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 October and November 2023.

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The last month has been a ‘game of two halves’.

In the early part of the month we, sadly, had to postpone some events as the Mayoress had a hip replacement operation and I had to look after her during the recuperation period. I am indebted to the Deputy Mayor and his consort for stepping in when needed. I also want to thank all the well-wishers for your kind support.

It was particularly disappointing to miss the In Bloom Awards in Bolton. Yet again, our borough has been outstanding in its achievement of so many gold awards, including in my own ward of Norden.

As Mayor, I can’t thank the volunteers and staff from the council’s environmental management team enough for the enormous efforts they have put in to ensure a successful outcome. I am so proud of what they have helped to achieve for our borough.

The most important events over the last months have been for Armistice commemorations and honouring the sacrifices made in World War One, World War Two and other conflicts.

I attended very moving Festivals of Remembrance at Manchester Airport and Bolton Town Hall, together with other Mayors and Consorts from some of the boroughs of Greater Manchester, as well as the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff.

The day before Armistice Day, I attended a lunch at the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum in Bury, to remember the Battle of Inkerman. In addition, I had a tour round the museum. I have always had a keen interest in history, so it was particularly fulfilling to learn more about the heroic campaigns of the regiment.

Over lunch I was delighted to meet Colonel Martin Newman, who took the salute with me at the parade at Rochdale Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. On the same day, I attended the school’s Armistice that had been organised by Reverend Margaret in the Salvation Army’s Citadel, which was attended by a number of schools.

It was a lovely Remembrance Service, during which the children laid wreaths that they had made in school. I also had a question and answer session with the children, before they re-laid their wreaths at Rochdale Cenotaph. It was a lovely idea, as it is so important our children understand the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces in many wars to protect our freedom and democracy and to keep us safe. Lest we forget.

 

 

Remembrance Sunday itself is always a special day, so I was proud to lead the mourning for the lost service personnel of Rochdale at our magnificent Grade-I listed Cenotaph, particularly as my dad had served for so many years in both the Army and the RAF. It is always a moving event and it was wonderful to see how many residents turned out to pay their respects, particularly as the weather was so awful.

And, of course, this year it was even more important after the unforgivable desecration of our Cenotaph.

Following the service, I met up with the Mayoress who had laid a wreath and attended the parade in Heywood, her first engagement following her operation. This was particularly poignant for her, as she had attended Heywood Grammar School and was adjacent to the Memorial Gardens.

Following the services, we spent some time with the Veterans from the Parachute Regiment and the Lancashire Fusiliers. Then it was off to Wardle for their afternoon parade and Service of Remembrance.

I feel it is right and proper that my latest column has focused on the events related to Remembrance Sunday, as it has always had a special place in the hearts and minds of the British people, as exemplified by the strong support given in the Borough of Rochdale. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Finally a few of the other events that I have attended:-

• Opening of the new Springhill Hospice Shop in Heywood and the re-opening of the revamped Morrison’s Store, also in Heywood.
• Two hour long interview with Rochdale-based Crescent Radio.
• Attendance of a performance of Oliver! by the Youth Theatre at Holy Trinity Church, Littleborough.
• Attendance at the Rochdale Business Awards, at Number One Riverside, organised by Rochdale Development Agency.
• Attendance at the ‘safe drive, stay alive’ event for older children at Middleton Arena.
• Visit to the Dementia Café at Bamford Chapel, to meet the helpers and organisers and have a chat with some of the customers.

That’s a snapshot of a busy period, in a month when the borough of Rochdale united and came together to reflect and remember.