On sunday I was delighted to be able to attend my first Carol Concert of the christmas season.

I was pleased to support Heaton Park Primary school Choir (I’m a school Governor), at a Bury Music Service concert held at the Longfield Suite.

It was a real pleasure to see so many there supporting the orchestra and choir and getting in the festive spirit. Well done to all especially the musicians and the singers for all their efforts.

That was the most common question visitors to my home asked on sunday when faced by the wall of evergreen that is our Christmas Tree.

I can confirm that the D’Albert family have made a massive error of judgement and clearly have no idea of scale. I of course lay the blame squarely at the current Mrs D’Albert. She requested a big/bushy tree from the tree seller and that is what he brought us. Wrapped up in netting at the time, the true scale and density of what we had purchased only started to dawn on me when it took five of us to carry it to the car. It took an hour to get it from the car and into the house. It not so much sits in our bay window as embraces every aspect of it.

Truly a tree of biblical proportions perhaps fitting in that respect for fast approaching bibical festivities but it also clearly highlights the crazy world that seems to engulf many of us (including myself) at this time of year when we get swept away by the whole occasion. Let the festivities begin!   

In a resounding thumbs down vote against Congestion Charging ALL 10 Greater Manchester Authorities voters have rejected proposals to introduce Congestion Charging as part of a massive Transport investment package.

The vote was a damning verdict on congestion charging in the proposed format to secure investment with nearly 80% of over a million voters voting NO to the scheme and only 20% in favour (only 218,860 of vote cast).

This is what you get when an out of touch government bullies local councils into a scheme without being prepared to listen to local concerns. Millions of pounds of public money has been wasted in holding a referendum on a fatally flawed ill-thought out scheme and millions more wasted on publicity to promote it. Its a disaster for the area that is still in need of massive public transport investment.

I hope the Government will now go back to the drawing board, listen to what local councils and local people are saying and develop a sustainable scheme with finance proposals that can be supported by local people.

And, I for one sincerely hope that any new scheme takes account of the currently very expensive cost of using public transport in this area. If we can make the transport system more affordable that will cut congestion at a stroke!

My journey to the abyss (The Trafford Centre) last night was highlighted by the D’Albert annual purchase of Christmas Crackers. Now it has to be confessed that I like crackers and in particular I am a sucker for wasting a big chunk of my dwindling disposable income on the ones with real gifts (ie not plastic brightly coloured oddities moulded by somalian slaves while passing time in captivity in the Indian Ocean).

So I made my selection and approached the sales counter. “Are you over 16?” enquired the checkout lady. Initially I thought this a cheap joke designed to highligt my distinct lack of flowing locks and the rest. But no, it turns out they have to point out to everyone that they are only for sale to over 16′s. Its health and safety policy, I was told. When asked what the danger was I was told that the explosive device accompanied by small objects is considered a potential danger.

Worry not dear reader, please be assured that the Christmas crackers in question are now encased 40ft below the D’Albert residence, surrounded by 12 feet thick lead casing for fear of triggering a major incident.I have alerted Bury’s Emergency Planning team and the Governments Cobra Committee in case a major incident occurs on our dining table shortly before the Queens speech on the big day!

Perhaps they will carry Government health warnings in future – absolutely crackers!

Children and parents in Bury will benefit from new proposals for free childcare for every family, claims a leading local Liberal Democrat. 

Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Bury South has welcomed the proposals, launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg, which offer parents:

The Government’s plans for new laws will do little to help hard-pressed families in Bury, claim  leading local Liberal Democrats.

The plans were outlined in the Queen’s Speech but disappointed Liberal Democrats say that the Government’s announcements will do very little to help people in Bury cope with the recession.

Latest figures from the Congestion Charge referendum returning officer show that already 27% or 38,394 Bury voters have returned their ballot papers for the referendum (Manchester is only at 13%).

Whilst clearly no one knows how people have actually voted it certainly indicates a strong desire from Bury voters to be heard on this issue.

Polls close on December 11th – so your ballot paper must be in the post well before that deadline. Don’t get caught up in the Christmas post!

It was good to see such a healthy turn out at the Prestwich Christmas lights switch on last night. On what was a bitterly cold evening many braved the cold to get a glimpse of Santa – sadly I was ineligible – and be entertained by some performers – doing their best to warm us all up with christmas spirit.

Pity the christmas lights don’t extend beyond the tree. We could do with some down the high street and around the precinct. Perhaps something to be looked at following regeneration.

Meetings /Events I am scheduled to attend this month along with a couple of other useful or important dates:

1st - Prestwich Christmas Lights Switch-on and Santa arrival from 4.00pm, Longfield Precinct

2nd – Meeting with Six Town Housing

3rd – Meeting of Bury Councils Executive Committee (Cllr Tim Pickstone represents the Lib Dems)

5th – Heaton Park School Christmas Fair (another appearance from Santa!) from 5.30pm

5th – The Civic Ball (in aid of the Mayors Charities), Longfield Suite Prestwich

8th – Area Partnership Chairs, 6.30pm Bury Town Hall

11th – DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF CONGESTION CHARGE POSTAL BALLOTS

14th – Christmas Carol Concert, Bury Music Service and Heaton Park School children, The Longfield Suite from 2pm

17th – Full Meeting of Bury Council, 7.00pm Town Hall, Bury.

18th – Greater Manchester Police Carol Services – Bury Parish Church, 7.15pm

23rd – Planning Committee – Bury Town Hall

25th – Christmas Day !