Richard Baum

The weekend ahead sees lots of Focus delivery, as well as other things to keep me busy. No chance of a Christmas wind-down, not with half a Sedgley and a whole St Mary’s leaflet to deliver before the end of the year.

However, we are taking time out on Sunday to say a big “thank you” to our leafleters with a pre-Christmas party and celebration of all the hard work they have done for the Councillors and the party in the last twelve months. I wouldn’t have been elected without their help in delivering our leaflets, and they thoroughly deserve our thanks. And the copious amounts of mince pies we’re going to chuck their way on Sunday night.

Also on Sunday I am attending a carol concert in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind People. The concert will take place at St Mary’s Church from 2-4pm, with performances from Crystal Chords - Greater Manchester’s Female Barbershop Harmony, St Mary’s Primary School Choir and Swinton Wind Band. There will also be traditional carols, mine pies and mulled wine.  

On Saturday I am going to stand in the arctic winds of Eastlands for two hours watching Manchester City labour to a frankly unbelievable ninth consecutive home win in what is sure to be an awful game of football against Bolton.

And after that I have to venture once more into the unforgiving retail apocalypse that is the Christmas markets, to finish off the Christmas shopping. No matter how many gifts I buy, and how smug I feel on the way home, I remember soon afterwards that there is some random acquaintance for whom I have not yet purchased the compulsory gift. 

Have good weekends all. 

Rick