It’s been almost 3 weeks between Mayoral engagements from just before Christmas, let’s see what she has been up to during January
Wednesday 15th January - Tor View School’s Brand New Minibus
My first official engagement of 2025 took place at Tor View School, where I had the pleasure of attending the handover of a brand-new minibus, generously sponsored by The Michael Josephson (MBE) Charity. It was a heartwarming moment, seeing the excitement and gratitude of the school community.
Thursday 16th January - Bingo Night at the Rose and Bowl, Stacksteads
The next day, I hosted my own Mayoral Charity event – a Bingo Night at the Rose and Bowl in Stacksteads. It was a fantastic evening, with plenty of laughter and friendly competition. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported my chosen charities—your generosity is appreciated.
Saturday 18th January – Breathing Corpses at the Millennium Theatre
Saturday saw myself and my Consort Ian attend a gripping performance of Breathing Corpses at the Millennium Theatre. The cast delivered a fantastic rendition of this murder mystery in reverse, and we thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Monday 20th January – King’s Awards for Voluntary Groups in the Community
Today, I travelled to Preston Council Chambers for the King’s Awards for Voluntary Groups in the Community. It was wonderful to see two of our very own groups—Stacksteads Countryside Park Group and Stubbylee Community Greenhouses—receive well-deserved recognition for their dedication and hard work.
Monday 27th January – Holocaust Memorial Day
This was a solemn day as I attended the Holocaust Memorial Day service at St. George the Martyr Church in Preston. This year marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of remembering those who suffered.
Tuesday 28th January - Youth Enterprise Challenge Awards
I returned to Alder Grange for the Youth Enterprise Challenge Awards in aid of Rossendale Hospice. It felt like just yesterday that I attended the launch, and now, 12 weeks later, I was honoured to present awards to the participating schools—All Saints, Haslingden High, BRGS, Whitworth High, and Alder Grange. Together, they raised an incredible £12,000 for the hospice—an outstanding effort!
Wednesday 29th January – BRGS GCSE Presentation Evening
Wednesday brought another school engagement, as I attended the GCSE presentation evening at BRGS alongside Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Michelle Smith. It was a wonderful event celebrating the hard work and achievements of the students.
Thursday 30th January – Bacup Nursery Book Reading
My final engagement of the month was one of the most enjoyable! I was invited to Bacup Nursery to record a book reading while dressed in my full mayoral robes, chain of office, and tri-corn hat. With the help of Mrs. Donna Pollitt and Miss Sarah Goggins, I read Supertato: Evil Pea and the Beanstalk—a delightful experience that I hope the children loved as much as I did!
With just four months left of my mayoral term, I am determined to attend as many events as possible and continue raising vital funds for my chosen charities.
If you would like to invite myself and my Consort Ian to attend a community or school event, the process is simple—just complete the online form on the Council's website. We would be delighted to attend where possible. If you need to check mayoral availability, you can contact the Mayor’s Office at stephaniecarroll@rossendalebc.gov.uk.
For any other mayoral queries, feel free to reach me at judithdriver@rossendalebc.gov.uk.
I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events!