Mr Mayor's Diary
Thursday 1 December
We hosted a reception in the Mayors Parlour, prepared by pupils from Harrop Fold High School, for visiting students from Salford's Twin Towns. There were about 30 students from our twin towns in France, St Ouen, Clermount Ferrand and Narbonne. The buffet was excellent well done again to the magnificent seven from Harrop Fold, the visiting students from our twin towns enjoyed it. We had a talk with our guests and showed them round the council chamber.
Friday 2 December
We attended the Mayor of Bury's Civic Reception, Dinner and Ball at the Longfield Suite, Prestwich. Also in attendance were The Lord Lieutenant, The High Sheriff, The Lord Mayor of Manchester and all the other Mayors from the Greater Manchester area.
Saturday 3 December
We attended The Pin (People in Need) Project Service of Choral Evensong at Manchester Cathedral. This was a really good service and was to highlight the widespread cases of aids in South Africa. We don’t realise how lucky we are in this country to have things like water to our houses and the sanitation methods that we have here. To listen to people that have been out there and have witnessed what goes on was a real eye opener. The music supplied by the cathedral choir was excellent and a group of children entertained us to a song sung in south African. Many thanks to everyone concerned. From here we went on to attend the Irlam and Cadishead Handicapped Persons Group Christmas Party at Preston Hall, Irlam. As usual a fantastic evening was provided by the regulars of the Coach and Horses Public House Cadishead. Many thanks to every one concerned for your time and effort.
Sunday 4 December
We attended the St Johns Ambulance Service Carol Service at St Matthews Church Sretford. The High Sheriff, The Lord Mayor of Manchester and some of the other Mayors from the Greater Manchester Area we also there. After the service we went into the church hall for a chat and a drink and a few mince pies a most enjoyable afternoon.
Monday 5 December
We attended the Brain and Spinal injury Charity (Basic) Christmas Cafe and Storytelling Tour at the Neurocare Centre, Eccles New Road. This was a great afternoon, we had a lovely time chatting with lots of people and the story telling was excellent. We left here to attend a concert performed by Cadishead Public Band at Irlam Catholic Club. As usual the band were excellent and like I said on the night if I could give points the main Band would get 8 and the B Band would get 10 (only joking). Thank you all for a lovely night.
Tuesday 6 December
I chaired a meeting of my Charity Committee in the Mayors Parlour just to go through future events that were planned. We then attended the Salford Children's Holiday Camp AGM in a committee room at the Civic Centre. I chaired the main part of the AGM then handed over to Councillor Bernard Pennington to go through any other business that was on the agenda. Later in the evening we attended Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Carol Service at St Ann's Church, St Ann's Square, Manchester. The service was great, children acted out the story of Ebeneeza Scrooge, it was a really good night. We went from here to the Fire and Rescue Training centre in Manchester where we were entertained to music from a brass band. The Deputy Mayor of Tameside and the Deputy Mayoress of Rochdale were also there.
Wednesday 7 December
We attended St Luke's Art and Drama Society Christmas Party at St Luke's Parish Hall, Liverpool Road, Salford. We had a great time here the meal was first class many thanks to every one concerned.
Thursday 8 December
We attended Booth Charities informal Christmas Lunch at Midwood Hall Community Room, Eccles Old Road. We spoke to a lot of people here and had a good time. Later in the evening we attended a Charity Sportspersons evening at The Willows Variety Centre, Salford. This was a really great evening, the comedian was good and not to mention the Guest Speaker John Wilkinson, Chairman of Salford Reds. Many thanks to everyone who turned up to support this event and who helped raise money for my three charities..
Friday 9 December
We attended the opening of Naz Restaurant in Monton, also in attendance were Ian Stewart MP and local councillors. We had something to eat and drink and had a talk with the owner. Later in the evening we hosted a welcome meal for visitors from Lunen, one of Salford's Twin Towns, in the Mayors Parlour. We had a great time with the visitors.
Saturday 10 December
We attended the Eccles Churches Together Carol Service, Eccles Cross, Church Street, Eccles, It was good to see so many people joining in this service even if they just stopped for a short while, many thanks for the invitation. Later in the evening we attended a Christmas charity evening at the Coach and Horses Public House, Cadishead. Many thanks to the lads from the pub who put the entertainment on and to everyone who turned up to raise a substantial amount for my charity.
Sunday 11 December
Today we went to Old Trafford to watch a football match between Manchester United and Everton. I will say no more on this. We left here to attend Age Concern's "A Celebration of Christmas". This was a great evening of entertainment which really got you into the Christmas spirit.
Monday 12 December
I chaired the meeting of The Council Agenda Group at The Civic Centre, to go through the agenda for the December Council Meeting. We later attended the Seedley and Langworthy Trust Annual Carol Service in Chimney Pot Park. We had a good time there joining in all the readings and carols and then going over to the Cornerstone for a drink and some mince pies, thanks to every one concerned.
