I’m a couple of days late with my update this week- partly because it’s taking a little longer to write as a result of my wrist fracture, but also to take into account the busy weekend I’ve just had.

Since my last update, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Altrincham & Sale West, Connor Rand, has asked me to be his Election Agent, which I was very pleased to agree to.  Altrincham & Sale West is a very special place for me- it provided my first introduction to Labour Party campaigning back in 1997 when our then candidate, Jane Baugh, came within 1505 votes of becoming the local MP.  It’s also where I was Campaign Co-ordinator during the 2005 General Election, Parliamentary Candidate in 2010 and Election Agent for James Wright in 2015.  So my ties with the area go back quite a way.  This was going to be the first General Election since 2001 where I didn’t have some form of organisational role, and I’m quietly a little bit pleased that’s no longer the case!

Much of last week was spent taking the tram between the Town Hall and the Altrincham/Sale area as I balanced my work as Council Leader with my role supporting Connor with his campaign.  This has included knocking on a lot of doors (with my left hand) and receiving feedback from local residents- which is always a very valuable exercise in any case.

I’ve also been reliant on the NHS again this week with trips to the MRI and Trafford General- which afforded me the opportunity to use the Bee Network App.  It’s really good to see the enhancements made to the app since it launched, and it made my bus journeys much easier.

At the Town Hall last week I had several meetings, including with individual members of the Council’s Executive to discuss the year ahead.

One highlight of my week was chairing a meeting of Trafford’s Cultural Transformation Hub.  The hub brings together representatives from different sectors as we work together to bring our Cultural Strategy to life.  Each meeting has a different theme and this time the theme was Trafford’s rich and diverse heritage.  Our Heritage Officer gave a fascinating presentation on some of our heritage and some of the firsts we can celebrate as a place.  It’s well worth exploring our online collections as you may, like me, learn something new about the area we call home.

Last week was also special, and poignant, for another reason as we marked the 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings.  It was a privilege to visit a commemoration event at Oakfield Lodge Care Home in Sale, as well as participate in two events organised with help from Trafford Council.  Last Thursday at 9.15pm I joined the Mayor, veterans, representatives from our Armed Forces and cadets alongside council colleagues at the Town Hall steps to light a lantern to mark the occasion.  I also said a few words, which included remembering Trooper William Eric Crookell who was born in Stretford and landed on Gold Beach on 6 June 1944.  Sadly he died on D-Day and was just 20 years old.  We must never forget the sacrifices made by that generation.

On Sunday I participated in a D-Day Service at St Margarets Church in Altrincham.  This was another poignant occasion and I will always remember the powerful words from British Army Veteran Craig Monaghan as he provided his firsthand experience of the front line in more recent conflicts.

Those who have served and are serving in our Armed Forces help to keep us safe and secure and allow us to live freely- including participating in democracy.  And on that note, it was good to see so many people join Connor Rand’s campaign launch on Saturday as we head into the final few weeks of the General Election before people across the UK elect our next Government.