of balloons were released to mark the occasion and we all had great fun whilst at the same time driving home the message that we will not tolerate bullying in our schools.
Later, Carole and I attended the Dukinfield Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony before dashing over to New Century Hall in Manchester for “A Night of Community Stars” at the invitation of the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. The evening was a celebration of community, showcasing the efforts and recognising the talents of ordinary local people. It was a pleasure to lend our support.
On Saturday evening, it was time to put on our dancing shoes once again as we headed over to the Hilton Hotel for the Annual Willow Ball. It was a fabulous night in wonderful surroundings and I am sure lots of money has been raised for our local hospice, Willow Wood.
On Sunday afternoon, Carole and I were invited to the Tameside Youth Brass Band Festival at its new venue, Dukinfield Town Hall. We were able to listen to the final bands before assisting with the presentation of prizes. It was incredible to see and hear the talent of these young musicians and I am so pleased that they have this opportunity each year to showcase their passion for music.
And that brings another week to a close. Only 4 more weeks to Christmas everyone -Where does the time go?
Thank you for tuning in, I hope to see you again soon.
Best wishes.
Jack
On Monday, the day started with a visit to City College Manchester (formally MANCAT) where I was pleased to attend the local heat for the LACA School Chef of the Year Competition. The winning chef was Yvonne Wain of Leigh Primary School in Hyde who produced a delicious menu of salmon and broccoli fishcakes with a chilli and soy sauce, served with stir-fried vegetables and for dessert, mouth-watering summer berry cheesecake pots. Yvonne will now go forward to represent Tameside in the regional competition and of course we wish her the very best of luck.
Carole and I have been busy this week helping to switch on the Christmas lights in some of the Borough’s towns. It has been great fun and has really put us in the Christmas sprit. In fact it has spurred us on to do some Christmas shopping! Our first `switch on’ was at Denton on Monday evening. There was a great turn out and the new civic square provided the perfect venue for this event.
On Tuesday, 11th November at 11am, Carole and I, along with other Members and Officers of the Council, joined the Royal British Legion on the steps of Ashton Town Hall for an Act of Remembrance. Together we stood to remember the servicemen and women who had given their lives in two world wars and in conflicts since.
Despite the rain, many people stopped on the Market Ground to take part in the ceremony and observe a two-minute silence.
On Wednesday evening, we joined the other Civic Heads of Greater Manchester at a Reception at the Jewish Museum in Manchester. It was a very interesting event which not only allowed us the opportunity to have a look round but also to meet the staff and trustees.
On Thursday night, it was Ashton’s turn for the big Christmas ‘switch on’. Again, the crowds were incredible and everybody had a great time.
On Friday morning, I was invited to open a Diabetes Open Day in Ashton Town Hall and, as I am diabetic myself, I was asked to say a few words about the condition and how it affects my life. There were professionals on hand from the hospital and other agencies to offer information and advice and there was even the facility to have cholesterol and other health checks.
From here, Carole and I attended a photocall and buffet luncheon to mark the ‘handing over of the keys’ for the new Ashton Primary Care Centre. As a local Councillor and resident, it has been wonderful to see the development of St Petersfield. The area has been totally transformed and I wish the PCT well in their new building.
On Friday afternoon, we were pleased to welcome to the Town Hall, the School Council from St Mary’s RC Primary School in Dukinfield. The local ward Councillors also joined us at the event and helped stage a mini ballot to demonstrate how a local election is run. Unfortunately our candidates took the form of football teams rather than prospective councillors and my team, Arsenal, came in a very poor third behind Manchester United and Manchester City. Despite this, I had a great afternoon and I hope the children enjoyed the visit also.
On Friday evening, Carole and I met up with Father Christmas once again. This time we were in Hyde to help switch on their Christmas lights.
On Saturday morning, we attended the official opening of the new Children 4 Most Nursery at the St Peter’s Children’s Centre in Ashton. I felt very proud to declare the centre open and was pleased to be able to offer my good wishes for the future.
Later, Carole and I attended the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony in Stalybridge before heading off to the Midland Hotel in Manchester for a Gala Ball at the invitation of the High Sheriff. It was a fabulous night in a very glamorous setting and hopefully the evening has helped the High Sheriff raise lots of money for local good causes.
We had the day off on Sunday so it was nice to relax a little after a busy schedule and also to recharge our batteries in preparation for next week, which will include more Christmas lights and also the Council Meeting incorporating the Leader’s Annual State of the Area Address.
I hope you can join me then.
See you soon.
Best wishes.
Our official engagements started on Monday evening this week when Carole and I joined Members of the Royal British Legion outside Hyde Town Hall for a short Service of Remembrance to mark the start of Poppy Appeal Week.
On Tuesday morning I took part in an interview for an article in the Healthy Living Newsletter before welcoming members of a social inclusion group to the Town Hall for a guided tour and afternoon tea.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Wednesday but on Thursday, Carole and I were honoured to be invited to unveil statues as part of the public art programme for Lord Sheldon Way in Ashton. The unveiling of the seven statues took place at the The Village Hotel and they will shortly be installed along Lord Sheldon Way in time for Christmas.
Later, we travelled over to Dukinfield Town Hall to attend this year’s Tameside School Sports Partnership Awards. I was delighted to be able to assist with the presentation of awards and also to speak a little about the reception I hosted for the Borough’s Olympic and Paralympic stars.
Friday was a non stop day! To begin with, we were invited to the official opening of the new Denton Civic Square and from here, I joined the Council’s ‘In Bloom’ staff for a special thank you luncheon to acknowledge their hard work and success in this year’s competition.
Carole and I then quickly travelled over to Manchester Town Hall to attend a celebration of The Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps at the invitation of the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. It was a lovely afternoon incorporating a short element of worship and prayers, followed by entertainment and a good old sing song.
In the evening, we were pleased to attend a special 130th Anniversary Dinner with representatives of Ashton United Football Club .
On Saturday morning, we visited South Manchester Synagogue for a Civic and Remembrance Service and later attended a Christmas Fair at Mossley Methodist Church.
On Sunday, Carole and I joined the members of The Royal British Legion Ashton Branch at their Annual Remembrance Parade and Service. The event was very well attended and it was good to see so many young people taking part and honouring the men and women who gave their lives in the two world wars and in more than seventy other conflicts since.
In the evening we were pleased to attend a Remembrance Concert at Hyde Town Hall. The event had been organised by the Hyde District Assembly Office and featured the world famous Wingates Band. It was a fabulous night and Carole and I particularly enjoyed the rousing Proms finale.
And that brings another busy week to a close, next week we begin the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremonies across the Borough – I hope you can join me then.
Best wishes.