Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin

Date published: 07 March 2020

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 24 February to Sunday 1 March 2020.

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I started the mayoral week on Wednesday (26 February) at KYP on Belfield Road. This was a Dementia Awareness event and also a celebration as carers, employers, organisations and service users had recently completed ‘Understanding Dementia’ courses.

I’ve visited this venue on several occasions for dementia events, as the main causes of dementia - Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s - are two of my chosen mayor’s charities, and the fact that dementia is one of the biggest concerns for the elderly is something that interests me, as prior to becoming the Mayor I was assistant to the portfolio holder for Adult Care.

Mohammed Sarwar, CEO of the Centre of Wellbeing, Training & Culture also based on Belfield Road, launched the event which was very well attended. There were several agencies present including the Stroke Association, Bury & Rochdale Care Organisation Self-Management Service, Select4Care and Home Instead Rochdale, to name a few.

 

 

Later was Fusilier Conrad Cole’s Dedication Service where a new road in Kirkholt was named in his honour. Conrad Cole Road is located on a new development off Balderstone Road.

It was an honour and privilege for me to be at the street dedication service for Conrad Cole, a local boy who sadly lost his life when he was 17 in the Gulf War.

Conducted by Revd Margaret Smith, the service was all done with military honours. I was privileged to sit with Conrad’s grandparents, Mavis and Cyril, who told me stories of Conrad when he was younger.

Conrad’s commanding officer was also present and gave a harrowing account of the events that led to the fusilier’s death – a tragic incident that should never have happened.

Prayers were said before the dedication, poems were read, the last post was sounded, and we held a one-minute silence. The Kohima Epitaph and laying of wreaths concluded the event before refreshments were enjoyed in The Hub on The Strand, Kirkholt.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/132976/conrad-cole-remembered-as-local-road-named-in-his-honour

 

 

I attended the official opening of the new ‘bog garden’ in Queen’s Park, Heywood on Friday 28 February along with councillors Peter Rush, Carol Wardle and Susan Emmott. The Friends of Queen’s Park joined forces with Heywood in Bloom to create a feature in the park which would link up with the arrival of Dippy the dinosaur in Rochdale.

I want to say thank you and pay tribute to the three gardeners who did the work: Mark Howarth, David Jones and David Hogg. Not only do they maintain Queen’s Park but also Springfield Park, keeping the parks immaculate.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/133010/the-opening-of-queens-parks-‘bog-garden’

 

 

The Mayor of Oldham’s Civic Charity Ball was hosted at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham and was a very well attended event. The Mayor of Oldham, Ginny Alexander, and her husband and consort, Adrian, hosted a splendid evening with fantastic live entertainment from Victor Michael (tenor singer) and a Ukrainian Dance Group ‘Podilya’.

The Mayor of Oldham’s chosen charities are Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Mahdlo, Stephen Gartland Foundation, Christies at Oldham, RSPCA Oldham, TOG Mind, Pennine Pen Animal Rescue and Action Oldham.

It was with great delight that I attended the St Gabriel’s ADMS production of Cinderella. This was the very first pantomime that I had not had any involvement whatsoever in, and I’m very pleased to say that it still had all the fun songs, the children and the colour of productions of years gone by.

Simon Thompson who wrote the script, directed the show and played Buttons was a chip off the old block. He was great.

It was a wonderful night’s entertainment for me, but one sad thing is I’d lost my voice prior to the show so my audience participation, which I was seriously looking forward to, could not materialise!

A big well done to all concerned, you all did me proud.

 

 

I was invited to celebrate the 100th birthday of Walter Hainsworth at Ashbourne Nursing Home in Norden on Saturday 29 February.

Walter is a lovely man, to meet him was an absolute privilege. He was surrounded with his family and friends on this very special birthday and the Royal British Legion gave him a salute. Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for the Armed Forces, also gave a speech of recognition and I gave a speech of admiration.

I believe Walter is an ex-sailor who, during the second world war, was awarded for his bravery with the Atlantic Star and Arctic Star and many other medals, which I can't identify.

We toasted his health and celebrated a very special occasion as he reached this milestone. It was lovely to meet members of his family who are all very proud of him, and rightly so.

 

 

Along with several other mayors of Greater Manchester, the mayoress and I were invited to a civic reception on HMS Prince of Wales vessel. The ship was on sea trials and had stopped off in Liverpool where we travelled to see it on Saturday (29 Feb) evening.

On a very wet and windy night, we climbed the temporary scaffolding to the hanger deck of the biggest thing I have ever seen afloat in my life. This Royal Navy aircraft carrier is a 65,000-tonne warship with a flight deck that has enough space for three football pitches! I thought it would be nuclear powered, but I was told it isn’t. It is a gas turbine with diesel engines.

It was a very special night; we had prosecco and canapes and were entertained by the Royal Marine Band. I was also introduced to the Mayor of Barnsley and the Mayor of Bridlington.

There were quite a lot of us there for the occasion, one of which I will never forget.

When I first became the mayor, my first request was for a stool that I could stand on when I was having my photograph taken, as I am vertically lacking… one example is this picture below (notice the small male in the middle).

 

 

 

Changes to Mayoral Invitations

To book the Mayor to attend any function there is now a four-week prior notification. If any event arises within the four-week period, the Mayor’s attendance cannot be guaranteed. However, please be assured that it will be considered and if possible, it will be attended.

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