Page 21 - Real Rochdale Issue 10 Summer 2021

FRIENDS OF BIELEFELD
HIGHLIGHTS OF A MAYORAL YEAR One of my very first events as mayor was joining

the Friends of Tourcoing on their biannual trip to
France. This was followed by a trip to Bielefeld,
Councillor Billy Sheerin Germany with the Friends of Bielefeld group.
was sworn in as the
Mayor of Rochdale in Both Tourcoing and Bielefeld are twin towns of
May 2019 and ended Rochdale and have been linked for many years,
up serving as mayor for I believe to establish healing and bonding after
two years due to the the wars. The friends’ groups do a sterling job in
keeping the twinning momentum going.
Covid-19 pandemic.

In France, I met with Jean Marie Vuylsteker, the
Here, he reflects on Maire de Tourcoing, and observed the voting in
some of his highlights. the European Parliament election, the count, and
the way the French conduct elections.

In Bielefeld, I stayed with two wonderful hosts,
retired lecturer, Dr Manfred Froehich and his
Mayor Billy Sheerin and Mayoress Lynn Sheerin wife, Mechthild, and I was looked after very well.

I had a tour of the city and learnt the history of
MAYOR’S CAROL SERVICE
Bielefeld. We also visited the city of Soest and
Möhnesee, a famous reservoir and dam in North
Another big event which gave me a great deal of
satisfaction was the annual Mayor’s Civic Carol Germany, for a cruise.
Service in December 2019, which I chose to hold
Mayor Billy Sheerin holding the skull of Dippy I made a civic visit to the bürgermeister (mayor)
at St John the Baptist RC Church.
at Belefield Rathaus (town hall) and met Fräulein
Karin Shrader – the first Mayor of Bielefield –
The mayoral role is a very important part The most enjoyable part of being the mayor was In the presence of the Bishop of Salford John before finishing on a relaxing note in the spa
of the council; it’s a position of authority, meeting up with the other nine mayors of Arnold, the multi-faith service included a town of Bad Salzuflen.
but also a position of privilege and honour, Greater Manchester and meeting Mark selection of popular carols. Guest readers also
which must be handled carefully with Adlestone, Greater Manchester’s High Sheriff spoke about what Christmas means to their It is so important to keep Rochdale’s twin links
humility and understanding. for 2019/2020, who joined us on most of our different faiths, including Mirazam Neeli (Imam with our European neighbours. I encourage the
events. We built a sort of comradery amongst of Masjid Mosque) on Islam and Mark Adlestone young people of Rochdale to get involved to
I’ve had 10 months as a mayor and 14 ourselves, which I will always cherish. (High Sheriff of Greater Manchester) on allow the link to carry on for many years to come.
months as a symbolic mayor, during which Judaism. There are great opportunities to experience
time I chaired various virtual meetings, I had the pleasure of inviting my fellow mayors these places through the eyes of the locals.
and there were very few civic events I to visit Dippy at Number One Riverside when he It was a very special event for me, learning all the
could physically attend, all due to the arrived. They were all amazed at the sight of a different outlooks.
pandemic. However, what I shall not suffer dinosaur in an ultra-modern building. The funds raised by the Mayors Charity
from is standing down as, sadly, it feels as Appeal for 2019 - 2020 were split between
though I stood down those 14 months ago. I remember clearly when Dippy arrived in Springhill Hospice, Rochdale Connections
Rochdale; it was a great day which filled the Trust, Rochdale Shopmobility, Parkinson’s,
I have enjoyed the privilege of being ‘Mr town with excitement as everyone wished the Leukaemia UK, Hydro Pool, M6 Theatre, and
Mayor’ – it allowed me to meet many dinosaur a warm welcome to the borough and Rochdale MS Society, with each receiving an
amazing people who do so much good offered the hope of tons of visitors to our town. amount between £1,500 and £2,500.
work for the benefit of the people of the
borough. The initial impact of Dippy was terrific for not This is only possible thanks to the dedication
only Rochdale, but the whole North West. and hard work of the members of the
I sincerely thank all of you that contribute I was very sad to see him dismantled and sent Mayor’s charity committee.
to make our town a better place to live. back to London.
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