Mayor's Blog November 2009
Mayoral Blog 2009/10
Councillor John B. Sullivan JP, GNSM, LTCL
Welcome to the official Blog of the Civic Mayor of Tameside
A Blog (or a Weblog) is an online journal/diary which is frequently updated with the author's thoughts and comments, and is intended for the general public to view.
Bonjour tout le monde!
I am writing this week’s Blog on my way home from a very successful and enjoyable weekend in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Denton’s twin town in France.
Francoise and I, accompanied by Peter and David, the Mayor’s Attendants, travelled to Montigny early on Friday morning to attend the town’s annual Christmas Market.
Although very tiring, we had a fabulous weekend and were delighted to be able to represent Denton and the Borough of Tameside in Montigny once again.
Members of the Denton Town Twinning Association were present for the occasion along with representatives of Montigny’s other twin towns in Ireland, Germany and Italy.
If you have ever visited the Christmas Markets in Manchester, you will know there is a truly international flavour to these events so it was wonderful to see the Denton stall in amongst the thick of it and selling home-made Christmas cakes, which I must say went down a storm! I have never seen such an enormous Christmas Market; the range of stalls, which included food and drink as well as handicrafts and arts was absolutely staggering!
I must, at this point, include a few words of praise and appreciation for Tameside Council’s Mayoral staff. Everyone who comes into contact with them knows just how dedicated, professional and extra special they are. I have already referred to the early start on Friday morning. We left home at 6am, which of course for Peter and David meant a much earlier start than that. I was stunned when Joanne, the Mayor’s secretary phoned us at 6.30a.m., checking that everything was in order and that we were OK. What dedication! Even though Joanne couldn’t be with us, she was in close contact throughout the day via email, and I knew that we were in safe hands, albeit from an increasing distance, and I was reassured to know that the organisation of the whole trip, down to the finest detail, had been meticulously planned from start to finish.
As ever, Mayoral Attendants Peter and David were the epitome of professionalism and dedication throughout the trip. Not only did they perform their duties, which are many and unbelievably varied, with superb professionalism, expertise and panache, they were wonderful cheerful company for Francoise and I throughout the whole trip. Their performance truly enhances the pride I feel in being the Civic Mayor of Tameside, and indeed without that special input the Mayoral team make, the whole experience wouldn’t quite be the same, for not only myself and the Mayoress, but for all those they come into contact with.
Many of you who follow this blog will know that I have been celebrating and acknowledging the incredible work of many of the council’s fantastic workforce during the first six months of my mayoral year, and of course this is set to continue during the second six months too. It’s a great pity that as the mayoral team form part of the process that allows me to perform this function, it wouldn’t be really possible for me to thank them in the same way, but I am on the lookout for a method of giving them the acknowledgement they deserve! These few words of appreciation and thanks may go a very small way to doing so.
Once again, the people of Montigny made us feel very welcome and treated us with great kindness. Francoise and I now look forward to being able to return some of the warm hospitality bestowed upon us when we welcome the Mayor of Montigny, Michel Laugier and his wife Agnes to Tameside in February for our Charity Valentine’s Ball.
Turning my attention to engagements at the start of last week, on Monday I had a great day at the annual Hyde District Assembly Pantomimes for local schoolchildren. These were engagements I attended in my role as Chair of the DA and not as Mayor but they were so successful and so much fun that I just had to give them a mention.
On Tuesday, I welcomed representatives of the Tameside Births, Marriages and Deaths Group to the Town Hall. This local group, with the assistance of volunteers from around the world, has to date transcribed more than one and half million written records of Tameside Births, Marriages and Deaths on a website and thereby lead the way in helping people trace their family histories online. At present the site covers all the Tameside Births (1837-2008) with Marriages and Deaths between 1837 and 1974 and more records are being added continually. With a keen interest in family history myself, I was delighted to meet the group and to learn more about their work.
Later, Francoise and I met with members of the 2nd Stalybridge Scout Group. It was lovely to meet the young people and their leaders and they seemed to really enjoy their visit to the Town Hall and tour of the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber. It was even more special as one young girl, Rebecca, was actually sworn in as a new scout in the Parlour, taking advantage of the special ambience that exists in there. I was proud too to be presented with a neckerchief by their leaders.
