Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin
Date published: 16 June 2019
Mayor Billy Sheerin attended the Walton Angling Open Day in Healey Dell on Saturday (8 June)
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 3 to Sunday 9 June 2019.
I started the week with my wife, Mayoress Lynn Sheerin, at Rochdale Connections Trust where we celebrated Volunteers Week. Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT) is a local charity who have been working to help the people of the borough for over 20 years. It is one of many organisations that we are proud to have in the town.
I presented certificates and awards to young people who were given the chance to improve their lives through the charity; mentoring support, training courses and various programmes to boost their skills are regularly provided.
I was invited to a garden celebration by the Moving On Service in Altrincham, Middleton.
The Moving On Service supports people with a physical/sensory impairment and aims to improve their health and wellbeing. A wheelchair accessible garden was set up at the Moving On centre, created by Middleton Rotary Club, to provide therapeutic and rehabilitation activity for users of the service. I must say, what a wonderful place the garden is.
I presented certificates and gave mugs to the volunteers there. The garden really is a beautiful setting with patios, a band stand and fruit and vegetable plots. It really blew me away.
Thursday commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
We are free today because of the heroic acts made 75 years ago and we will be free tomorrow because of the sacrifices made by so many.
I joined the Veterans Breakfast Club at Rochdale Town Hall before a service at Rochdale Cenotaph to pay tribute to the 61,715 British Troops who landed on the beaches that day. We stood in silence, laid wreaths and prayed for those who did return and for those who remain in Normandy.
Rochdale in Bloom, which I have been a committee member of for many years, has recently signed a headline sponsorship deal with the Co-op, in addition to partnering with H Bell & Sons and Rochdale Training. I and all the other members are thrilled with this new sponsor.
After the success of last year, we are up and running and raring to go for this year’s competition. It is an important community event, and we always enjoy finding out the results.
I was lucky to join an Eid celebration with MP Tony Lloyd at Kingsway Park High School, where all staff and students were dressed in beautiful Asian attire. It was a terrific event, I really thought I was in Karachi when I walked in the door.
Five or six students gave us a tour of the school, we were very looked after. They showed us all the fundraising stalls and bouncy castles and even asked me if I’d like to join in with the traditional dancing, but it looked very energetic, so I declined.
Thank you to the students for their hospitality. I hope you repeat the celebration next year.
Saturday, I had a one to one tour with Mayoress Sheerin and the Mayor of Oldham of the Christie Hospital, Oldham. This was a great experience for me, the staff were all so compassionate and thoughtful and I really enjoyed learning about all the technology they use; all the tech in the establishment really is remarkable.
The next event I attended was even more fun. I was invited to the Walton Angling open day in Healey Dell. Saturday was an absolutely dreadful day, but I still put my wellies on and ventured out in the pouring rain to do some fishing. I had never been to Healey Dell before, but it is a beautiful setting.
At 75 years of age, I had never once been fishing or caught a fish in my life until this day. With the help of the instructor who threw the maggots in the pond, I caught a fish within 30 seconds!
The weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and I told the group I’d be delighted to return when the weather is warmer.
The Digital Festival returned to Rochdale and was hosted at the council’s Number One Riverside building. Attendees were shown how to do things such as set up an email account, make video calls, purchase electronic books, how to take selfies, shop safely online and how to set up social media pages.
Saturday evening, I was invited to the Harry Cooper Memorial Ball at Rochdale R.U.F.C. Organised by Rochdale Parachute Regimental Association, the ball was in aid of Broughton House in Salford which is a care home specifically for veterans.
George Simms, a 95-year-old D-Day veteran and former Royal Marines commando who resides at Broughton House, attended the ball with his carer. It was a real privilege for me to meet him. He fought on Sword Beach during the D-Day landings.
My last engagement was on Sunday, which was the Mayoral Civic Service at St John the Baptist RC Church. This was absolutely fabulous; it was a special day for both me and my wife.
The church was very full with the members of the public attending and dignitaries including the two deputy lieutenants Ian Sandiford and Vivien Carter, five aldermen, the two local MPs Tony Lloyd and Liz McInnes and several councillors. We were very honoured to see all these people join in our Mayoral Sunday.
Prayers for guidance and help were received to bless our mayoral year and we said our thanksgiving for the opportunity. Thank you to everyone who attended the ceremony, which also happened to be on the same day as Whit Sunday.
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
Do you have a story for us?
Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.
To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.
