Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Denton and Reddish Weekly News. 

It's been a busy week, not least with the local elections taking place yesterday. A huge thanks again to everyone who voted and made sure that their voices were heard locally. There were some fantastic results for local Labour candidates across Denton and Reddish.

We've a historic few days in store, with the Coronation of King Charles III taking place tomorrow in Westminster Abbey and celebrations scheduled throughout this bank holiday weekend. There are plenty of events going on across Denton and Reddish, ranging from Coronation Celebrations in Victoria Park to a Coronation Clean-up in Jet Amber Fields. Scroll down to the community board to find out more!

If you look up the word ‘community’ in the dictionary, you get a fairly long (and fairly uninspiring) list of things that may constitute a community. Near the bottom of the dictionary entry, however, one example always stands out to me: ‘‘joint ownership or liability’’.

I think this is an interesting aspect of community that is often forgotten about. Community isn’t just about living in the same place. It’s about recognising that we share the spaces and resources around us and have a responsibility to look out for one another. Our actions affect others, and when we work together to improve our local area, we all benefit.

Community is something that Tameside excels at. I’ve lived in Tameside my whole life and have served various parts of it as an elected representative since 1996. In that time, I’ve seen community spirit grow and grow, and reach new heights over the last few years as the pandemic altered our lives in unprecedented ways.

I’ve been inspired by how the local community have responded to the cost of living crisis we currently face. Food banks like St Mary’s Haughton Green and Tameside East in Dukinfield continue to do exceptional work, and charities like The Bread and Butter Thing are growing from strength to strength.

We’ve also seen the advent of various park ‘Friends’ groups and community centres like the Together Centre in Dukinfield and Ryecroft Hall Community Association. In Dane Bank, the local community stepped up and came together earlier this year to keep the Denton West Community Centre open.

None of these local initiatives can function without people. Volunteers often do vital work with little to no recognition, so it’s important to occasionally stop and thank those who donate their time to community groups, as well as things like Scouts, Guides, sports clubs and much more. These individuals are the beating heart of the local area, and without them Tameside wouldn’t be the vibrant, caring and proactive community it is today.

So, as we approach the summer, and the various community initiatives that will come alongside it, take a moment to appreciate the volunteers’ making things tick.

Even better, if you find yourself with some free time, get involved with something local. It’s a great way to meet friends, neighbours, and connect with the community here in Tameside.

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2023 🗳️

Yesterday was polling day for the Local Elections, where we had 'all-out' contests in Tameside and Stockport, meaning three Councillors were elected per ward. As the dust settles, I'd like to say an enormous well done to all the candidates who were elected and who stood in this year's local elections.

Elections are a tough business, and it takes a lot of guts to put yourself forward. I'd like to pay tribute to Jo Williams, David White and Paul Wright in Reddish South. This year wasn't yours, but you have campaigned and worked tirelessly for local people. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of you!

Finally, I'd also like to thank Roy Driver, Kate Butler and Oliver Ryan - three Councillors who have retired this year but who have done a superb job. 

I look forward to working with everyone who has been elected, and delivering for the local people we are all honoured to represent. 

BLEED CABINET VISIT  

A big thank you to Kirstie Smith at Carol. Creations on Ashton Road who invited me and Allison to visit the “bleed cabinet” she had installed outside the shop in memory of Carol who sadly lost her life to cancer.

I was privileged to know Carol before cancer took her. This box with lifesaving kit inside is a fitting legacy in her memory. 

RONDAR SIGNS 

It was great to visit Rondar Signs Ltd in Dukinfield last week. It’s a brilliant family-owned signage company which was set up in 1973 by Ron Durward from Haughton Green.

When Ron started out, he used traditional tools to write the signs by hand. Today it’s all computerised.

The company has gone from strength to strength over the years and is now celebrating its 50th anniversary, which in itself is a remarkable achievement.

Here’s to the next 50 years of trading!

GOOD NEWS FOR THE RIVER TAME

A good news story for the River Tame for once… last Friday I joined Mersey Rivers Trust, Friends of the Tame Valley and United Utilities at the launch of their River Rangers initiative.

There are currently 4 Rangers who are focusing on the Tame, and helping to clean up the riverbank of debris and tipping, as well checking on water quality and engaging with Friends Groups and other users along the course of the River.

Last week we tended to the river bank alongside the UU Dukinfield Water Treatment Works at Jet Amber Fields. Lots of waste was removed. Thanks to all who came along!

 WATCH: In FCDO questions, I raise the issue of human rights abuses in Iran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard are a paramilitary group with extensive influence in Iran and around the globe. They are responsible for kidnap and death plots on British soil, as well as the brutal crackdown on Iranian protestors.

I ask the Foreign Secretary when he will act and proscribe the IRGC.

 I had a lovely morning on Tuesday meeting the King ahead of his coronation at the weekend in Parliament.

Westminster Hall works so well for state occasions, it’s almost like it was built for events like this!

Lovely to see the Speaker’s historic state coach restored and on display too.

 READ: Thanks to Politico for covering my recollection of meeting the inimitable Queen Elizabeth II, and what the monarchy means for us here in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Read the full piece here.