Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin
Date published: 26 July 2019
Mayor Billy Sheerin was invited to Littleborough Rugby Club for a Walking Football Charity Tournament
This weekly column from the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, is about the places he has been and the people he has met during the week commencing Monday 15 to Sunday 21 July 2019.
Monday, I joined Healey Primary School as they took part in an elections debate at Rochdale Town Hall. This is a programme run by the electoral office, organised by council officer Graham Baker, to try and capture young voters and allow them to understand the importance of voting early on.
Aimed at year 6 students, they were asked questions and told to vote for answer A or B, with one of the options being a ridiculous answer, and were made aware of what parliament is, along with the difference between parliamentary and local elections.
I was invited to Odeon cinema for M6 Theatre’s Curriculum for Life film launch. I was incredibly moved by the premiere of their film ‘Crossing the Line’, which followed a young boy at school who got expelled and as a result, was befriended by a local drug gang. As the boy grew older to an age where he could be prosecuted, the gang then put their focus on his younger brother who didn’t want to be a part of the gang.
The acting and dialogue was incredible, it really impressed me. The narrative portrayed such a powerful message, but it left me very depressed at the same time. It upset me that these situations do happen. If anybody would like to see the film, please get in touch and support M6 Theatre. The film is the third in a series of resources created to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing and I hope to support them further this year with them being one of my chosen charities.
I made a company visit to TBA Protective Technologies who manufacture textiles and fire-retardant materials at Transpennine Trading Estate. It was nice for me to see them actually weaving and making cloth, it was a special visit because manufacturing runs in my blood.
Most of the work was completed on old machinery, like we used in the olden days, which is still going after all these years, so they were made to last. It took me on a trip down memory lane. It’s always nice to see businesses flourishing in our borough and TBA definitely are with a full order book.
Tuesday (16 July) pupils of St Gabriel’s School Choir who sang at my Mayor Making Ceremony were invited to the town hall as a treat for being so wonderful. To say thank you, I gave them a tour of the town hall, parlour and they took part in a Q&A session in the council chambers.
Wednesday, I was invited to Apna Ghar for a Dementia Awareness event, organised by Mohammed Sarwar from the Centre of Wellbeing, Training and Culture. The centre holds various training sessions in Rochdale on health issues such as dementia, diabetes and raise awareness on mental health. They also do a lot of work with South Asian communities across Greater Manchester.
This session focused on dementia, making people aware of it, how they can help to prevent it and what the effects are. I was told that healthy eating has been proven to reduce the impact of dementia.
Across the road from Apna Ghar, I was called to Petrus’ gardens to see a joint project between Groundwork, Hopwood Hall College and students working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards. It was great to see young people volunteering to clean up the garden; they were totally immersed in tidying up and getting the area ready for Rochdale In Bloom’s regional judging day.
I received a warm welcome and was given a tour of the beautiful garden, which has had an incredible transformation from wasteland into so many floral features. Gardening has some amazing effects; it can really lift the spirit (apart from when the weeds keep popping up).
National Citizen Service (NCS) held a talk and ‘Challenge Event’ at Deeplish Community Centre, which I was invited to. NCS talk to young people who are just leaving high school and offer programmes throughout the six-week holidays such as interview skills sessions, volunteering opportunities, fundraising activities and more to try and help students prepare for the future and build up their CV.
The ‘Challenge Event’ was the focus at Deeplish Community Centre, where the young people taking part in NCS had to complete various challenges to fundraise for their chosen charities including local causes Springhill Hospice and The Lighthouse Project. Well done to all the young people who have got involved with NCS to develop your skills.
Thursday (18 July), I went to Tatton Park, Cheshire for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show to give my support to Petrus and their exhibition ‘Petrus’ Paradise’.
The exhibition was designed by a team from Petrus who created the garden to reflect a service user’s journey through life with the homelessness charity. I think it is absolutely incredible that they won a silver award for their first ever submission. It’s amazing to think that 18 months ago some of the service users were sleeping rough and believed they had no purpose in life, and now they’ve gained a massive achievement at the prestigious RHS show. A massive well done to all.
Friday, I attended a school leavers assembly at Newlands School in Middleton where most of the students are moving on to Redwood High School. I do hope they enjoy their new school and making new friends.
I was invited by Gleeson Homes to their new development in Kirkholt - Conrad Court - for a ground cutting. The history behind the name is quite special, with Conrad Cole being the influence.
Fusilier Cole was the youngest soldier to have died in the Gulf war, regrettably by American friendly fire, at just 17-years-old in 1991. He grew up just around the corner from the development and a road and footpath are also named after him, with other street names linked to his regiment. With Fusilier Cole’s mother, Susan, and close family friend, Angie Howarth, it was my pleasure to perform the traditional ground cutting.
Gleeson Homes also made a generous donation to my Mayor’s Charity Appeal, which I am thankful for, and asked for my recommendations for under-15 sports teams, local to the development, who may require kit sponsorship from the company. I have given my recommendations and am sure the local teams will benefit.
St John's CE Primary School, Thornham had their school leavers service at St John’s Church to which I was invited. I find the headteacher, Rebecca Hunter, very inspirational, making the service more of a celebration rather than a goodbye. The new reverend Alison Bailie was also introduced to the congregation.
Saturday was Recovery Republic’s 7th anniversary with a celebration held at their base in Heywood. I attended with Liz McInnes MP.
Dr Michael Taylor opened the wellbeing centre in 2012 when he realised that people suffering from drug and alcohol misuse or abuse had no support from the NHS once they were discharged. Dr Taylor bought some premises on York Street and with the help of volunteers has built up the establishment to be a place of warmth and love where you can get additional help.
I didn’t know it existed before now, but I was so impressed. You really do meet a lot of special people when you’re the mayor.
The Nigeria Community Association invited me to their Holiday Jamboree Family Fun Day in Broadfield Park. Lots of exciting games and activities were available including a bouncy castle, table tennis, face painting, children’s talent show, free food and drinks and a DJ provided music.
It was a fantastic event for children, families and friends with a carnival atmosphere. I even had a go at table tennis but failed miserably.
Sunday, I opened Middfest 2019 at Limefields Park. It was great to be there, visit stalls and talk to people as I made my way around the festival. It was my first time at Middfest, and with the sun shining, it was a wonderful occasion. Middleton Roundtable worked hard once again to host the event for the community.
To finish the week on Sunday (21 July), I attended Littleborough Rugby Club for a Walking Football Charity Tournament. What amazed me was how competitive the players were and how seriously they all took it. It was really enjoyable.
Dave Richardson, who is fundraising for a highly-anticipated hydrotherapy pool at Castleton Leisure Centre, organised the tournament and I hope the event brought in the funds they need. Thank you to all who took part for helping such a great cause.
Mayoral Invitations
The Mayor welcomes invitations to events held by local organisations and individuals. Due to demand, it may not be possible for the Mayor to attend every event he is invited to.
To invite the Mayor to your event please complete the Mayor attendance form and return it to the Mayor's Officer.
Visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/mayors/Pages/mayoral-invitations.aspx
Email: mayoral@rochdale.gov.uk
Tel: 01706 924773
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