Mayor’s Column: Councillor Mike Holly

Councillor Mike Holly was sworn in as the Mayor of Rochdale in May 2023.

This column is about the places he has been and the people he met in September 2023.

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Another exciting and rewarding month. This time we have had quite a bit of focus on businesses and charities. I am trying to support Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) in promoting Rochdale as the great place it is to work and to invest.

I had tours around Globe House and the Old Fire Station to see how these buildings have been transformed, to provide accommodation and support services to small businesses and charities, particularly start-ups. I met tenants and staff who were universal in their praise for the facilities and how they promoted opportunities for networking, which is so important for embryonic businesses. I have to say how impressed I was to see how the Old Fire Station has been given a new lease of life, whilst preserving its historic highlights. I managed to have a quick peek at the museum and a brief chat with the staff and have been invited back for a proper tour which I am really looking forward to.

I really enjoyed the tour with RDA around the factory that Premium Fabrications has established in Rochdale. They manufacture speciality steel components for well-known high-tech industries where their precision engineering is so vital. Another good example of manufacturing at its best in Rochdale and really encouraging to see how they see the importance of apprenticeships.

 

 

On the retail front, we were pleased to open the new Spar store on Albert Royds Street. Great to see the old Morrison's store being put to good use in an area that was crying out for a good retail offering, which it clearly is. It was lovely to meet the welcoming Uppal family and good to hear from Spar management of their plans for the future. Another great investment and I wish the Uppal family and Spar every success in its new venture.

In the charity sector we were delighted to celebrate with trustees, past colleagues and current clients 60 years of Occupational Health Services in Rochdale. They provide services and training to various companies in the North West of England. Another great and successful organisation that was new to me.

Over the last month, we have had the privilege of attending education events to celebrate the many successes of their students. This included Hopwood Hall’s higher education graduation evening, where I was pleased to hand out special awards to outstanding students. We also went to “Our Big Day” at Oulder Hill School to celebrate the achievements of cared for children. It was a wonderfully uplifting event and we met some lovely children and some inspirational foster carers.

In addition, we went to Beech House speech night where I handed out sports awards to many pupils, which was lovely as sport is dear to my heart.

Turning to civic events, it was humbling and a great privilege to attend the service and wreath laying for the commemoration of Arnhem, Operation Market Garden. Since I have become Mayor it has been a pleasure to meet so many brave men who served in the Parachute Regiment. We never forget the sacrifice of many of their brave colleagues.

There were also two events in Manchester Cathedral. A moving multi faith celebration of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi 152 years ago and where we laid flowers at the foot of his memorial by the Cathedral. The other was a service for His Majesty's Judges to mark the start of the legal year. A fine event with the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff and all the Mayors of Greater Manchester taking part in the formal procession.

It was Rochdale's year to take precedent in the procession, so I was proud to lead my fellow Mayors behind the Cathedral Steward and the Chief Constable as is tradition.

Finally, a flavour of some of the other events that we have attended:

• Nigeria Independence Day flag raising and cutting of cake - a vibrant celebration.
• A plaque unveiling at Rochdale AFC in recognition of sadly deceased supporter and fundraiser "Moggy" Murray- amazing turnout for a clearly much-loved man.
• A lovely joint concert at the St. Mary's in the Baum, performed by the Rochdale Music Service Community Band and the Haste Tone Wind Band from Berlin, a long-standing relationship - wonderful music.
• Macmillan Cancer Support’s fundraising coffee morning at Alkrington Library - a successful and engaging event. I used to be a councillor representing Alkrington and I can't believe how vibrant the Library now is - well done to all the staff.
• Open day for U3A, a national organisation, that provides over 30 different activities for residents aged 50 and over that is based at the Coach House in Littleborough - the range of activities is immense and provides so many opportunities for older people, I might even join myself when my Mayoral year is over!
• Whitworth Amateur Musical and Dramatic society’s performance of the musical Once at the Curtain Theatre - an entertaining evening that was thoroughly enjoyable, wonderful to see Councillor Andy Kelly in a different context - he was actually pretty good.

The hard work never stops and it’s on to another busy month, with a packed diary and much to look forward to.