On Wednesday, we attended a beautiful Carol Service at the Bridgewater Hall 
in Manchester at the invitation of The Salvation Army and on Thursday, Francoise and I had a lovely evening with the Stalybridge Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows at their Annual District Carol Service at St Paul’s Church.
Earlier in the day, I called in at a 102nd birthday celebration at Chartist House in Hyde for resident, Mrs Nellie Lynne. It was a very special day for a very special lady and I was delighted to be able to offer my congratulations and good wishes. Nellie was born in Broadbottom and has lived most of her life in Hyde, and she is as bright as a button! She has certainly seen some changes in the world in her 102 years including the arrival of the first car in Broadbottom when she was a young girl.
And then, early on Friday morning, we left for France.
My sincere thanks go to the Deputy Mayor and her Consort for holding the fort whilst we were away and for attending engagements in our absence.
And just as we reach home, that brings another week to an end. Christmas is fast approaching and I know we are all on the festive countdown. Good luck with your shopping and Christmas preparations and thank you for joining me.
Hope to see you again soon.
Best wishes.
Hello everyone,
Thank you for joining me.
Well it has been another busy and exciting Mayoral week.
On Monday afternoon, I attended the UR-GOAL 4 LIFE Grand Celebration at Dukinfield Town Hall. The Children’s Nutrition Team at the Tameside & Glossop Primary Care Trust has been working on the UR-GOAL 4 LIFE Project in partnership with Healthy Schools and Tameside Council. It is a scheme that encourages children to choose healthier options at lunchtimes. To date, 23 Tameside Primary Schools have been involved in the scheme. The scheme is run with 10 schools at one time who compete against each other to score the most ‘goals’. Goals are scored based on the foods that are included in the lunchtime menus. I was delighted to attend the celebration event and to assist in awarding the schools with prizes and certificates for all their hard work.
Later, Francoise and I were pleased to welcome to the Mayor’s Parlour representatives of Carrbrook Bowling Club . As you may recall, the club very kindly hosted an event in September to help raise funds for my Charity Appeal Fund. Francoise and I were delighted to be able to repay some of their kindness and warm hospitality.
On Tuesday evening we had a meeting of Full Council. The November meeting traditionally includes the Mayor’s half yearly report and the Executive Leader of the Council’s State of the Area Address. It was an honour for me to address the Council and to speak about some of the many wonderful engagements I have attended over the last few months. I also gave a brief outline of some of the events I have planned for the second half of my year in office.
The Leader’s address was packed full of initiatives aimed at carbon reduction and value for money. In the speech he invited the people of Tameside to join the Council and participate in a campaign to save on two fronts: the environment and finance.
The driving force is seen as the green light and participation in 10:10 which is a 10-point scheme all can join in to make savings in recycling, reduced energy use, sensible purchase of food, use of public transportation and reduction of food waste. Thus not only helping the environment but saving considerable amounts of money. You can view the Leader’s speech via the Council’s website.
On Wednesday morning, I was joined in the Town Hall by some of the volunteers from the Tameside Hospital League of Friends. This wonderful group of people do a fantastic job raising money to buy much needed equipment for the hospital and I wanted to show my appreciation by inviting them into the Mayor’s Parlour for tea and cakes.
Later, I welcomed a selection of staff, volunteers and trustees from Willow Wood Hospice to the Parlour. Again, it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to acknowledge the work of very special people and to thank them for their efforts.
On Thursday morning, I was invited to record a message for a webcast which will be available on the Council website from mid December. Similar to the report which I delivered at the Council meeting on Tuesday evening, the message touches on some the engagements I have attended over the last few months and events I have planned for the future, as well as offering Christmas greetings and good wishes for the New Year.
On Thursday evening, Francoise and I were invited to the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Civic Reception at Manchester Town Hall. We had a wonderful time and it was good to see many community representatives present at the event. I even got to chat with football legend Sir Bobby Charlton and his charming wife for quite a while, about family ties with Manchester United back in the days of the ‘Busby Babes’.
