Mayor Making Ceremony 2012 - Councillor James Gartside is the new Mayor

Long-serving Norden councillor 'gentleman' James Gartside was installed as Mayor for the forthcoming year.

As usual, the Great Hall provided the perfect backdrop for this formal though unstuffy occasion as Cllr Gartside proudly and with dignity accepted his chain of office. His wife and fellow-councillor Jane Gartside was installed as Lady Mayoress.

The ceremony was attended by our local MPs, fellow councillors, aldermen, family, friends and well-wishers.

Cllr Gartside’s proposer, Conservative leader Ashley Dearnley described the new Mayor as: "Quiet, dignified and determined.” His supporter, Dale Mulgrew described him as: “A gentlemanly, courteous and generous individual who upholds the virtues of decency and integrity in equal standing.”

In his inaugural address the new Mayor said how very proud he was to take on the office; particularly in the year of the Royal Jubilee and in the International Year of Co-operation. He vowed to start a fund to restore the ceiling in the Great Hall as part of his year of office.

With regard to his quiet, unassuming manner for which he is justly famous he told the packed hall that to "speak with paucity" was one of his most favoured mottos.

At the end of the ceremony, the children from Norden Community Primary School sang, ‘Tears in Heaven’ and ‘Oh Happy Day’ to a standing ovation.

The splendid Rochdale Youth Band who in response to the Mayor’s request for ‘something by Elvis Presley’ provided a stirring and emotive rendition of ‘American Trilogy’; again earning a well-deserved standing ovation.

At the buffet reception afterwards held downstairs, the new Mayor and Mayoress received their guests at the foot of the Grand Staircase.