The Cab Ride I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me.. She wore a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no pictures or clocks on the walls, and no ornaments to be seen. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist her. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.


'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.. ' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an lift operator. We drove through the area where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow down in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.. As the first hint of sun was meeting the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a short driveway.


Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the boot and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said. 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dimming evening light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that evening, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had got an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


Councillor Colette McCormack. Mayor of Hyndburn. It has been a busy few weeks in the Mayor’s Office but I think I’m starting to get used to everything now. I’ve learnt a lot about the protocols and traditions surrounding the Mayorality which I would like to share with you. I was surprised to find out that the office of Mayor is one of the oldest in the country dating back to the Norman Conquest in 1066. Since the Middle Ages the Mayor has been acknowledged as the first citizen of their town or borough and held considerable power. The position of the Mayor was always held by a wealthy gentleman. It wasn’t until the mid 20th century that we began to see lady Mayor’s. Hyndburn’s first lady Mayor was Mrs Grace Rothwell who held office from 1953 – 1954. We had a new hat made for her as she couldn’t wear the traditional hat worn by the men.


It wasn’t until the 1974 Local Government reorganisation that the role of the Mayor was redefined. At that point it became compulsory for the Mayor to be a serving member of the council and the social and ceremonial role was brought to the forefront as their political powers were curtailed. Today, my role as the first citizen of Hyndburn is to symbolise the monarchy, the Borough of Hyndburn and Hyndburn Council. My job is to uphold the history and traditions which surround the mayorality whilst also reflecting the more inclusive and open society we live in today. History lesson over, I’d like to tell you about some of the places I’ve visited and people I’ve met over the last few weeks. I was really impressed with the turn out for the Armed Forces Day parade and service in Great Harwood despite the terrible weather. It was heart warming to see so many people come out to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our boys and girls in the forces. It was lovely to meet the residents of Oakhill Park mansion at their open day on Saturday 2nd July. They made the Mayoress and I feel so welcome. We also very much enjoyed the concert at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre by Heathland’s school. I was really pleased to be made an Honorary Member of the Accrington Rotary Club at their meeting on the 7th July. The new club president John Oxford is running a wonderful campaign this year to collect unused musical instruments and donate them to local schools. If you have any instruments gathering dust in your attics that you would like to donate to a good cause please contact my office. Our first charity night was a roaring success and I would like to thank Mitali Restaurant on Warner Street for the superb food and service they provided on the night. We raised over £600 to get the charity fund off to a flying start. I would also like to thank the number of people who have given donations to the fund. I am also very excited to announce that we have booked The Swing Commanders to perform at the Mayor’s Ball next February. In case you haven’t heard of them, The Swing Commanders are a hugely popular group with strong local links whose talents have taken them all over Europe and America. I’m really excited about having them at the Ball. For more information about upcoming events, to invite me to an event you are holding or to put your name down for the Mayor’s Ball please contact my office on 01254 380285 or the mayoraloffice@hyndburnbc.gov.uk Thanks, Colette.


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