Mr Mayor's Diary
Saturday 1st April
We attended a Gulf Medal Presentation at the Territorial Army Centre, Manchester Road, Clifton. The presentations were made by Major General The Duke of Westminister. There were some 30 soldiers receiving medals for there duties in Iraq and after the presentations the Major thanked families and employers for backing the soldiers in what they were doing. It was interesting to talk to some of the soldiers about the work they do.
Monday 3rd April
We attended a Civic Tour of Oldham with other Mayors and Mayoresses of Greater Manchester. The tour finished off with a trip to some of the villages round Saddleworth, a lovely area. Many thanks to Kay and Jim the Mayor and Consort for Oldham for a truly fantastic day. Later in the evening we hosted a reception for St Lukes Arts and Drama Society in The Mayors Parlour. This was a way of saying thank you for all the hard work they put in. We have had the honour of going to three of their performances and have really enjoyed them. At the end of the evening we showed them into the Council Chamber and explained how the monthly Council meeting was run.
Tuesday 4th April
We attended the opening of a new play area at St Mary's Park, off Grosvenor Road, Walkden. What a reception we received from the children when we arrived, a big thank you for that, this was funded from 106 monies following a development in the area, Pupils, staff and parents from North Walkden Primary School have played a very important part throughout the consultations for this play area. We spoke to some of the children after the official opening and they couldn't wait to get onto all the equipment that was there. We went from here back to the Civic Centre to assist in the judging of entries for a new logo for the St Ouen Twinning Association. This was not an easy task the results will be announced next week.
Later in the evening we attended the official opening of the Marsquest Exhibition at The Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester along with The Lord Mayor of Manchester. I found this very interesting the reason being that I knew nothing about Mars at all. I always thought it was a bar of chocolate, but when you look in depth to all the work that is going into exploring this planet, it is amazing. Later in the evening we took part in a radio interview at BBC, Radio Manchester. I was introduced by Phil Wood as The Mayor of Manchester he soon got put in his place not only by me but his co presenter Gail Sullivan as well. They asked us what our roll was as Mayor and Mayoress and what we thought of the job, then they brought our attendant Frank in and asked him to outline his job we all had an interesting time there.
Wednesday 5th April
We presented Service Excellence Awards to staff in the Mayor's Parlour, well done to everyone for the outstanding work you have done.
Thursday 6th April
We hosted a reception, in the Mayors Parlour, for the winners of Salford Foundation "Through The Eyes of a Child" Calendar Competition 2006. These children have great talents as far as art is concerned and their parents must be very proud of them. We spoke to all the children and then after something to eat and drink showed them into the Council Chamber.
Sunday 9th April
We attended a rugby match between Swinton Lions and Barrow at Sedgley Park Rugby Ground. We had a really great time here it was a nail biting match but Swinton Lions were winners 22-20. Many thanks to the chairman and directors for the welcome they gave us.
Monday 10th April
I chaired a meeting of my Charity Committee in the Mayor's Parlour, just to go through events that had been held and to discuss future events. Next, I chaired a meeting of the Council Agenda Setting Group to go through the agenda for the April Council Meeting. Later we met with Valerie Ivison in the Mayors Parlour to discuss the Lowry-Worktown Project. Valerie will be involved in exhibiting part of the life in our city. She has been going around the city taking photographs of as many places as she can and has taken some around the Civic Centre, including us in the Mayors Parlour. The work will be exhibited at The Lowry in September and will become a permanent record of Salford in 2006.
Tuesday 11th April
We attended the Lord Lieutenants "Lieutenancy Reception" at Ordsall Hall. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Manchester were there along with all the Mayor's of the Greater Manchester area and other dignitaries. It was an excellent evening, many thanks to the staff from Ordsall Hall and Citywide you did the city proud.
Wednesday 12th April
We attended the Albert Park Bowling Club, Annual Bowling Match in Albert Park, Grecian Street, Salford. We spent a lovely afternoon here, a lot of hard work has gone into getting this bowling club off the ground, they have got a great club house and facilities. They had me playing bowls, what a laugh. Many thanks for the collection for my charities, it is very much appreciated. Later in the evening we hosted a reception in The Mayors Parlour for the winners of the St Ouen Logo Competition. The winners of each age group attended with their parents. We spoke to all the children and their parents and it was plain to see there were some very proud mums and dads there. The overall winner was a pupil from St Georges RC High School. In future the logo will be used on all correspondence between Salford and St Ouen.
Saturday 15th April
We attended the Centenary Dinner of Eccles Amateur Swimming Club at The Monton House Hotel, Monton Road, Monton. We received a warm reception from the President and Chairman when we arrived. The evening was fantastic and as I said on the night we didn't want to leave. Many thanks for the hospitality shown to us it will be a night we wont forget in a hurry.
Tuesday 18th April
We attended a Citizenship Ceremony at Salford Civic Centre, Swinton.This month 35 people received the honour of becoming British Citizens. After the ceremony they joined us in the Mayor's Parlour for a drink and a chat.
Wednesday 19th April
We hosted a reception in the Mayor's Parlour, for the Mayor's Citizen Award Winner for April, Cannon Liam Houlihan of St. Sebastians Church, Salford. He was nominated by Councillor Joe Murphy and seconded by Ann Marie Pickup a parishioner. The award was made for the outstanding work he has done in the community where he has been Parish Priest for over 20 years. Tributes were made by Councillors Hulmes, Warmisham, Garrido and Owen. This was followed by the monthly Council Meeting.
