Thursday 26th September – The variety of mayoral engagements I’m asked to attend never ceases to amaze me! This morning we were off to the Wilson Athletics Track at the back of The Woodlands, Clayton-le-Moors for a youth event organised by North Lancs Training Group. The Athletics Competition was for young people undertaking the “Study Programme”, a 38-week course to ensure students’ basic skills are up-to-date and ready for the workplace, especially focusing on the core subjects of English and Maths. However, today was an “out of the classroom event” for students from five training centres – Accrington, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Oldham and Preston. Some of the young people come from backgrounds where they haven’t had much opportunity to concentrate on their schoolwork, travel outside their home area or take part in athletics activities like this in the company of their peers. When the Mayoress and I arrived at 11.30 a.m. we were met by some of the organisers from North Lancs Training Group. The young people were all assembled in a yard area at the back of the buildings and I was asked to give a few words of welcome. I don’t think some of the teenagers had ever seen dignitaries wearing chains before and didn’t know what to make of us, but one of the leaders said it would be something they’d remember. He admitted he himself had been a bit unsure about meeting the Mayor – he thought perhaps I’d be rather grand and stand-offish – but once he got talking to me he said I was an “Ossy girl”at heart, which I took as a compliment! I always want to feel that people can approach me when I’m out and about on my mayoral duties. I think that the role of the Mayor has dignity, but that doesn’t mean being snobbish and putting myself on a pedestal! Please don’t hesitate to come and introduce yourself to me when you see me around! The young people were divided into three groups, each containing students from all five centres. That was another feature of the day – working as a team with people they hadn’t met before. We watched some of the activities – track running, throwing the javelin, etc. and then unfortunately had to leave for another engagement. We hoped all the young people would have an enjoyable and meaningful day! On to Padiham Town Hall for an “At Home” hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley Borough and the Town Mayor and Mayoress of Padiham. A lot of us Lancashire Mayors and Mayoresses attended the tea-party but there was also a large number of elderly people from the area. We had a group photo taken outside, then tried our luck on the raffle and tombola – all funds raised were for the Mayors’ charities – before sitting down to afternoon tea. Entertainment was provided by girls from the Shuttleworth High School – a group of acrobat-style dancers and then a girl soloist, aged 15. The singer was very confident and professional and didn’t allow herself to be fazed when there were technical problems with the backing music. We ate our fill of dainty sandwiches, scones and cakes before departing for home. I soon had to be out of the house because I was going on a coach trip with the Hyndburn Theatre Group to see “Wicked” at the “Palace” in Manchester. If you haven’t seen it it’s a wonderful show, suitable for all ages, full of life and colour. But how theatres can get away with charging £3 for a small tub of ice-cream I don’t know! I suppose it’s a “captive audience” and they charge whatever the market will stand. I won’t be booking on any trips with the Hyndburn Theatre Group for a while now because it’s hard to commit myself a long way ahead while I’m Mayor. I was supposed to be going to “War Horse” with them at the “Lowry”, Salford Quays, on 5th December, but unfortunately I have to chair Full Council that night and so have had to sell my ticket! Duty calls, as they say! “War Horse” is on for two months, starting about 20th November, so I hope to be able to go and see it late December/early January when my mayoral diary is a bit quieter. I might even treat myself to a “short break”, if I can find a Premier Inn or such at Salford Quays. I’ve wanted to visit the Imperial War Museum North for ages so I could hopefully combine the two! I doubt if I’ll be browsing round the Shopping Mall – not my thing! – though perhaps I could find a new outfit or hat for my mayoral engagements! Anyway, a trip to Salford Quays is something to look forward to! If you would like to join the Hyndburn Theatre Group, which has a coach trip to a theatre in Manchester, etc. about once a month, picking up all round Hyndburn, please message me and I’ll forward a contact number.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 08:43:27 +0000
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