On Friday afternoon, Francoise and I were very privileged to attend Ashton Probation Office on the occasion of the visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. As Civic Mayor and Mayoress, it was our duty and our honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to Tameside. It was a superb afternoon and a day we will remember always.
In the evening, we were invited to attend a special celebration at Dukinfield Town Hall as a thank you to all the community groups that contribute to the Tameside in Bloom Competition. Another fine example of how fortunate Tameside is to have such caring and dedicated people who are willing to donate their time and efforts to helping others and to making the Borough a better place to live and work.
On Saturday night, we were in Dukinfield for our final Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony. We had a brilliant evening with lots of fun and festive cheer, the perfect way to welcome in the Christmas Season.
To close the week, on Sunday evening, Francoise and I attended a beautiful Advent Service at Holy Trinity Church in Gee Cross at the invitation of the Hyde and District Fellowship of Churches.
And that brings another very special and memorable week to an end. I hope you enjoyed tuning in and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Many thanks
Well Christmas has certainly arrived here in Tameside this week!
Between us the Deputy Mayor and I have been busy switching on the Christmas Lights in Audenshaw, Droylsden, Ashton, Hyde and Stalybridge and we have had a terrific time. Despite the cold and in some cases, wet weather, the crowds were out in force to welcome in the festive season and, as always, the entertainment at each of the venues was superb. Well done to everybody who has worked so hard to put these events together and to make the evenings successful.
Away from the Christmas Lights Switch On events, on Wednesday morning, I was pleased to welcome to the Mayor’s Parlour Assistant Executive Director, Ilys Cookson and some of her team from the Council’s Exchequer and Support Services. It was the first time most of the guests had been into the Mayor’s Parlour and I was pleased to show them around and to have the opportunity to thank them for their hard work and dedicated service. Councillor Joe Kitchen, First Deputy also attended the event to offer his support and thanks.
On Wednesday evening, Francoise and I were joined in the Town Hall by Mr John Beaumont JP, Chairman of the Tameside Magistrates Bench and some of his colleagues. Mr Beaumont will be retiring from his position as Chair at the end of the year and I was pleased to host a reception in his honour in order to say thank you for his hard work and to offer good wishes for the future. It was also lovely to see so many of my colleagues from the Tameside Bench accompanying John. During my year as Civic Mayor, it has been necessary for me to take time off from my court duties, and so this was also a wonderful opportunity to 'catch up' with so many old friends.
On Thursday afternoon, Councillor Jim Fitzpatrick and myself attended a cheque presentation ceremony with representatives of the Tameside Talking News for the Blind.
As you may recall, last month, I hosted a reception for the Talking News Volunteers in the Town Hall. It was then that I became aware that the group was still labouring with a cassette recorder to record the weekly bulletins. I contacted Councillor Jim Fitzpatrick to ask if he would be willing to donate some money from his Cabinet Deputy budget to help the group update their equipment and he very kindly responded by presenting a cheque for £450. With this donation the volunteers will purchase a laptop so that future recordings can be done digitally.
To finish the week, Francoise and I attended the Tameside Youth Brass Band Festival on Sunday afternoon at Dukinfield Town Hall.
This annual competition is a very important occasion in Tameside’s brass band event calendar. The standard of music was very high and it was encouraging to see so many young, talented and dedicated brass band musicians competing in this event. As a musician myself, and indeed a one-time brass band player and conductor, I know the benefits and skills playing a musical instrument brings to an individual. The act of playing an instrument exercises more of the brain than just about any other activity, and the personal skills gained through solo and ensemble work are incredibly beneficial for the rest of their lives. It was fantastic to see so many skilled and accomplished young players from around the Greater Manchester area. It's great to see that the brass band movement is alive and well and flourishing in the part of the country where it was first born 200 years ago in 1809 with our own Stalybridge Old Band!
And that bring another Mayoral week to a close.
Thank you for joining me and I hope to see you again soon.
Kind regards
Hello everyone,
This week has the seen the start of our Christmas festivities here in Tameside.