Thursday 20th April
We met with visitors from Canada in the company of Councillor Bernard Lea. We had a very nice time learning about their home country and we gave them a tour of the Town Hall.
Friday 21st April
We hosted the Manchester Consular Association Dinner at Buille Hill Park Banqueting Suite. Consuls from many different countries attended and it proved to be an excellent night where our City was promoted. Many thanks to the staff at Buile Hill for their hard work.
Saturday 22nd April
We attended Salford Choral Society Concert of Bach's St Matthews Passion, at Haden- Freeman Concert Hall, Royal College of Music, Manchester. We were made to feel so welcome and the evening was superb. Many thanks
Sunday, 23rd April
We attended a reception prior to the Gallipoli Service, in the Mayor's Parlour at Bury Town Hall. Also in attendance were other Mayors and Mayoresses from all over Lancashire. We then went in procession to the Annual Gallipoli Commemoration Service, at Bury Parish Church. The service was very well attended and as it was also St Georges Day this made the occasion even more special. After the service we spoke to a few retired soldiers.
Monday 24th April
We met with members of the Czech Student Choir in the Mayor's Parlour. We then took them into the Council Chamber where I explained how a Council meeting was run and then in return they asked lots of questions. As they didn't have much time to stay they all grouped themselves together and sang for us, it was a very moving experience. Later in the afternoon we went to visit The Withies, Worsley Road, Winton, to attend the 100th birthday party of Harriet McCormack. There were a lot of people there to celebrate this great occasion, her daughter must have been very proud. When Harriet saw me she said "I remember you when you were a young lad and you still have that cheeky grin." Later in the evening we attended a dinner at Manchester Town Hall. The Lord Lieutenant, The High Sheriff and other Mayor's of the Greater Manchester area were there. This is an annual event where every one gets together as the Mayoral Year is close to finishing and the Lord Mayor of Manchester is says his farewells.
Tuesday 25th April
We went around the Civic Centre with members of the Charity Committee to sell raffle tickets for the Charity Ball on Friday 28th April. We then met with representatives from Walkden Rotary Club in the Mayors Parlour along with their visitors from Japan. We were given a demonstration by one of the Japanese visitors using a Samaria Sword. I thought the lights in the Parlour were going to be broken! The next thing I knew was the sword was inches from my nose. We then showed them into the Council Chamber for a tour. Later we attended the opening of the newly refurbished Irlam and Cadishead Citizens Advice Bureau on Liverpool Road, Irlam. Being there brought back a lot of happy memories to me because when I first became a Councillor I was on their management committee so I know how the community of Irlam and Cadishead value the Bureau. While we were there we judged an art competition. Many thanks for the welcome we received and we wish you well for the future. We went from there back to the Civic Centre to finish off the raffle for the Charity Ball on Friday 28th April. We later attended the Jewish Representative Council, Commemoration of Yon Hashoah, at King David High School, Eaton Road, Crumpsall. The Lord Lieutenant, The High Sheriff other Mayor's from the Greater Manchester area and members of Greater Manchester Police Force were also there. This was quite moving, slides were shown and a play was acted out by pupils from King David School. Tributes were made by the grandchildren of some of the victims of this awful tragedy.
Wednesday 26th April
We attended the Unison Retired Members Annual Luncheon at Monton House Hotel, Monton. We had a great time there and many thanks for the welcome you gave us and also for the donation you gave to me for the Mayors Charity. Later in the evening we attended a concert performed by the Czech Student Choir at St Peter and Paul's Church, Park Road, Salford. This was a fantastic night not only were we entertained by the Czech Students but also by All Saints Choral Society. The church was filled to capacity.
Thursday 27th April
We attended the Chief Constable's Lunch at Sedgeley Park Centre, Sedgeley Park Road, Prestwich along with the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Manchester and all the other Mayors from Greater Manchester. This again is an annual event where the Chief Constable thanks all the Mayor's and local authorities for the support given to the GMP over the past twelve months. The Lord Mayor replies on behalf of all the other Mayor's.
Friday 28th April
We attended a Civic Tour of Rochdale commencing at the Touchstone Museum. It was a very enjoyable tour and we were shown the exact place where the Co-operative Movement was started. Many thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale for a great day. Later in the evening we hosted The Mayors Charity Ball at the Willows Variety Centre. This was a great night and we were entertained by the band Absolute 80s. A substantial amount of money was raised for the Mayors Charity and I would like to thank everyone who supported the night and hope you all had a good time.
Saturday 29th April
We attended a screening of a Road Safety Film "Rewind" at The Red Cinema, Salford Quays. This was put on by young people from The Links, Eccles. It was very well performed and really got the point over about Road Safety.
Sunday 30th April
We attended the opening of the newly refurbished Regent Square Park, Ordsall. A lot of work has gone into refurbishing this park and it was good to see all the young people there enjoying themselves. We spoke to quite a few of them and some of the residents from the area. It is good to see partnerships working together i.e. The Community, The City Council and The Co-op.
This page was last updated on 4 October 2009
