Mr. Mayor's Diary: October 2006
Monday 2 October
We were delighted to meet members of the Swinton Swimming Club in the Council Chamber. We had to meet there because there were so many members they could not be accommodated in the Parlour! We had a good chat with them and congratulated them on their success in competitions with our German twin town, Lunen.
Tuesday 3 October
This evening we watched a nail-biting football match between our own Salford City Football Club and FC United. Final score was 2-1 to Salford FC. Salford City FC have a ground on Moor Lane, Kersal and play regularly throughout the season. This match attracted nearly 5000 spectators which could not be accommodated comfortably at Moor Lane and so the match was played at The Willows Rugby Ground in Weaste. I believe there is to be a return match in the near future. If you’ve never been along to Salford City FC, get yourself along to Moor Lane; you’ll be very welcome. Contact Darren Quick, Chairman, for more details on 737 0752.
Wednesday 4 October
We went along to Walkden for the commemoration of the Refurbishment of the Walkden Monument at St Paul’s Churchyard, Manchester Road, Walkden. This monument used to be an important landmark on the A6 for over a hundred years before the increase of traffic and the advent of motorways. With highway development it was deemed wise to move this monument from its original position into the churchyard of St Paul’s where it gradually deteriorated. Thanks to an initiative by Walkden Rotary Club, the monument has now been restored with the involvement of local schools, many of whom were present at the commemoration, some dressed in Victorian costume. The monument commemorates the work of Lady Harriet who strove to improve the lives of women and children afflicted by child labour and deep poverty. Her descendant, the present Duke of Sutherland, joined us from Scotland today to unveil a new plaque on the monument.
I finished the day suitably in the company of Walkden Rotary Club as a guest at their Charter Night Dinner at Worsley Court House, Salford.
Thursday 5 October
We attended the Salford College Awards Evening at the Maxwell Hall, University of Salford. I presented certificates of achievement to many students, some of whom have overcome big obstacles in the process. They are to be highly congratulated and we wish them all the best for their futures. Salford College is impressive in the breadth and depth of courses it offers and for the support it gives to students. The college goes from strength to strength. Everyone should be rightly proud of themselves.
Friday 6 October
We started the day with a photocall as part of the Flu Vaccination Awareness Campaign. As a regular candidate for the flu vaccination, I was quite prepared to have the real thing done. In the event, the vaccine had not arrived and so we could only model the vaccination. At least I was saved the pin-prick! There can be no doubt about it though, vulnerable people are not suffering the severe doses of flu or the devastating after-effects so common before the vaccine was introduced. Hopefully, the vaccine will arrive soon now and I can have the real thing!
After an administration meeting in the Parlour, we went along to open a community improvement project at the Salford Lads’ Club in Ordsall. The Prince’s Trust Project was lead by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and involved a group of a dozen or so young people who had volunteered to do much needed decoration and renovation work at the centre. Work had started but the project was due to run for another two weeks. We were very impressed with what had been achieved so far. We were very impressed too with the facilities offered at the Club and the commitment of the workers and volunteers. They were having a good time too!
Saturday 7 October
We travelled to the Southport to attend an Irish evening at the Salfordian Hotel where last year’s mayor, Councillor Jim Hunt presented a cheque for £10, 000, from his charity fund-raising during his year of office. We had an excellent time meeting many old friends there among first-time holiday makers at the hotel. We can thoroughly recommend it for a break from city life at a reasonable cost. For more information, contact: Denise Roberts on 0161 793 2390.
Sunday 8 October
We made an early start for the Annual Judges’ Day Service at Manchester Cathedral. It was a very impressive occasion with all the judges and barristers dressed in traditional 18th Century regalia and processing formally into the cathedral. Normally all the mayors (representation being made by all boroughs and the Cities of Mancester and Salford) would wear their red robes and hats but this year was an exception as we were still without a sworn-in mayor of Manchester and their deputy mayor, Councillor Glynn Evans, was not allowed to wear the regalia, by convention . Consequently neither could any other mayor wear his or her robes, which reduced the colours in the ceremony somewhat!
Nonetheless it was a moving experience and the Dean of Manchester Rev Rogers-Govinder treated us to a thought provoking sermon
Monday 16 October
I chaired a meeting of my Charity Committee and soon hope to publish a list of events to raise funds for my charities: Age Concern; CAFOD; Feryal Rajah Trust; Salford Children’s Holiday Camp. A recent quiz night organised by Councillor John Warmisham raised over £300. Tickets for a Bonanza Raffle will soon be on sale.
Tuesday 17 October
We were privileged to visit Ordsall Hall where an archaeological dig is going on. We watched children from local school as they searched for clues about Ordsall Hall’s history with the guidance of university archaeologists. The dig is on the far side of the kitchen and children were finding pieces of 17th, 18th and 19th century pot and parts of old clay pipes. Next week, during the half-term holiday, the dig will be open to families and individuals who can book in to work on the dig. It is very exciting and they hope to find more evidence of medieval life in Salford.
The Hall is a very important part of Salford history and I want to support the campaign to refurbish the hall; perhaps I will buy some tiles for the new roof. Please contact the hall if you can help.
We returned to the Civic Centre to host a Citizenship Ceremony organised for people who wish to take British Citizenship by the Registrar’s Department. About thirty people attended today’s ceremony; people who originate from all parts of the globe. We welcomed them and congratulated them on their achievement.
