Rossendale’s new mayor who works for one of Lancashire’s best known bakeries

The new Mayor of Rossendale has close links to Bacup, works for a well-known Lancashire bakery and has used his accountancy skills to help many community groups.

Coun Andrew Walmsley is the Mayor and his partner, Pat Smith, is the Mayoress. As a youngster, Andrew grew up in the Bacup and Stacksteads area, attended All Saints High School and later studied accountancy at Blackburn College.

Today, he works as finance director for the Oddie’s bakery chain, based in Nelson. But over the years he has also used his accountancy skills as a volunteer to help various Rossendale groups and projects.

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He was appointed as Mayor at Rossendale Borough Council’s annual meeting where guests included two grandchildren, Holly and Teddy Smith, pictured with him. Speaking at the ceremony, Labour Coun Jackie Oakley said: “It gives me great pleasure to nominate Andrew for mayor. I cannot think of anyone better to represent the borough, working alongside Pat.

“We already have a close working relationship with Andrew. I know he spends an awful lot of time working for Bacup and the borough. I think residents know that too. He juggles working full-time in his day job with being a councillor, being a portfolio holder [on the cabinet] and promoting local groups and projects.

“At the moment, he is involved with the Bacup Flower Pot Festival. Stubbylee Park is a close interest too. He will be a fabulous mayor supported by Pat. They will be a fearsome pair! Enjoy your year.”

Coun Barbara Ashworth said: “Andrew and I go back in time to pre-councillor days before the Bacup Pride community group was formed. There was a consortium which got together to make the place better. We needed a treasurer and Andrew was already known as a treasurer for other groups. We asked him to help and he agreed. He never says no. Bacup Pride evolved from that.

“Another group, Seniors Together in Rossendale, asked Andrew to be treasurer. But people had to be aged over 50 and he was too young. However, Pat stepped-in, knowing he was in the background. Andrew became honorary treasurer but was nick-named the ‘toy-boy treasurer’.”

She added: “Andrew was a community champion before he became a councillor. He became even more-so as a councillor and cabinet member. And now this is a new chapter. Who else deserves it more?”

Coun Walmsley said: “I’m delighted to become the Mayor of Rossendale. This is one of the few times in my life that I’ve struggled to find the words. I’m sure many of you will find that hard to believe. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and said such nice things. I was born and bred in Rossendale and, more accurately, Bacup in the pre-1974 era before local council changes. I still remember, aged five or six, being told the mayor was a very special person. I hope to continue that tradition and be able to do good things too.”

He thanked partner Pat Smith for being the new Mayoress and Janet O’Neill for being chaplain. He quipped: “They have united to keep me in check. I wish them well with that.”

Coun Walmsley also thanked outgoing Mayor Coun Anne Cheetham and said: “If I am half the mayor that you have been, I will be delighted.”

Coun Cheetham was thanked by councillors including David Foxcroft and Gemma Rooke. Outgoing Mayoress Dorothy Jones was also thanked. Their year had included major events such as the late Queen’s jubilee and death, the new King’s proclamation last year and then coronation this spring.

The new Mayor’s charities for the year include Bacup Family Centre, Beacon Dementia & Wellbeing, food provision across Rossendale, including Raft, the Trinity Baptist Food Group and Positive Start, and other local causes. Coun Judith Driver is the new Deputy Mayor and husband, Ian, is her consort. Coun Driver has been a Conservative councillor in the past but is now in the Labour group. She is a school teacher by profession with experience in special education needs,

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