I’M really looking forward to Saturday when we will be welcoming the HMS Dido Association to Bolton for a fantastic day of entertainment in Victoria Square.

Bolton has had a strong relationship with the Dido for many years and it was a great honour for the council to confer the Freedom of the Borough on the Dido crews in 1972.

There are lots of things going on tomorrow as part of the special programme we’ve arranged to welcome our Dido friends, including free-to-enter competitions and draws, a climbing wall, balloon magic, children’s art and activities and a chance to meet Charlie the Clown Fish from Blue Planet Aquarium and a special robot friend. I’m pleased the Houghton Weavers will be entertaining the public from the steps as part of our programme and the Ellesmere Port Sea Cadet Band will be with us too and Bolton FM will be around all day.

We’ve been working with The Bolton News and we are looking forward to meeting the winner and runners-up of the Design a Plate competition. We’re also looking forward to seeing friends from Greater Manchester Police in fancy dress when they will be promoting their Guinness World Record attempt to push a bed up the Britain’s highest road.

At 11.30am there will be a special ceremony at the Town Hall steps when the Vicar of Bolton will conduct the Dedication of the HMS Dido Association Standard.

Following that, I will be presenting Pingat Jasa Malaysian medals to HMS Dido Association crew members who served in the Malaysian conflict of 1957 to 1966.

We’ll also be raising money for Help for Heroes and the RNLI and I hope lots of people will come to Victoria Square to enjoy a great day and give generously for these worthy causes. In the meantime, if anyone has any queries, call the Mayor’s Office on 01204 331090. Thank you for your support.

Cllr John Byrne Mayor of Bolto