Wednesday 18 October
We hosted a reception for the Citizen of the Month: Mrs Veronica Reed who had been nominated by Mrs Rosenberg for her long-standing service as a member of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, particularly for her faithful service in the tea bar at Forest Bank Prison. I was delighted to give this award to such a lovely lady.
After this I chaired a lively Council meeting in the Chamber.
Friday 20 October
After a business meeting at the Civic Centre, we went off to Hall Bank off Worsley road in Patricroft, for the launch of Bridgewater Way – another section of the canal way which will stretch from Salford to Wigan eventually and will be accessible to walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users. “Walk the Plank” theatre group had done some work with local young people, from Winton Youth Club, to compose a piece of music to celebrate the occasion, using their bikes as musical instruments. It was very impressive – an original! The launch was held on a barge moored on the canal bank and “Walk the Plank” musicians entertained us with their composition. We hope the funds will be found to enable the completion of the whole way. Sustrans – the cycling way charity was represented and many local cyclists attended the event.
Saturday 21 October
We joined shoppers and families who had gathered in the Lowry Shopping Mall at Salford Quays to celebrate the fifth birthday of the Mall. Five year olds had been invited to help blow out the candles on a special (VERY large) birthday cake which they did with great enthusiasm, several times as we had our photos taken. The cake was then being given to the Humphrey Booth day centres for older people in our city. It looked delicious!
Sunday 22 October
I took a friend of my elder son as my guest to Old Trafford to watch the match between Manchester United and Liverpool.
Monday 23 October
We attended a public meeting in Manchester Town Hall, organised by the Israeli Information Centre, of the Parents Circle Families Forum. This is a growing group of Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families who support peace, reconciliation and tolerance. We heard from an Israeli woman whose son had been killed by a Palestinian sniper and a young Palestinian man whose brother had been killed by an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint. Both told harrowing stories; but both utterly convinced that violent retaliation will not make any progress for either side. They see an end to the conflict only through reconciliation and tolerance and a need for people on both sides to put the past behind them and to get to know each other. The group works to build understanding and friendship between Palestinians and Israelis; to banish ignorance and fear of each other. You can find out more on: www.theparentscircle.org
Tuesday 24 October
We attended an interactive exhibition about Positive Parenting at Fit City, Pendlebury. There were many stands to inform children and parents about matters things to help them live more fulfilling and healthy lives. There were games to play, healthy foods to sample, toys to borrow from the toy library and help and advice for parents about local activities and support groups. Everyone seemed to be having a lovely time.
Wednesday 25 October
We went to Onyon Court in Seedley to meet organisers and users of the Cancer Aid and Listening Line. This is a local charity which offers emotional support and information to people living with cancer, their carers and families. They were launching a new phone number 0845 123 23 29 which is available from 7.30 to 10.30pm every evening for anyone who has concerns about cancer or any other life-threatening illness. CALL’s network of trained volunteers carry out a range of services which are tailored to each individual but can include: listening and befriending, talking through difficulties and concerns, respite sitting, practical help such as shopping, dog walking etc. We had a lovely morning with the members and volunteers and were entertained by a couple of very talented accordion players from Stockport Accordian Society.
Later we travelled to the Manchester Metropolitan University to attend talks on Temple and Synagogue architecture by noted Hindu and Jewish scholars. We were guests of the Indian and Jewish Association which was started to foster knowledge, understanding and friendship between the two different groups. We sampled and enjoyed Indian and Jewish delicacies and joined in the lively discussion which followed the talks.
Friday 27 October
After an administration meeting, we went to Burrows House to help launch “In the PINC”. PINC (People with Independent Needs in the Community). This group works to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities when trying to access a independent life in the community. They work to promote partnerships between different bodies to get the voice of disabled people heard and to bring about action.
Eccles Fire Station was our next stop to attend a Basic Life Support Course. With other councillors we learned from Heart Start trainers at the Fire Station how to resuscitate people who have collapsed and are unconscious. During the evening we travelled to Haigh hall near Wigan for the Mayor of Wigan, Mrs Eunice Smethurst’s Civic Dinner and Ball. The Hall stands on a hill overlooking Wigan and made a stunning view in the dark overlooking all the lights of Wigan. We determined to go and visit it in the daylight too!
Saturday 28 October
Our second bite of the cherry! We were able to consolidate our recently acquired skill in resuscitation. This time with the Red Cross, who gallantly tried to teach all the mayors of Greater Manchester in one go. So, if you are going to collapse, you should be Ok if you are near a Greater Manchester Mayor! It is the aim of the Red Cross to have one person in every road or street who is trained in resuscitation – what happens while you wait for the ambulance can make the difference between life and death! Hopefully, our training will make a difference.
Sunday 29 October
We made a brief call to an open day at Swinton Judo Club, Moorside Road, Swinton where I made some presentations to members who have done graded tests. This club has been in existence for fifty years and members have recently done a lot of work to improve the building and facilities. They are all volunteers and do great work with the many young members giving them skills and promoting their good health. They welcome new members from under six to adult and also need financial support to continue their improvements.
In the afternoon, we joined the Bangladeshi Association of Salford at the Link Centre in Eccles for their Eid Mubarek celebration. People had travelled from all over Greater Manchester and we were entertained by a traditional music group and singers, many of whom are young people who have taken an interest in the traditional music of Bangladesh and perform it very well. We all enjoyed it very much, but especially the older members who knew all the words to the songs.
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