Mayor’s column
WELL one can’t quite believe it until it happens but both Denise and myself are so pleased and honoured to be the Mayor and Mayoress of Rossendale for 2017/18.
We were inducted into our positions at Annual Council on May 12, in the presence of councillors, relations and friends.
I can’t go any further without first thanking the outgoing Mayor Councillor Granville Morris whose successful year was crowned with a massive charity fund in excess of £15, 000 resulting from the hard work of himself and his committee.
My chosen charities for this year’s Mayor’s Charity Fund are:
The White Horse Project, a youth project based in Waterfoot helping youngsters to better themselves; Vision, a Christian youth organisation helping young people find their way in life and Rubicon, a group run for and by people with mental health problems. I hope you will have an opportunity to donate to these hardworking causes.
I recently had the pleasure of being part of a council group who visited our German twin town, Bocholt, hoping to learn from their experiences with extensive cycle ways for which the town has gained a European Award. The experience was well worthwhile and I got to ride a bike again for the first time in 40 years and I only fell off once! We were made to feel very welcome, with the added bonus of meeting visitors from Bocholt in Belgium who were also on a twinning visit.
Back in Rossendale, we had the pleasure of opening a veterans photographic exhibition by Allen Thomasson at the Whittaker as part of the 1940’s weekend and were amazed at the lucid wartime memories of 96 year old Wilfred Oldham – now that man could tell a good tale!
Our visit to Newchurch St Nicholas CE Primary School to open a new sensory classroom was very memorable and it was good to see the excitement of the youngsters at their new facility. Our thanks extend to headmistress Jane Thistlethwaite for her invitation and to secretary, Julie Edmondson – all our good wishes on her recent marriage.
On Sunday, June 4, I held my Mayoral Civic Sunday Service. I would like to thank St Nicholas with St John and St Michael for providing a wonderful service and our thanks also go to all those who came to support us in this service, it really was a memorable day.
A special mention should also be given to the pupils who made a Powerpoint presentation for my Civic Sunday Service showing scenes of the Rossendale valley.
June was a busy month, with visits to Kimberley Barracks in Preston to celebrate the Royal British Legion Poppy Awards Night, a visit to Rossendale Players performance of ‘Nightmare’ and on our 47th wedding anniversary as well!
We celebrated the First Responders refurbished facilities at Fearns School, attended an excellent concert in aid of Veteran’s in the Community at St Mary’s Church and completed well attended ‘flag raising ceremonies’ at Rawtenstall and Haslingden.
We also opened and took part in the Cancer Research Relay for Life event at Marl Pits with the hope that lots of money could be raised for Cancer research – watch this space.
Tor View School put on an excellent art exhibition at the Mather Gallery; even Picasso was out-done by some of the exhibits.
On Saturday, June 24, Rossendale Rainbows held a 30th birthday party which we attended along with the Mayor of Whitworth, we also attended Edenfield Village Fete later in the afternoon; what a great atmosphere.
The weekend was rounded off with myself and Denise leading the Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival parade, where even the pouring rain could not dampen the enthusiasm and joy of all those taking part and those watching.
Prize giving night at Accrington and Rossendale College gave us much pleasure as we celebrated the achievements of young construction and motor mechanic apprentices among whom there was a good selection of Rossendale students, well done to them all.
One thing about being the mayor is it ensures you meet lots of other mayors and they become good friends. I would like to pass my congratulations to Coun Alan Neal on his election as Mayor of Whitworth and to the outgoing Mayor Coun Madeline De Souza.
Here’s to the next month!