Mayoral Briefing: Cllr Paul Greenall’s latest week as West Lancs’ first citizen (04/10/12)

Oct 4 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

AFTER a busy weekend in France, Louise and I were happy to have a few days off.

Last week began on Thursday, when we went to inspect the Sea Cadets in Tanhouse, Skelmersdale. The occasion was an awards ceremony and it was great to see so many dedicated young people. Perhaps more importantly, it was great to see this very useful community facility was being provided by volunteers and paid for by public donations.

Friday started with a “Big Coffee” morning at Glenburn Sports College. The event was in aid of Macmillan cancer research and the effort that the pupils and staff had put into this was tremendous. After coffee, we went to Ormskirk School, which was celebrating its 400th anniversary. This was a fantastic event, not only for the School but for Ormskirk and West Lancashire. After all, how many schools in the UK have 400 years of history?

In the main hall was a display of school-related artefacts which frankly should be in a museum and are well worth seeing, and several teachers were dressed in period costumes.

Later that evening, we all returned to Ormskirk School to witness a ceremonial tree being planted by Lord Derby. As a humble couple who attended a comprehensive school in Kirkby, founded in the 1950s, it was a tremendous honour for Louise and I to have shared this very special day in the history of this great School.

Saturday morning saw us all head off to Scarisbrick. The event was the annual scarecrow competition.We had done this last year as Deputies and we had looked forward to it for weeks.

Basically, Scarisbrick residents, businesses and schools were asked to make a scarecrow and leave in public view. Our job was to help judge the best entries and it was great! On Saturday evening, Louise and I went are separate ways; she attended a charity event in Ormskirk Civic Hall and I attended a concert at Ormskirk School to mark the end of their 400th anniversary celebrations. The music, singing and dancing was provided by the pupils and the talent they displayed was quite remarkable, and far in excess of what I would expect from people their age. They were a credit to their school.

Our week ended with a visit to the West Lancashire light railway in Hesketh Bank. Begun in the 1960s by a group of teenage boys, this facility has grown into something which is well worth a visit; we both recommend it.