6 August 2012: I've got a little list...

The first person I want to say thanks to this week is Danny Boyle, our Freeman of the Borough, for that truly magnificent Olympics opening ceremony. I have written to him, but not had a response yet. I expect he's a bit busy.

I also want to say thanks to the 1,500-plus residents who have taken part in the council's review of the library service. Every response matters, whether you use the libraries or not. You can fill in the questionnaire online here or at your local library. Council staff will be in the Mill Gate on Saturday (11 Aug), from 10am to 2pm outside the old Marks and Spencer store, to help anyone who would like to take part in the consultation.

And thirdly, another round of thanks to the thousands of you who have signed petitions to save the 2nd Battalion RRF. Again, every signature counts - you can sign the official e-petition here or at council buildings, and also the campaigns being run by the Bury Times Group and the Manchester Evening News.

Sorry for bragging, but I've just come back from a few days in Germany (a private holiday, folks, not one of those fact-finding missions you sometimes read about). I'm pictured here standing outside the Rathaus in the gorgeous city of Hannover. Nothing to do with rats, before anyone starts.

On the ferry back we met a Dutch couple who were going to Buxton for the Gilbert and Sullivan festival. I went there last week to watch The Mikado, so it gave us all a good excuse to start singing Three Little Maids from School. And it's a long way from Rotterdam to Hull, let me tell you.

Finally, I hope you're all going to Gigg Lane on Saturday (11 Aug), when the Shakers kick off the new season against Middlesbrough in the first round of the League Cup. Let's get behind the team and we can really go places this year - not as far as Titipu, perhaps, but it's top of my little list.