Mr Mayor's Diary
Monday 5 February
We attended the official opening of Salford City Academy, Northfleet Road, Peel Green, Eccles. The actual unveiling was performed by Alex Ferguson of Manchester United fame. The Bishop of Manchester, Nigel McCulloch was also present. We toured part of the school which is a superb building and well appreciated by the young people and teachers who work there. Every student has a locker; the corridors are wide and light, and there is a lift to name but a few of the facilities. We were entertained by some excellent musicians, dancers and singers who showed themselves true professionals when the sound equipment had a blip! We wish the Principal, staff and students every success in this marvellous centre which has been built in a partnership of the Church of England and The United Learning Trust.
In the evening we were guests of the Rotary Club of Eccles at their 74th Charter Anniversary Dinner at Hemsley House, The Crescent. This was a very convivial occasion with a group of people who quietly do a huge amount of charity work in Salford. The Rotarians are a group of people of different faiths, cultures and political backgrounds who leave all that aside to meet to enjoy each others company and at the same time to raise funds for charitable work, much of which is local. New members are always welcome.
Tuesday 6 February
Today the Grand Raffle Ticket sellers visited Turnpike House and NPHL buildings and thank staff for their generosity.
In the afternoon, we were invited to open the newly renovated play area at George Thomas Playground, Princes Park, Liverpool Road, Irlam. We met children from Irlam Primary and Fiddlers Lane Primary schools who had helped design the new ground with support from staff in the Arts Service and Neighbourhood Management. We were very impressed. The children helped to cut the ribbon and then went to play on the new equipment. Let’s hope it serves them and growing youngsters for many years to come.
Wednesday 7 February
I was a guest of the Football Association for the international match between England and Spain at Old Trafford and an exciting evening that was too!
Saturday 10 February
We attended the Mayor of Rochdale’s Grand Civic and Charity Ball at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall. We had a wonderful evening and met up again with mayoral colleagues from all over Greater Manchester; hopefully we raised a lot of money for the Mayor of Rochdale’s Charities too.
Monday 12 February
I chaired a meeting of my Charity Committee and then the Council Agenda Setting Group at the Civic Centre. Later in the day we attended another meeting to discuss the possibility of a street fair in Salford.
Wednesday 14 February
Today, quite coincidentally on St Valentine’s Day, the Loving Cup of England arrived in Salford as part of its journey to each of the fifty cities of England. The Loving Cup Group brought the Cup to the parlour as a sign of unity for the people of Salford and for the cities of England. This was an ancient custom which has been revived. We had a welcome committee in the parlour of Salfordians of all different faiths and cultures and abilities, which represent diversity in our city. It was a lovely occasion and hopefully, the first of many more such visits. Unfortunately the Mayoress was indisposed and had to miss this and our attendance at a production of “King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table” by SLADS at St Luke’s Church Hall, Weaste. This was an excellent pantomime.
Thursday 15 February
We joined members of St George’s Handicapped and Able-Bodied Club for their 25th Anniversary Celebrations. More than 100 members attended for buffet, bingo and entertainment. This club enables many people to have a safe and friendly evening out and the dedicated committee members are to be congratulated.
Friday16 February
I attended the Captain’s Annual Dinner at Swinton Park Golf Club where I met a number of dedicated golfers and enjoyed a very sociable evening.
Sunday 18 February
Along with many other Mayors of Greater Manchester and Lancashire, we attended the Lions Club International Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving at Blackburn Cathedral. The Lions, like the Rotarians, do an enormous amount of significant work helping people and causes less fortunate than themselves. Their members, from many backgrounds, come together without reference to their political or religious affiliations to socialise with each other and at the same time to improve the lot of others. Darwen Cathedral is magnificent and well worth a visit if you have never been and an excellent setting for this moving service. We visited the crypt afterwards, which houses an excellent café and shop!
Monday 19 February
Today, we were privileged to present about 100 NVQ certificates to staff working within Community Health and Social Care and the Childrens’ Services department. The recipients their colleagues and manager gave their support. We shared a lovely lunch which was well deserved by the recipients of the awards. Everyone should be justly proud of their achievements which have contributed to Salford being a national leader in Social Care as well as huge personal professional achievement for each individual. Well done!
Later, we attended a dinner, as guests of the Chinese Consulate, at the Ocean Treasure Restaurant in Middleton to celebrate Chinese New Year. This New Year is that of the Pig, not just any pig, but this year the Golden Pig which makes it a lucky year for anyone born in the year of the Pig! We sampled many traditional Chinese dishes made specially for such a festive occasion and we were entertained by excellent musicians and traditional Chinese Dancers who performed provincial Chinese dance in wonderfully colourful costumes as well as the traditional Lion Dance. There were very many guests and we had a wonderful evening.
Tuesday 20 February
We spent a couple of hours in the morning selling the tickets for the Grand Raffle around Council workplaces raising nearly £200 from generous workers.
In the afternoon we attended the Citizenship Ceremony in the Council Chamber where we welcomed about 20 new British Citizens whose origins ranged world-wide.
Wednesday 21 February
Council Day. After a briefing meeting about the Council, we welcomed my Citizen of the Month: Mrs Pamela Corps and her nominator and family to the parlour for lunch. Mrs Corps received her award at the beginning of the Council meeting for her service to people with mental ill-health and particularly to Cromwell House, being an outstanding volunteer there. Having overcome mental illness herself, Mrs Corps uses her talents and ideas to develop services at Cromwell House for others. Following the award, I chaired the usual monthly meeting of full council. There was no one in the public gallery this month.
Thursday 22 February
This evening, we were guests of the British-Israel Chamber of Commerce at their joint Gala Dinner at the Victoria and Albert Hotel, Water Street. This was a lovely setting for a very interesting evening where the key speaker was the Finance Minister for Israel. He had just come from London where he had been speaking with Gordon Brown and had to leave early to return to Israel to sort out a power workers’ strike.
Friday 23 February
We attended an Administration Meeting at the Civic Centre. Later we travelled to Cadishead for an excellent evening with the Cadishead Silver Band who had set up a concert in aid of my charities. This was held at the Irlam Catholic club and was superb entertainment and raised over £300 for the charities. Thanks to Councillor Christine Hudson for arranging everything and to the band for their great spirit.
Saturday 24 February
Today was International Language Day! This was set up initially by the Bangladeshi people to celebrate their own language survival in Bengal after the division of East and West Pakistan into Pakistan and Bangladesh. This is now spreading as an international day – and is celebrated in Quebec by French-speaking people. We attended the celebration with the Bangladeshi Medical Association from all over Great Britain. There were speeches, readings and poetry – all in Bengali – as the group celebrated the continuance of their ancient Sanskrit language. Of course there were bits in English for our benefit! We shared food with the group and enjoyed their hospitality.
In the evening we hosted our Charity Dinner at the Lowry Hotel. Attended by nearly 300 people it had a “Casino Royale” theme complete with roulette wheels and card tables (charity only, courtesy of Albion Casino). We enjoyed music by the Neville Duckworth Quartet, the Rat Pack, Jensen de Groover Disco and were delighted by the singing of Jon Christos and Hannah Clarke. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and hopefully we have swelled the charity-fund coffers significantly!
This page was last updated on 29 May 2007
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