Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin
Date published: 06 December 2019
Mayor Billy Sheerin and Mayoress Lynn Sheerin attended Norden Christmas Lights Switch On (Thursday 28 November)
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 25 November to Sunday 1 December 2019.
Monday 25 November to Sunday 1 December was a week of celebrations for the Co-Operative College, with delegates and speakers from far and wide attending the Co-Op College Centenary Conferences and a packed programme of other events in Rochdale; the birthplace of the Co-Operative Movement.
Celebrating the Co-Operative College’s work over the past 100 years, since its formation in 1919, the week also looked ahead at the future of the Co-operative College.
The celebrations, titled ‘Co-Operative College 100 Years: and now for the future’, explored how co-operative learning, whether formal or informal, in schools, universities, workplaces or communities can challenge inequalities and contribute to building co-operative authenticity, sustainability and resilience around the whole world.
Speakers from across the globe addressed delegates from a total of ten different countries against the backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall over the week.
The first conference was on Tuesday (26 November) which for the first-time tackled issues that most affect young people. This was titled ‘Co-Operation for a New Generation’. The next was on Wednesday (27 November), ‘Co-Operative Education Across the World’, which highlighted the incredible co-operative education taking place across the globe. The final conference was ‘….and Now for the Future’ on Thursday (28 November) which focused on the Co-Operative College having a successful future and how Co-operative Education can address some of the challenges they face.
After listening to a programme of inspiring speakers, we engaged in thought provoking sessions and interactive workshops, which I found very enjoyable, informative and exciting. It was a privilege to meet and engage with delegates from South America (Brazil and Argentina), from Malaysia, Republic of Ireland, Italy and Spain, to name just a few.
The week highlighted the ambition and desire for a new Co-Operative University; formed with co-operative values at the place where the Co-operative Movement all began, in Rochdale! Rochdale is a town known globally as the birthplace of the Co-Operative Movement, so it made the perfect setting for the centenary celebrations, marking a significant milestone.
What blew me away was when we went to Toad Lane to visit the Pioneers Museum - a key co-operative landmark where the original Rochdale Pioneers shop still stands - one of the delegates broke down in tears. It was a place he has always wanted to visit since he was a child. It is amazing how we can walk past this local place every day and not really understand the history or realise how much it means to other people across the whole world.
The Co-Operative celebrations kicked off at the start of the week on Monday 25 November with the raising of the Co-op flag at Rochdale Town Hall. The flag travelled especially from Exeter for the event to be raised in Rochdale. Thank you to Nicola Huckerby who organised the flag raise and travelled with it, ensuring the flag arrived safely. Nicola manages the membership, communications and events for the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network (CCIN) which comprises 22 Councils from across the UK, promoting the Co-operative Values and Principles at local level.
Also on the same day was the unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Manchester, which political and religious leaders were invited to as well as the public. The statue was given to the city by the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharamour (SRMD), who aim to enhance spiritual growth, and marked the 150th anniversary of Gandhi's birth in 1869.
Then, I had afternoon tea with Nigerian delegates in the Mayor’s Parlour. His Royal Highness, Dr Kayode Israel Okunlola (one of the traditional rulers of the Ibafon community), paid a courtesy visit on his tour of the UK, which was very nice of him. Founder of the Nigeria Community Association in Rochdale, Mary Adekugbe, was also present with her husband. This was one of those times when I needed a box to stand on when I had my photo taken!
I was kindly gifted a bongo drum and a handmade rattle known as a shekere with colourful beads by the visitors. Thank you to them for this thoughtful gesture and for visiting Rochdale Town Hall.
On Tuesday (26 November), the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was on a visit to Rochdale to celebrate 80 years of Rochdale & District RSPCA at Redcross Street and to officially open the new WHAG head office on Drake Street.
At Rochdale’s RSPCA, both myself and the leader of the council, Allen Brett, had a tour with Mr Burnham. There are some beautiful cats at RSPCA and a range of other animals; I could have taken one of the kittens’ home, they were absolutely beautiful.
2019 marks the 80th anniversary of the animal centre at its current location, 1 Redcross Street, and they are about to enter the 130th anniversary of the Rochdale RSPCA which was set up in January 1890.
The centre is looking at developing a new community hub for those who are lonely and creating a community café that will provide companionship to both humans and animals. There is strong evidence to suggest that companion animals can contribute to the wellbeing of elderly and help reduce loneliness.
We then went to WHAG (formerly Women’s Housing Action Group) for the official opening of their new head office in Rochdale town centre.
I had a lovely day; it was a really nice enjoyable experience, being part of all these positive celebrations of local endeavours. Thank you to WHAG, who provide support for the homeless and men, women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, for the vital services you provide.
Continuing the Co-op centenary celebrations, Brazilian delegates were invited into the Mayor’s Parlour to celebrate their endeavour in travelling all the way to Rochdale. I ended up with a football shirt which they presented me and am thankful for.
