Your Local Independent 189

Christmas 2024 Page 11 AD SALES 01204 478812 10 11 Monday Tuesday The Mayor’s Diary THE MAYOR’S DIARY IAN ALDCROFT, the mayor of Horwich, gives us the latest update on his busy schedule of civic events as the year comes to a close ACTS OF REMEMBRANCE AND CELEBRATION NOVEMBER 10: Remembrance Sunday ON Remembrance Sunday, wreaths are traditionally laid at the Horwich Loco Works war memorial, followed by a procession through Horwich to the Garden of Remembrance off Lever Park Avenue. The war memorial was funded by contributions from the staff of Horwich Locomotive Works and was erected around 1922. The works closed in 1989, and I understand that the purchaser of the site donated the land on which the memorial stands to the town. A cordial invitation was extended to all local organi- sations to join me, members of the town council, and the Royal British Legion for the Annual Parade and Service of Remembrance. At 11am, we gathered in front of the memorial and laid wreaths at its base. Shortly afterwards, we assembled on Ramsbottom Road for the parade through Horwich to the Garden of Remem- brance, where a service was conducted by Rev Nicola But- terworth, and wreaths were laid at the monument there. After the ceremony, the parade re-formed and made its way back to Horwich RMI.It is heartening to see such a good turnout for the event from the people of Horwich. NOVEMBER 11: Armistice Day A FORMAL event took place in front of the public hall at 11am, featuring a brief service accompanied by maroons and a moment of silence. Councillors and representatives from the Horwich British Legion were in attendance, after which one of their representatives laid a wreath at the memorial in the council chamber. NOVEMBER 17: Oompah Afternoon JANET and I went to the mayor of Blackrod Derek Snowden’s ‘Oompah’ event. He explains it here: “The ‘Bavarian’ Oompah Band consists of members from Tyldesley Brass Band, who organise these events to raise funds for the band’s operations. The event was a sell-out, and we raised £1,554 for the Blackrod Mayor’s charity fund, which this year will be distributed to local volunteer groups that do so much with little or no funding. “It was fantastic that, in addition to the support fromBlack- rod residents, we also received backing from the mayor and mayoress of Bolton, the mayor and mayoress of Westhoughton, yourself and Janet, as well as the deputy mayoresses of West- houghton and Horwich.” I asked Derek beforehand if this was an event where I should wear my mayoral chains, and he said it was up to me. I decided against it, and as a result, I wasn’t chosen to go ‘on stage’ and do silly things like pretend to be an aeroplane or perform the pointy finger dance to the tune of YMCA, as Derek and Andy Morgan, the mayor of Bolton, had to. Dodged a bullet there, I think! NOVEMBER 23: Horwich at War Exhibition Horwich Heritage Cen- tre is currently running a ‘Horwich at War’ exhibition, and the mayoress and I went down to officially open it. It was fascinating to read some of the stories of Hor- wich folk involved in the two World Wars in the 20th cen- tury and to see photographs and records of the time. The Loco Works and De Havilland both contributed to the war effort, and if you visit the Heritage Centre, they have produced two books – Horwich in World War One, and Horwich in World War Two – that are well worth a read if you are interested in local history and the effect the war had on Horwich and its people. Steve Chadwick – former mayor of Horwich – and Ken Chaisty, are pictured here looking at Louis Chaisty’s war record. Louis is Ken’s uncle and Steve’s great uncle. NOVEMBER 23: St Catherine’s Parish Church ‘Christmas Market’ WE went along at the invitation of St Catherine’s to see their Christmas Market. When we arrived, the event was in full swing, and we spent an hour or so browsing the stalls and chatting with the stallholders. THE mayor of Blackrod invited us to observe the lighting of Blackrod’s Christmas tree. The event featured a service supported by a choir and a band. After the ceremony, we went to St Katharine’s Church for mince pies, mulled wine, and more carols performed by the choir. JANET and I attended the children’s nativity service at Trinity Church, which was very well attended and filled to capacity with families and friends of the children from Croft House Nursery. We received an invitation from the nursery following our recent visit for their 35th anniversary celebration. The event commenced with Rev Nicola Butter- worth, who then handed over to Janet Lomax-Baker from Croft House, who narrated the proceedings. We were charmed by the children’s performance and antics as they acted out the Nativity story. The church was alive with laughter and singing, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. At the conclusion, we made our way to the back of the church, where Christmas cake, mince pies, biscuits, and DECEMBER 7: Nativity service at Horwich Parish Church Naturally, the mayoress spent some time at the cake stall; I bought her a knitted neck warmer, and she informed me she’d already bought one! NOVEMBER 26: Blackrod Christmas Tree Lighting soft drinks were laid out for the congregation. Just before we left, a little angel presented Janet with a beautiful bouquet along with a hand-made Christmas card depicting a robin. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Croft House for these lovely gifts.