Mr Mayor's Diary: December 2006
Monday 4 December
This afternoon we helped youngsters from Y5 at St Mark’s RC Primary School, Clifton, to bury a time capsule on the Wimpey development next door to their school on Queensway. The children had gathered the materials for the capsule and included a class photo and stories and art work. We put in a Council Year Book and Diary from the city council. Then we buried the capsule in the garden of one of the houses to be rediscovered some time in the future!
That evening we attended the Salvation Army Reception and Christmas Carol Concert at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. We sang our hearts out and thoroughly enjoyed the band sound in that hall. Young members of the church performed a beautiful Nativity Tableau and we were treated to some old unaccompanied carols from a talented trio.
Tuesday 5 December
After attending a family funeral earlier in the day, we went along to the St George’s Centre on Cromwell Road, Pendleton to attend the Christmas Social of the Stroke Club. We met the large group of cheerful members and joined in the dancing and game of bingo. This group meets once a month at the club and has a full programme of activities which members support and lead.
Wednesday 6 December
This afternoon I chaired an extraordinary meeting of the city council called to complete outstanding business.
In the evening we were guests of the St Luke’s Arts and Drama Society (SLADS) annual Christmas Party at the Parish Hall in Derby Road, Weaste. This annual party is given by members for the local elderly people and PHAB club, the members cooking and serving the lovely Christmas meal and then entertaining us with a carol concert. They worked extremely hard and we all had a thoroughly good time. The drama group has been going for forty five years and has several generations of families amongst its members.
Thursday 7 December
We attended an Administration meeting at the Civic Centre and then went along to the William Jones Building in Mainprice Close on Eccles Old Road where we were guests of the Booth Charities Committee for their Festive Buffet. It was lovely to meet up again with old friends and colleagues from the Charity. The Booth Charities do wonderful work for the people of Salford with the funds made available through the great foresight and generosity of Humphrey Booth in 1640!
In the early evening we were privileged to attend the unveiling of an embroidered wall hanging at Deans Court Chambers in St John Street, Manchester. All the embroidery has been produced by long-term prisoners from prisons around the country. The prisoners are taught to embroider by volunteers who are part of the Fine Cell organisation which was founded by the sister-in-law of one of the barristers in the Chambers. The work is first-class in design and production and is made up into cushions, wall hangings or mounted in frames. Eighty one prisoners had contributed to the design being unveiled. Each prisoner can use the profit from their sale to send to support their family. Unfortunately Lord Bingham who was to unveil the hanging was delayed in London by the effects of the typhoon on the railway system as was the Bishop of Salford, Terence Brain who should have been chief celebrant at our next engagement, the CAFOD (Catholic Fund for Overseas Development) Advent Carol Service at Salford Cathedral. The bishop missed a beautiful service of readings and carols with a strong multicultural flavour and some lovely musical contributions from St Malachy’s School in Collyhurst.
Friday 8 December
We travelled to Southport, to The Salfordian for the unveiling of the William Jones Memorial Garden. William Jones was the Chairman of Booths Charities until his sudden death last year. The garden was part of an improvement programme funded by Booths Charities and it was decided to name the garden after Mr Jones in memory of his excellent work for Booths, the ceremony taking place, as it happened, on the anniversary of his death.
After a lovely lunch provided by the staff of The Salfordian and shared with Salford residents on holiday there, we returned to Salford, to the Ellesmere Centre in Walkden where we were treated to music and song from the excellent choir of Walkden High School and some more mince pies! Several local schools were taking part during the weekend in the event organised by the tireless Rotarians of Walkden. Well done to them. We couldn’t stay for long as we were expected in Cadishead for the pensioners Christmas party in the Labour Club where we had a lovely time in the good company of the members and last year’s Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor James and Mrs Lynda Hunt. It was lovely to meet up with them again.
Well, we had to rush off from there to get ourselves ready for the twenty-fifth anniversary dinner and dance of St Sebastian’s Community Centre at Douglas Green, Pendleton. This was a wonderful evening when people came from near and far to celebrate this great event. We look forward to celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of this centre!
Saturday 9 December
I attended the exciting Derby Match between Manchester City and United at Old Trafford. My allegiance to one of these teams is strong!
Sunday 10 December
This afternoon we were delighted to be guests of Sarnia Court Residents’ Association at their Christmas Social event in the Star Inn, Back Hope Street, Broughton. The residents made us very welcome and we admired their well-deserved award for best kept gardens along with the beautiful photographs on display. The residents certainly work well together to keep a high standard of environment in their community.
To finish a very busy week, time for another Christmas service at Salford Cathedral; this time with Age Concern, an evening of readings and songs. We were treated to some wonderful music and singing from some excellent soloists and choirs and organist. It was a moving evening and followed by convivial mince pies and tea.
This page was last updated on 31 January 2007
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