Moving events brought time for reflection in festive rush
AFTER the previous month’s focus on paying respect to our Armed Forces at the various Remembrance events, the focus over the last few weeks has been very much the run-up to Christmas.
I switched on the lights in Syke, Middleton and Heywood. By the time of the Littleborough switch on, the Mayoress had sufficiently recovered from her operation to attend.
It was lovely to do the switch on, with Florence, winner of the Littleborough Lions competition for young people. Onwards to Rochdale. A first glimpse of the inside of the refurbished Town Hall and a spectacular switch on with the children’s champions, from the Youth Parliament.
Finally, to my own ward of Norden where I turned on the lights with Father Christmas. It was particularly special for the Mayoress and myself, as some of our grandchildren shared the platform.
The efforts put in by volunteers and the council offices to make these events so successful is greatly appreciated.
We have also attended a number of Christmas Fairs: Jolly Josh, Springhill Hospice, Rochdale Parish Church of St. Chad’s.
Each has its own focus but they are all joyous and the volunteers raise much needed funds for their respective organisations.
But even in these times of celebration, there were two moving events.
Firstly we attended the Holodomor 60th Remembrance in the
Memorial Gardens where I laid a wreath, together with the borough’s two MPS, members of the Ukrainian community and other dignitaries, before a moving service in St Chad’s church. Lest we forget.
Along with Councillor Janet Emsley, I also laid a poppy wreath at Spotland, prior to Rochdale’s game against Aldershot, together with the team managers.
Finally on ceremonial matters, I raised the flag for Lancashire Day in both Littleborough and Milnrow.
We have attended many other events in which has been a very busy period. They include:
The Rochdale Man of the Year lunch, in support of Springhill Hospice, a very enjoyable event at which I met old friends and acquaintances.
Congratulations to this year’s Man of the Year, Wesley Dowd. The award was well earned for his fantastic efforts to raise funds for children’s charities, particularly the Moorland Home.
A breakfast brainstorming meeting for local businesses in Tetrosyl’s impressive headquarters, organised by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) to identify their need to develop their businesses in Rochdale , helping to generate an action plan for RDA. I am excited by stories of these, largely new, businesses and encouraged by engagement with RDA to assist them.
A fantastic tour around the new Hampton by
Hilton hotel with the Mayoress. Great staff, lovely quality hotel. A great boost for the town.
I enjoyed a lovely tour round the Fire Museum. A great asset for Rochdale.
We have also been to a number of events to support particularly vulnerable groups:
We opened the new premises in Summit, Littleborough at the launch of ‘Young Lives Matter,’ providing essential support to teenagers in crisis.
There was an enjoyable visit to Carers’ Rights Day, providing information about the support available at the Lighthouse Project.
We also visited the Army of Kindness and the volunteers who supply a hot meal and other support every Thursday at St. Andrew’s Methodist church. The volunteers there, a lot very young, show a truly caring spirit.
I was delighted to be on the council video for the White Ribbon Campaign to end male violence against women.
With a wonderful wife, two daughters and two granddaughters, I totally support this campaign. Such violence has no place in this country.
As part of the campaign, it was great to attend a 9-a-side football match between BASA, one of my charities, and Rochdale council which BASA won. I was delighted to present the cup to the winners.