Snow Patrol and geese in Parbold were on West Lancashire Mayor Cllr Rob Bailey’s agenda this week

Feb 9 2012 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

A SLIGHT lull in Mayoral activities this week, but a hectic one family wise.

With my eldest daughter growing up fast, this week was options week with regard to which GCSEs she wants to take.

I still keep calling them “O-Levels” and struggle with the fact that it’s Year 9, instead of the third year, although apparently it’s changing back to exams and continuous assessment is being dropped.

After the options meeting, we headed directly into Liverpool to the Echo Arena for a Snow Patrol concert. Lots of flashing lights and graphics, but somewhat lost on the kids and the eight-year-old cuddled up and drifted off to sleep.

Better try something hip and with it next time, just no idea what is hip at the moment.

Thursday and a trip down to Bristol to run a seminar on local authority transport. The event was held in Brunel's old station, possibly the oldest station in continuous use in the world.

What it did determine is that, for the foreseeable future, most of the heavy vehicles used by councils will be running on diesel.

Technology has a long way to go before refuse freighters are battery powered.

Returning to Parbold, I had the added joy of joining the rangers, parish councillors and residents in capturing seven geese that had been left to fend for themselves and become rather a village menace. Unfortunately, the geese had the benefit of a canal to retreat to, and, in the dark, it took a couple of hours to persuade them not only to get out of the water but to allow themselves to be placed in the dog warden’s van. Geese are now thriving well in Dalton. Friday evening and a briefing session in Manchester with regard to the forthcoming Police commissioner elections in November.

With only a few months left to go, the process is still uncertain and looks likely to be reliant on TV coverage.

Sunday and a trip to Blackburn cathedral for Education Sunday.

This provided an opportunity to catch up with the Mayors from across Lancashire, many of whom had experienced several inches of snow. Unlike last year, West Lancs was a snow- free zone.

Several awards were given out and it was gratifying to see one of our local schools, Appley Bridge CE Primary School, being commended for their excellence in religious education.