FRANTIC YEAR WAS FANTASTIC
BEFORE the dust settles on my Mayoral year, I’d just like to thank everyone who contributed to make it such a success - for me personally, for all the charities who benefitted, and for all the engagements we undertook to promote Rossendale within and outside the Borough.
My Mayoress, Christine Lamb, and I have had a great time meeting hundreds of people and getting to know so much about the activities that take place in the area, and we’re full of admiration for the amount of time that volunteers spend on their particular area of interest whether that’s animals, children, adults or their particular hobby or passion.
We had a target of £5,000 to raise for our charities our main beneficiaries were Rossendale Rays, Cancer Research (Bacup Committee) and Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue, and we donated £4,000 to each of those, plus smaller donations to another 11 local charities, all of which do amazing work in the local area.
In total we raised £17,370, which was just amazing, and a massive thanks to everyone who supported our activities.
We attended such diverse events as the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who taught Indians the values of truth and non-violence during the freedom movement - the ‘Let’s Go Sing’ concert in Blackburn attended by 4,000 local children - and the opening of several new businesses including Thrive Gym in Rawtenstall and Pine House Mental Health Rehab Centre in Bacup.
We’ve visited numerous local schools to talk about democracy and we supported the School Queen’s Baton Relay Event at St John’s Stonefold Primary School.
I also spoke to Bury and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupils about my experiences tackling the gender bias.
That’s just a sample of what we’ve done!
I must say I’m envious of the new Mayor, Councillor Anne Cheetham, who I’m sure will be inundated with invitations to attend Jubilee events - but our year was so frantic, ending with an official visit to Bocholt in Germany, with whom we’ve been twinned for 70 years this year, that I do need to relax and reintroduce myself to my husband and dog!
And for Christine, who due to Covid has been Rossendale Mayoress for three years, it’s also an opportunity to pay a bit of attention to Bryan!
So it’s back to the wonderful world of politics for me, with my appointment as Deputy Leader, and Portfolio Holder for Planning, Licensing and Housing, and my continuing work as County Councillor for Rossendale East.
It’s lucky I have a very patient husband!
Thanks again to everyone.
Jackie Oakes
Councillor - Stacksteads Ward