30 July 2012: All for one, and one for all

It's not often we're all in agreement on this council, but I was glad that the special council meeting we held to support the Fusiliers voted unanimously to campaign against plans to disband the 2nd Battalion.

Our efforts are spreading across the conurbation - Bury has been chosen to lead the campaign by the other Greater Manchester councils. We need as many signatures as we can if the Government is to change its mind - petitions are available in all council buildings, or you can sign the e-petition here.

Were you cheering for Danny Boyle at the Olympics opening ceremony? I certainly was, and what an astounding spectacle he (and his many helpers) put on for the viewing world. From the Industrial Revolution to the NHS, from Shakespeare to the Sex Pistols, Danny - who we are proud to call a Freeman of the Borough -  did us all proud. Just to show I'm a friend to the stars, here's a picture of me and Danny.

 Talking about sport - it was a pleasure to be at the official opening of the new £2 million gymnastics centre at Goshen, which will be the breeding ground for the sports stars of tomorrow on the national and international stage. It's another example of top-quality investment in Bury despite the recession.

It was also a pleasure to meet the latest group of young people who are doing work experience with us under the Backing Young Bury project. They're a great bunch, they all want to work, they just want someone to give them a chance. I wish I could have offered them jobs right there and then.

If you haven't done so already, please take part in the council's review of the library service. We've had a great response so far, with more than 1,000 people sending in their questionnaires. What we would really like is to hear from more people in Bury who do not use the libraries - perhaps you can tell us why you don't, and what sort of library service would persuade you to use them. Questionnaires can be picked up at any local library, or you can fill it in online here.

I finally know that it's not me who is jinxing Bury FC. Coming back from visiting my brother in Anglesey, I got caught up in the crash on the M56, and it took so long to get home that I missed the friendly against Burnley. The Shakers lost anyway, even without the curse of me. I'll be back at the club shortly to launch the new team kit - and I can't wait for the new season to begin. Season tickets are on sale now, folks...