Tuesday 13 December
We hosted a reception in The Mayors Parlour for pupils from All Hallows School, to say a big thank you from The City for the marvellous sketches they displayed of Nelson Mandella at the Special Council Meeting in November. This showed what talent these young people have and it was our way of showing our appreciation for their efforts. We chatted to everybody and told them all about how the city was run. Well done to you all. Later in the evening we attended the Salford Disabled Motorists Association Annual Christmas Dinner at Buille Hill Park Banqueting Suite. We had a really good time here and even met quite a few people who attended my old school.
Wednesday 14 December
We attended the Launch of the New Community Plan for Salford at the Digital World Centre Salford Quays. After walking round and talking to some of the exhibitors, I opened the event. We were later treated to a short performance from Pendleton College Drama Students, this was followed by the guest speaker Carol Woodward from Granada Television, who really praised the students for what they had done. Many thanks for the invitation. We went from here to attend The Together Trust Carol Service at St Mary's Church, Cheadle. Again a really good service put on by all the children, a big thank you to everyone concerned. Following the carol service we attended a football match between Manchester United and Wigan at Old Trafford. We met the Chairman of Manchester United and the Deputy Mayor of Trafford and of course not forgetting United won.
Thursday 15 December
Today we toured Hope Hospital and visiting the Ladywell unit. We spoke to a few patients and members of Staff, and after a lunch we visited the Maternity Unit and again spoke to staff and patients, what a magnificent job these people do. A big thank you to the chairman Cllr Margaret Morris and to everyone concerned for showing us round the Hospital. We later attended the Civic Carol Service jointly with Churches Together, at St Teresa of Avila RC Church, Irlam. This was a lovely service of readings and carols, the highlight being the part that the children from St Teresa's school played. They were wonderful. After the service there were refreshments served in Irlam Catholic Club, a good time was had by everyone.
Friday 16 December
We toured The Civic Centre and other offices selling Christmas raffle tickets for The Mayors Charity Appeal. Many thanks to the other members of my charity committee who helped with this and a special thanks to everyone who bought tickets. Later in the evening we attended the Cadishead Pensioners Christmas Party at Cadishead Labour Club. Ian Stewart M.P and Local Councillors were also there. As usual a really good night, special thanks to the Ladies Committee for making it all possible.
Saturday 17 December
Today we attended a performance of Handel's Messiah at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. This was a really good and relaxing evening, many thanks for the wonderful reception we received when we arrived.
Sunday 18 December
We attended Santa's Letter Day at Buille Hill Park Banqueting Suite. We had a good time here talking to people and a big thank you to The Friends of Buille Hill Park for looking after us and also to the Manchester Police Band for the entertainment they provided. Later in the evening we attended a Quiz Night, in aid of The Mayors Charity Appeal, at Worsley Court House. Many thanks to everyone who took part to help raise money for my charities. This was a most enjoyable evening.
Monday 19 December
Today we visited the Ellesmere Centre, Walkden to listen to St Pauls School playing Christmas Carols on recorders. It was very good and spent some time spoke to the children. Many thanks to Walkden Rotary Club for inviting us. Later in the evening we attended a welcoming service at St John the Baptist Church Irlam, for Rev Dr David Ian Wheeler. This was very well attended and I am sure David will settle down well here in Irlam after receiving the welcome that we give people here.
Tuesday 20 December
Today we called in to Salford Methodist Day Centre, just to say hello and wish to everyone a Happy Christmas, while they were having Christmas Lunch. Many thanks for the welcome we received. We went from here back to the Civic Centre to attend a Citizenship Ceremony. This month some 24 people received the honour of becoming British Citizens. After the ceremony they came into the Mayors Parlour for a drink and a chat. Later in the evening we attended a Carol Service at HM Prison Forest Bank, Agecroft. Before the Carol Service we were shown round some of the workshops and after the service we had tea and mince pies.
Wednesday 21 December
We hosted a reception in the Mayors Parlour for Mrs Katherine Moore, the Mayors Citizen Award winner for December. Mrs Moore was nominated by Cllr Gina Loveday who explained why she had put the nomination forward. About 12 months ago Mrs Moore was driving along Silk Street, Salford and saw someone being attacked. Without any thought for herself she intervened and as a result was stabbed several times but managed to stop the attack. Unfortunately the person that was being attacked later died, the courage that Mrs Moore showed was remarkable and when she was presented with the Mayors Citizen Award she received a standing ovation. Tributes were also made by Councillor Ian Mcdonald and Councillor Norman Owen. This was followed by the regular Monthly Council Meeting. After the Council Meeting we hosted a Christmas Lunch for Members of the Council, also in attendance were Mrs Katherine Moore, the Mayors Citizen Award Winner and her husband Ted and the new Chief Executive, Barbara Spicer. Later in the evening we attended a Carol Service at St Ann's Hospice Little Hulton. The Bishop of Salford, Terence Brane we also there. We were shown round the Hospice before the service and met some of the patients and afterwards we spoke to some of the staff over tea and mince pies. Many thanks for the welcome we received.
Thursday 22 December
We attended The Salford Choral Society Christmas Concert at St Philips Church, Salford. What a really good night this was and we met a lots of people there. My advice to anyone who hasn’t been to this concert before is to make sure you go next year it was excellent.
May we take this opportunity to wish a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone who reads Mr Mayors Diary.
This page was last updated on 4 October 2009