After, we all went across to the Flying Horse and had a ‘knees up’ in the function room with a pie and pea supper. It was a really good fun get together - I bet the Flyer have never had so many people from all over the world in the place!
Wednesday (27 November), I took part in RBH’s community tree planting in Kirkholt, which was a challenge to plant 375 saplings in a single day. I thought it was a terrific idea. I did my bit by working my socks off and planting four trees, so there were only 371 left to plant by children from Holy Family School and the Green Team!
The idea for this came from Asrar Ul-Haq, a non-Executive Director of RBH who also runs the Amaani Initiative, a family project which aims to encourage the community to engage in activities to reduce carbon emissions, combat climate change and enhance the local environment.
Wednesday evening, I was invited to Syke Chapel for the Christmas Tree Lights Switch On and I must say, they have a tremendous Christmas tree. The community centre was packed with residents and I won a pair of ballerina statues on the tombola stall. It was a pleasure to be there amongst everyone on the cold and frosty evening. It is many years since I’ve been in that neck of the woods.
Thursday (28 November), I invited Chloe Johnson for afternoon tea in the Mayor’s Parlour. This was my way of civically recognising her achievements and it was a lovely afternoon with her family and work colleagues, who have all been very supportive of her and pushed her to achieve success.
You can read about Chloe’s achievements with the council here:
The mayoress and I then went up to Norden Christmas Lights Switch On and we disappeared amongst the crowds, only to be discovered queuing up for mulled wine! It was a very memorable occasion turning the lights on with the Rochdale AFC mascot, Desmond the Dragon and the Grinch (who I was a bit scared by!).
Thursday evening, I also had Rochdale Training’s 50th Awards Ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall, of which I was delighted to attend. It was a special night for me seeing apprentices’ achievements, as I was once an apprentice myself so could relate to everyone in the room.
I was delighted that Katie from Rochdale Online who helps me with this column (and corrects my spelling mistakes) received her apprenticeship certificates from guest speaker Joe Thompson, the ex-Rochdale football player who during his career fought cancer. He told the story of his journey to keep his career and fight the battle not only once, but twice. It was so inspiring; you could have heard a pin drop in the great hall all through his speech.
Rochdale Heartbeat invited me to their annual Christmas meal at the Bella Vista restaurant on Friday (29 November), organised by Sue Ridgard. This was a most enjoyable evening of which I had the important task of pulling out the raffle tickets. After a lot of searching, I did find one belonging to the mayoress!
Heartbeat has been going in Rochdale since 1988, supporting the local area and hospitals with cardiac related equipment. This support group meets every fortnight on a Tuesday evening in the physiotherapy department of Rochdale Infirmary.
Whilst I was there, we were offered a defibrillator for the Carnegie building in Castleton, which will be situated on the outside of the building with a keypad for general public use. I am absolutely delighted about it. What a wonderful bunch of people they are at Heartbeat, it was lovely to spend an evening with them.
On Sunday, to welcome December, I was invited to Gracie Field’s Theatre for Rochdale Music Service’s annual Christmas Cracker event. This was the 26th annual concert performed by students of Rochdale Music Service, based at Rochdale Town Hall, who demonstrated both solo and group performances and delivered three wonderful concerts throughout the one day.
I went along with Councillor Ray Dutton, his grand-daughter and council leader, Allen Brett, and his wife. The children entertained us with all types of music ensembles on offer from percussion groups to choirs and folk groups to brass bands, all enjoying Christmas carols. It was a joy to see the youngsters of all different abilities doing something that they love. We should be very proud of our music service, I certainly am.
Link4Life Awards were hosted at Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday evening, where myself and the mayoress had to choose the winning lantern from Falinge Park's Festival of Lights Parade on Friday 29 November. The best lantern award went to The Prince's Trust who created a bus.
Higher Crompton Cheerleaders, who had just returned from a competition that they had won, entertained attendees on the night and they were really impressive. I have seen them before earlier in the year at Middleton's Jumbo Community Centre, and they were equally as talented then.
I finshed the very busy week at Castleton Carnival and Christmas Lights Switch On. In the past, the Christmas event has always been focused on Castleton village green, which we still did this year but we also utilised the community centre.
Carols were sang by St John's School, Thornham and St Gabriels RC Primary School, Castleton, who entertained the crowds prior to a lantern parade, which snaked its way down through the village to the community centre. I can honestly say I’ve never seen crowds in the community centre of that magnitude since the 1980s, when we used to have a very successful summer carnival! It was heart-warming. A really terrific effort was put in by all.
I must put my thanks out to several ladies who helped out - Jo Potts from True Serenity in Castleton Baths, Claire Dring from Forget Me Not and Julie Hurst from Crewe Industrial, Lindzi Miller from Enlightening and Erica Matthews and Chantelle Davies.
I hope the event can continue next year and be even bigger and better.
I have now completed six Christmas Lights Switch On's as the Mayor of Rochdale and I have enjoyed every single one.
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.
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Visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/mayors/Pages/mayoral-invitations.aspx
Email: mayoral@rochdale.gov.uk
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