Madam Mayor's Diary
Friday 1 August
We were guests at the official opening of the sensory garden at Beechfield Residential Home by the Minister for Older People, Ivan Lewis MP. The garden is a beautiful place for residents and their guests to sit and chat and is a credit to the staff.
Saturday 2 August
We attended a music and dance festival organised by young members of Westwood Park Youth Club held in Winton Park. The young people really enjoyed themselves. Thank you for all the hard work, once again our young people are saying “give us the tools and we can do the job”.
In the afternoon we attended the Static Display of classic and vintage cars held at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester .There were some really brilliant cars there including a classic Ford T built in Manchester in 1913.
Sunday 3 August
We were the guests of the Vintage and Classic Car Club on a run from Manchester through to Maccesfield and Tatton Park to the Children’s Adventure Farm at Lymm. This farm is run entirely on donations and provides short stay accommodation for disabled and disadvantaged children. The run was really enjoyable and we got to ride in the Ford T which was really comfortable. The farm has to be seen to be believed with luxury accommodation and facilities.
It was a really enjoyable day and the charity it raised money for is one of the most deserving I have seen.
Wednesday 6 August
The Mayoress and I judged a Garden Competition at the new housing development at Camp Street in Broughton. There were a variety of themes and they all deserved a prize - it was really hard to choose one. The community spirit which is growing in this new housing development is really good to see. Neighbours shared the prize money as they felt they had all worked hard.
In the afternoon we attended a Memorial Service held to remember the tragic deaths of two friends Jodie Webb and Joanne Greenwood who were killed in a car accident when they were celebrating Jodie’s 21st birthday. The event was arranged by RoadPeace and the names of other people killed on Greater Manchester’s roads were also read out.
Friday 8 August
Along with other Mayors and Mayoresses, myself and my guest Mrs. Christine Hudson attended a Civic Tour of Tameside as guests of the Mayor and Mayoress. We toured the Local History Museum, sailed down the canal then visited the Roman History Museum and then the Museum of the Manchester Regiment. It was a very interesting day.
Sunday 10 August
Mrs. Christine Hudson and I attended the Adam Day event held in Manchester. This event is held to remind us that although we have different religious, cultural and racial beliefs we are really all descendents from Adam and we should show tolerance and celebrate that difference not use it as an excuse to hurt each other.
Wednesday 13 August
It gave me real pleasure to return to Salford Royal Hospital to open the expanded Haemodialysis unit. This unit provides support to patients from across the region who need kidney dialysis on a regular basis and will provide a brighter and bigger unit for patients’ comfort. Congratulations to all staff involved, it’s good to know we have such dedicated people working at our local hospital.
In the evening we attended the presentation ceremony for a group of young people who have completed a 15 week course to help them gain entry into the armed services. They had all worked really hard and gained qualifications fitness and life skills, tasters of military life and orienteering. Congratulations to all of them and good luck for the future.
Thursday 14 August
Together with the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester we attended the 61st Anniversary of India’s Independence and a celebration of the 25th year of the Indian senior citizens day centre in Manchester. They provide a luncheon club and preventative health care in a culturally sensitive way to people from the Greater Manchester area. Again congratulations on your achievements.
In the evening we attended a presentation event held by the Princes Trust at Manchester United’s ground to celebrate the conclusion of twelve weeks training for a group of young people to equip them with skills for life and to present them with their awards. We had met this group of young people before as part of their course was to renovate the youth centre at Clifton. Congratulations to all who took part and good luck for the future, as I said at the presentation Salford are proud of you.
Friday 15 August
We attended a Neighbour’s Natter party held in Swinton. It was an opportunity to sit in the garden, enjoy a cup of tea and a cake and talk to your neighbours. The event raises money for various charities and we really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you to Ron for his hospitality.
In the evening we opened Fresh Choice bakery in Ordsall - this is bringing jobs into that area and shows real enterprise by the owners.
Sunday 17 August
We attended the Annual Church Service of the Royal British Legion and also the 60th Anniversary of the Women’s section. It was a very moving service with contributions by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the Chairman of the Women’s section.
The band of the Lancashire Fusiliers Association provided the music for the service and the banners of the Royal British legion were carried by the various standard bearers.
Later we presented prizes to the winners of the Salford Dragon boat Race held at Salford Quays water sports centre. The competition was very keen and we were amazed at the stamina of the crews, they had been taking part since early morning. Teams taking part raise money for various charities and everyone enjoyed themselves. Congratulations to the organisers who are the Manchester Oriental Alliance.
Tuesday 19 August
I was interviewed by Jean Blainey from Salford City Radio, it was a live broadcast and Jean asked me some very interesting questions about the Mayor’s role and different aspects of the functions we attend. The interview was an hour long, but seemed to pass in minutes, something I really enjoyed and would certainly like to do again, perhaps with questions from the listeners
In the afternoon I was present at the swearing in of more than forty new citizens to Salford. On behalf of the City it was my pleasure to welcome them.
Wednesday 20 August
I opened the Brookhouse Drop In Centre which will provide a drop in meeting place for residents of Brookhouse and will also be used to facilitate meeting with local agencies, police, housing, social services and local councillors. Well done to the residents’ association for all your hard work
Sunday 24 August
We attended the Salford Show at Buile Hill organised by the Friends of Buile Hill. It was very well attended and everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank you to the people who organise the day, it does take a lot of hard work.
We also had the privilege to raise the Olympic flag for Salford and were presented with the flag by Chinese delegates after an impressive Lion dance. It was a very proud moment for me.
In the evening we presented the prizes for the Finals of a singing competition arranged by Taylors Sports and Social Club held at the Willows Variety club. Again the amount of talent was really amazing, the confidence of the performers was impressive - some were under sixteen years old and all of them deserved to win.
This page was last updated on 4 October 2009
