Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin

Date published: 22 August 2019

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 12 August to Sunday 18 August 2019.

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Hundreds gathered at Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday (14 August) to celebrate the 72nd Independence Day of Pakistan. Officially, the fight for Pakistan independence began in 1947; it amazed me when I realised that I am three years older than Pakistan…

Pakistan Independence Day commemorates the declaration of Pakistan as a sovereign nation, following the end of the British Raj in 1947 and is a national holiday in Pakistan. A flag is raised at Rochdale Town Hall every year to mark the event.

Speeches were kept to a minimum this year due to the horrible weather, but awareness was brought to the situation in Kashmir throughout. I hope all enjoyed the day’s celebrations and the giant birthday cake.

 

 

 

I was invited to the council’s Sensory Awareness event at Number One Riverside. This is hosted annually for people with hearing, sight and speech problems to learn about the range of sensory services provided by the council’s adult care team.

Many service providers were in attendance including Guide Dogs for the Blind, Rochdale Carers Hub, businesses specialising in hearing aids and the British Wireless For The Blind Fund who provide specially adapted radios for the blind. I met with quite a few service users who live in Rochdale.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/129398/visionary-day-as-adult-care-shows-a-feel-for-sensory-awareness

 

 

Coinciding with Pakistan Independence Day, a charity fundraising dinner was held at Castlemere Community Centre on Wednesday evening, organised by Action for Pakistan. Every penny donated at the event went to my chosen charities this year: Springhill Hospice, Parkinson's UK, Leukaemia UK, Hydro Pool, Shopmobility and M6 Theatre.

Thank you especially to Ghulam Rasul Shahzad who was one of the organisers, I enjoyed meeting your family, and to the sponsors who provided all the food free of charge. It was a wonderful evening of entertainment, even when councillor Janet Emsley joined in with the ladies singing choir.

 

 

On Thursday (15 August), a service was held at Rochdale Cenotaph for Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.

On 15 August 1945, the end of World War Two was celebrated on VJ Day. There was much joy and celebration around the world when US President Harry Truman declared the day as Victory over Japan Day; announcing that the Japanese Government had agreed to comply in full with the Potsdam Declaration, demanding the unconditional surrender of Japan.

At midnight, the British Prime Minister, Clement Atlee, confirmed the news in a broadcast saying, “the last of our enemies is laid low.”

The service at the cenotaph also shed light on Operation Banner, which started 50 years ago in 1969. Operation Banner was the operational name for the British Armed Forces operations in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007. It was one of the longest continuous deployments in British military history. In total, 1,441 UK Armed Forces personnel died as result of operations in Northern Ireland or paramilitary actions in other countries over the subsequent 38 years.

Lest We Forget.

 

 

Thursday afternoon, I attended the monthly British Citizenship Registrar's presentation at Rochdale Town Hall, where people receive their British citizenship from the government and are welcomed on behalf of the borough to their official new home of Rochdale. These ceremonies are always a proud moment as after months of hard work, people can finally receive their new citizenship. Over 20 people gained their citizenship at this particular one.

This is one of the only events that is mandatory for the Mayor to attend as it is ceremonial, however I thoroughly enjoy attending every time, seeing smiles on residents faces, and certainly don’t see it as a mandatory task – it is always a pleasure.

Asrar Ul-Haq from the Amaani Initiative invited me to plant a fig tree at Number One Riverside. Mr Ul-Haq and his family are on a mission to plant 100 trees around the Rochdale borough at different locations such as churches, mosques and parks to combat climate change whilst enhancing Rochdale’s natural beauty. I attended with Councillor Neil Emmott, Portfolio Holder for Environment, and Bob Bevan, Rochdale Park Ranger, who facilitated the tree planting at the council building.

The Amaani Initiative was launched in Rochdale in July and I wish them well with their campaign.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/129424/rochdale-council-of-mosques-reaches-out-to-other-faiths-to-improve-environment

 

 

Lastly on Thursday (15 August), I attended the Friends of Queen’s Park annual general meeting, which was good fun. It is tradition for the Mayor to attend as he or she is made the president of the Friends group during the mayoral year; I said to the members that they are very lucky in Heywood as America have got Trump and you’ve got me!

I applaud the Friends committee; they manage one of the most popular parks in the borough and have prestigious green flag status. I remember visiting the park when I was a boy when there was a boating lake. Keep up the good work.

 

 

Friday (16 August), I cut the ribbon to officially open the new B&M store in Heywood. I never thought I’d be able to say I had opened a B&M store in my life – it was a memorable experience for me. I couldn’t believe how big the store is either, it has had an amazing transformation in such a short space of time.

What is really terrific is that the opening of this new business has created 60 jobs for local people.

 

 

In the afternoon, I was invited by Reverend Mark Coleman to a Peterloo Memorial Service at St Chad’s Parish Church as 16 August 2019 marked the 200-year anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre.

Two of the men who died at Peterloo were from Rochdale and are believed to be buried on St Chad’s church grounds, however the exact spot is unknown. I laid some flowers for the men after a very moving service, remembering those who lost their lives.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/129832/remembering-two-rochdale-parish-peterloo-victims

 

 

I invited Mr Jim Healy and his family for afternoon tea in Rochdale Town Hall. This was a terrific meeting for me.

Jim is a wonderful 94-year-old veteran who is still very active, has great mobility, and still even drives his own car. He was a Royal Marine and landed on Juno Beach on D-Day then was sent out to the far east later on in conflict. He brought along his medals to show me.

One of the greatest things in the stories he told me was when it was the 75th anniversary of D-Day, he was one of the men to be taken back to the beaches and was interviewed by the BBC. They asked him ‘what was it like to be here?’ and Jim replied, ‘well the German’s weren’t throwing snowballs at us!’.

This was a rather special occasion celebrating a rather special man, who is still doing voluntary work to this day. I presented him with a Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation to say a very big thank you for all that he has done and is doing in our borough.

 

 

On Saturday (17 August), I attended the Cherwell Centre in Heywood for PossAbilities Summer Fayre ‘Happywood’.

The Cherwell Centre is a place very close to my heart, as I was the portfolio holder when it became a CIC (Community Interest Company). I was there when the adventure began and what a success story the Cherwell has had since. When you visit you are overwhelmed with warmth, understanding and love.

Happywood hosted fun for all the community with all workers dressed as fairies and activities were on hand such as a helter skelter, rodeo bull, magic selfie mirror, wipeout inflatable challenge and an unclimbable ladder inflatable. Tombola, kids’ crafts, a slime stall, glitter make-up, henna tattoos, a sweet cart, and more was also available to enjoy. I was delighted to go along as the Mayor.

‘Happywood' is exactly what was demonstrated on the day. Thank you for the invitation.

 

 

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