On Monday, I was delighted to be asked to officially open the warehouse for this year’s Operation Christmas Child or ‘Shoebox Appeal’ . Operation Christmas Child is the UK’s largest children’s Christmas appeal and has been running for over 19 years.
Thanks to a huge army of volunteers who give their time to help make this Christmas ‘miracle' come to life, last year, over 1.2 million shoeboxes packed full of gifts and goodies were wrapped, packed and sent to children in disadvantaged situations by children and adults here in the UK. They may be small but the gifts inside a shoe box can change a child’s life and for some children, the shoe box could be the first Christmas present they have ever received in their lives. This simple act of generosity can give hope to children caught in the midst of wars, natural disasters and extreme poverty. It can make them feel special and valued and shows them they have not been forgotten. Donations will be accepted until the 27th November at the warehouse which is located at Unit 7, Plantation Industrial Estate, Whitelands Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. It is open between 10am and 8pm on Mondays to Fridays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays. Please support this very worthy cause.
Later, Francoise and I attended the Christmas Lights Switch On event in Denton Town Centre. It was a super evening and the turn out was brilliant even though it was a bitterly cold night with heavy fog. Everybody had a great time and it was a fantastic start to the Council’s festivities.
On Tuesday afternoon, I was joined in the Mayor’s Parlour by the Council’s Arts and Events Team and later by a small number of Council employees who have achieved their Level 3 Certificate in the Institute of Leadership and Management. As always it was a pleasure to be able to recognise the hard work and achievements of our staff and to say thank you and well done.
In the evening, Francoise and I were invited to Dukinfield Town Hall to attend a Vocational Awards Evening with students from Tameside College . It was a fabulous night and we were delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate the students and to wish them every happiness and success for the future.
On Wednesday morning, the 11th November, I was honoured to join Members of the Royal British Legion on the steps of Ashton Town Hall as Tameside joined the rest of the nation in observing a two-minute silence at 11am, to remember and to give thanks to all those people who gave their lives in the Two World Wars and the many conflicts since. Hundreds of people stopped to pay their respects and to join us in what was a very moving Act of Remembrance.
Later, Francoise and I joined the other Civic Heads of Greater Manchester at a Mayoral Reception at the Manchester Jewish Museum . It was an extremely interesting and enjoyable evening. We were all treated to a guided tour of the museum and learned a great deal about the lives of Jewish people in Manchester and their contribution to making the city what it is today. Sandwiched between Manchester Fort and the vibrant city centre, the museum is a real hidden treasure. It is located in a former Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue on Cheetham Hill Road and is the oldest surviving synagogue building in Manchester, completed in 1874. It has a wonderful story to tell and is definitely worth a visit.
On Thursday morning, I was invited to attend a Graduation Ceremony for students who have completed a 16 week training course with Addiction Dependency Solutions. The course is aimed at ex-alcohol and drug users with a view to them becoming support workers in this field. They were a terrific bunch of people and it was fantastic to see how well they have done and how they have managed to turn their lives around and are now concentrating their efforts on helping others.
In the evening, Francoise and I, accompanied by our son Ben, attended the Annual Prize Giving at All Saints Catholic College in Dukinfield. As a former student at All Saints, Ben received his certificates during the evening. It was a very proud occasion for us all, one that was made even more special by the fact that Francoise and I could be there not only as proud parents but also as Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough.
On Friday, I was pleased to attend the Home-Start Tameside Annual General Meeting at Hyde Town Hall. As well as a formal business meeting, the event also allowed the opportunity for the organisation to thank and acknowledge the tremendous work of its volunteers. The Borough is indeed very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people working within our local community. The hard work, care and support the Home-Start volunteers devote to the families of Tameside is invaluable and their friendship and guidance means so much to the people they visit. They really do deserve every credit and I was pleased to be able to express my thanks and support.
On Saturday, Francoise and I visited the South Manchester Synagogue in Bowden for their Annual Civic and Remembrance Service. It was a lovely service attended by all the Civic Heads of Greater Manchester and we were made to feel very welcome.
