Wednesday night. We were welcolmed by Steve Melia wh0 introduced us to Father Kevin.
Succead Awards for Apprenticeships
Citizenship Ceremony.
Wednesday morning l attended a single Citizenship Ceremony to welcome new citizens in our borough.
Meeting of the Council.
Tuesday evening. It is our usual practice to commemorate local people but l asked the Council this evening to pay tribute to two brave and courageous Police Officers from Greater Manchester, who tragically lost their lives while responding to an incident in Tameside on Tuesday the 18th of September. I asked the Council to observe a minute’s silence to the memory of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes.
The Council proceeded as normal with business and my Mayors announcements l did say that since my inauguration l have carried out 128 engagements, all of which can be visited by my blog http://www.sandwellmayor.org. I thanked everyone who donated to my charities and gave special thanks to Suzanne Hartwell and Geoff for The Tipton Charity Show, and Carole and Vic Silvester for the charity evening arranged at Brandhall Labour Club both events were well supported and enjoyed by all who attended.
The rest of the Council business proceeded normally but with reports from Cllr John Edwards on The West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, and Cllr Roger Horton on The West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority.
The Boy’s Brigade Annual Church Service.
Sunday morning at 11.00 am we made our way to St Andrews Church, Carters Green West Bromwich for the Annual Church Service for The Mid Staffs and Sandwell Battalion Boy’s Brigade.
It was truly wonderful experience to be part of their annual celebrations. Not only were the seniors catered for but also the young children. The Walls Of Jericho certainly came down when an illustrated story narrated from The Reverent Mike made us all chuckle.
I presented the awards to worthy winners but realise everyone was a winner.
West Bromwich Rail Model Club.
Saturday lunchtime we arrived at Wednesbury Town Hall to visit The West Bromwich Rail Model Club Open Day.
We went not knowing what to expect but our hosts David Miles and Les Plews showed us around the hall to see the exhibits and didn’t realise how fascinating it was. Not only were the trains on show the scenery was outstanding, so much hard work has gone into making this a very succesful day. There was even a complete working model inside a suitcase.
Members range in age from under 10 to over 90. We met Martin Holford the oldest member 93 and Stephan Baker a junior member, and the club is known locally as “The Friendly Club”. It was a pleasure to spend time with everyone. Well Done.
Recognition of Bristnall Hall Neighbourhood Ambassadors.
Friday evening was a special occasion where the community and partners were recognised. Carol Goult and her husband Stephen Goult who were responsible for the presentations that took place at Ormston Academy School Tividale.
Brendon Hawthorne was The Master of Ceremonies and a great job he did, not only did he do a magnificent job of comparing he also gave us renditions of Black Country poems.
The awards event is to celebrate the work carried out by volunteers in the town of Oldbury, and encourage others to join them to continue the work.
Another Green Flag for Haden Hill.
Friday afternoon saw us back at Haden Hill to celebrate another Green Flag Award for the parks which is the EIGHTH year running. They were also awarded The Green Heritage Award for the FIFTH year running.
A lot of work is put by the ground staff, parks officers, local Ward Councillors and Friends of Haden Hill Estate.
Congratulations on yet another wonderful achievement.
Citizenship Ceremony
Wednesday morning we had a double citizenship this morning. It was a very moving occasion and the children were very good.
Unveiling of Memorial at Victoria Park.
Friday afternoon was a very emotional event when we were joined by Mr Tariq Jahan and members of both families to the unveiling of this memorial to remember 3 young men who died in the riots of August 2011.
This memorial from the outset was going to be made from within the community for the community.
I am with Tariq Jahan and the Team led by Matt Lloyd from Infamous Community Arts who have managed the project from start to finish
A very special thanks goes to ASDA for supporting this project, Stacey Corker Community Life Champion, and John Perry the Store Manager at Cape Hill for the time they have put in to get the project completed, and thanks to Managers and their colleagues for attending.
Special thanks to the pupils of St Phillips Primary School and Victoria Park Primary for making the mosaics for the lamp posts, and for the imput they had in the final design for the memorial. Also pupils from St Phillips, Victoria Park, St Matthews, Shireland, Crockett’s Lane and Cape Primary the Community Choir who played a part at the end of the ceremony.
My year as Mayor of Sandwell 