RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR THE RETIRING MAYOR
It is with great pleasure, that Blackpool Council places on record its appreciation of the duties
so very ably and enthusiastically undertaken by Councillor Joan Greenhalgh, as Mayor of
Blackpool. Her dedication for the town, together with her many years of service on the
Council have stood her in good stead for her year as Blackpool’s civic head.
The Blackpool Mayoralty again maintained its status as a busy one this year with a variety of
civic engagements. The town still attracts a large number of conferences and the Mayor and
Mayoress attended a variety of annual gatherings such as; National Pensioners Convention,
UK Bus Driver of the Year Awards, Town Criers, USDAW, Royal Pigeon Racing Association,
CIU, Royal British Legion, Association of the Electoral Administrators and National Federation
of Occupational Pensioners, to name a few.
Many Ex-Service organisations still hold their Annual Reunions in Blackpool and Joan and Pat
attended reunions of the D-Day and Normandy Veterans, the Canal Zoners, the Parachute
Regimental Association, Burma Star Veterans, Battle of Britain Veterans and the HMS
Penelope Association.
Blackpool Armed Forces Week, held during June, was again a great success attracting
thousands of visitors to the town and the Mayor and Mayoress attended a variety of events
during the week, amongst the highlights being the Flag Raising Ceremony at the beginning of
the week and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Sunday 26th June.
During her Mayoral year Joan took great enjoyment from a number of national and local
dancing events, namely the World Ballroom Dancing Congress, Whittaker’s Dance Centre 60th
Anniversary and, of course, Strictly Come Dancing’s live broadcast from the Tower Ballroom
before Christmas.
Joan took great interest in older peoples’ organisations during the year attending the
Pensioners’ Parliament, the Carer’s Centre and visiting various care and rest homes.
This year’s Illuminations Switch On performed by Keith Lemon was once again a prominent
event in the civic diary and Joan and Pat enjoyed meeting Keith and a number of celebrities
backstage.
They were also delighted to be part of the judging team for the World Fireworks
Championships, which attracted thousands of spectators to the Promenade in September.
Blackpool’s regeneration played a large part in Joan’s year in office, seeing the opening of the
Central Sea Wall, the launch of the new Bombardier tram, the grand re-opening of Central
Library and the opening of Festival House.
Another highlight of the year was the Royal Visit on Tuesday 7th February to the town, where
Joan and Pat had the honour of welcoming HRH the Earl of Wessex upon his arrival at the
Pleasure Beach. Joan and Pat were again able to greet The Earl at the University Centre,
Palatine Road and bade the Earl farewell from the University Centre giving Blackpool a huge
amount of well deserved publicity.
Joan took great pleasure in welcoming our new citizens to the town at the many very popular
Citizenship Ceremonies that were held throughout the year. This Mayoral Year also saw the
Council Chamber and the Mayoralty hosting the Army Recruitment team and new army
recruits at their Junior Oaths of Allegiance proving a proud and moving event for all involved.
There has been some sadness during Joan’s Mayoral year with the losses of both Cllr Mary
Smith and Cllr Jim Houldsworth – it is always difficult to lose good colleagues and friends and
they will be sadly missed.
This year, the Mayoral team had chosen three local charities to benefit from the Mayor’s
Charity Appeal. These were Brian House, Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary and Cat’s Paws
Sanctuary and over £7,000 has been raised for these charities.
A special reference has to be made to the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, Allan and
Angela Matthews, for their wonderful support and contribution to this Mayoral Year and to
Father Geoff Bottoms who acted as Mayor’s Chaplain and assisted at Council Meetings and
other civic events.
This resolution would not be complete without particular reference to the Mayoress, Pat, who
supported her mother at all major events throughout the year and to Chris and family for their
continued support during the last 12 months.
To Joan and Pat, Blackpool Council places on record its sincere appreciation of their services
as Mayor and Mayoress, and expresses the hope that memories of their mayoral year will
stay with them forever.
The Council extends to them both, every good wish for the future.