There were no engagements on Sunday so that brings another Mayoral week to a close.
Thank you for joining me and I hope to see you again soon.
Kind regards
Hello everyone.
Thank you for joining me.
Engagements this week began on Monday lunchtime when I was invited to pop along to the local heat of the LACA School Chef of the Year Competition .
The event was held at Tameside College and throughout the morning school chefs from across the Borough had been competing to create the winning menu all set to a budget of £1.25 per head. Christine Pearson who works at The Heys Primary School in Ashton stole the show with her delicious dish of salmon, salad and mash followed by a superb dessert of a frosted chocolate and raspberry muffin, raspberry jelly and a summer fruit salad. Christine will now go forward to represent Tameside in the North West Regional Finals in January and I’m sure you will all join me in wishing her the very best of luck for the competition.
On Monday evening, Francoise and I were honoured to attend a wreath laying ceremony with the Members of the Hyde Branch of the Royal British Legion outside Hyde Town Hall. This event is held in the small garden at the front of the Town Hall to mark the start of Poppy Appeal Week each year.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was the fourth in my series of receptions to acknowledge the work of Council employees. This time I was joined by some of our Patrollers and staff from the Community Safety Unit. We had a lovely afternoon and once again, the Chief Executive and myself were delighted to be able to have the opportunity to offer our thanks and congratulations for the wonderful work that takes place in the Borough.
On Tuesday evening, at the request of Councillor Brian Wild, Francoise and I were pleased to be able to welcome to the Mayor’s Parlour community workers from Dukinfield. Guests included District Assembly and Town Hall staff along with community volunteers. Once again this was an event to say thank you and well done to people whose work makes a real difference to the life of the local community.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Wednesday, but on Thursday afternoon I was joined in the Mayor’s Parlour by Council employees who have achieved Levels 1 or 2 in Literacy and Numeracy as part of the Council’s commitment to the ‘Skills Pledge’. The Skills Pledge offers training to employees who may not have previously had the opportunity to continue their learning and development. It was a pleasure to meet the team, congratulate them on their wonderful achievements and to present them with their certificates.
There were no Mayoral engagements on Friday but on Saturday, Francoise and I attended a superb concert at Stalybridge Civic Hall courtesy of the Stalybridge Old Band . The event was held as part of the band’s bi-centenary celebrations and, quite appropriately on this Remembrance weekend, it took on a theme of ‘the War years’. The band was brilliant as always and it really was a fantastic concert and a very memorable evening.
Of course on Sunday it was Remembrance Day. Francoise and I felt very proud to join the Members of the Royal British Legion in leading parades and services in the towns of Ashton and Hyde. The attendance and public support was overwhelming at all the events held across the Borough and it really was a very moving day as people came together to remember and pay tribute to all those people who gave their lives in the Two World Wars and the many conflicts since.
We were made aware of the presence of a young soldier from the Mercian Regiment at the Hyde parade. He was on the last day of his two-week leave from Afghanistan, and it was deeply moving to realise that he had chosen to spend that last day, honouring the fallen, foregoing the chance to spend those last precious hours with his young family who have just moved into Godley, Hyde. We invited him to walk with us at the head of the parade on the return march to Hyde Town Hall, where he told me that he had spent the morning at the Remembrance parade in Broadbottom. This incredible young soldier received a justly deserved standing ovation in St Thomas’ church when those of us gathered there were told of his presence. Even more poignantly, he told me that he was sent to Iraq two years ago, on the day of his baby’s birth, and he was returning to Catterick on Monday, in preparation for his return to Afghanistan, just two days before the second birthday of his child. It was a real privilege and an honour to spend some time with this remarkable young man.
On Wednesday next week, the 11th November, I will be attending the Royal British Legion’s Annual Act of Remembrance on the steps of Ashton Town Hall. The ceremony will include a two-minute silence at 11am, the time the guns fell silent to end the First World War in 1918. Similar events will be held throughout the country at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and I hope as many people as possible will observe the two minute silence and take the time to reflect on and remember the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.
Thank you.
I hope to see you soon.
Kind regards