Published Wednesday 27 May 2020 at 12:53
As his journey comes to an end, have a read of our interview with Mayor Councillor Jim Shorrock on the year that has gone by.
The piece featured in our 2020 Shuttle magazine. Read it here:
“To represent the borough has been a great honour and I’ve really enjoyed putting my own spin on things!”
So says current Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, motorbike enthusiast Councillor Jim Shorrock.
Jim, who is reflecting on his year as First Citizen, certainly started his time in charge with a bang.
“How many Mayors have had the choir sing Super Tramp at their Civic Service?” he laughs.
He quickly made his mark in the history books too becoming the first Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen to be in a civil partnership.
“It was an incredibly proud moment for me,” he told Shuttle Extra. “I’m just a working class lad at heart who’s had to battle against adversity my whole life.”
He’s proudly shared his mayoral year with husband Mark as Mayoral Consort and friend Linda Mahon supporting as Mayoress.
Having worked in the pub trade throughout his life, Jim, councillor for Blackburn South East, believes that’s where his passion for community and events originated.
“I’m a social creature, I love people,” he smiles.
“I love the process of organising events; it’s all about attention to detail. I have a motto – do it on time and right first time.
“I don’t like prepared speeches either. I like to speak from both my head and my heart in the moment. That’s what people can relate to. That’s when they listen.”
During his free time, you’ll find Jim out and about in Blackburn with Darwen, chatting to locals in pubs or out driving around on his three-wheeled trike.
“My time off has been spent in the borough,” he says, “I think it’s very important to spend your money in your own town to help it continue to thrive.”
Jim fondly speaks of many highlights during his year as Mayor.
“Morphgate was a fantastic event,” he says, “I really hope that it will be continued yearly.”
Morphgate, a mix of his title and Blackburn’s Northgate, celebrated the area’s revitalisation and raised vital funds for the Mayor’s four chosen charities – Every Action has Consequences, Derian House Children’s Hospice, THOMAS and Youth Action.
He also enjoyed being involved with the DIY SOS Big Build for BBC Children in Need.
“It was amazing to see so many local people diving in to help the young people who needed it,” he says. “It really shows that people in our borough care.
“I also really enjoyed the Nightsafe sleep out. It was a humbling experience as sadly it’s the reality for so many young people in this area.
“Again it was fantastic to see the community coming together to help those who need it.”
Being a pub man, he was also delighted to develop an exclusive gin in celebration of his inauguration as Mayor.
Cotton Borough Gin is now a resounding success and is stocked in several pubs around Blackburn with Darwen.
And although his time as Mayor might be coming to a close, this isn’t the end for Jim’s charitable activities.
“I have enjoyed every visit and every event.” Jim says of his Mayoral year.
“I’m not saying that I’ve done everything perfectly, there were probably some things I could have done better, but I did my best.
“I think it’s important to surround yourself with people of different ages. You can learn from each other and work together to break down barriers.”
The annual Mayor’s Ball was set to be Jim’s final hurrah as Mayor, however, the current coronavirus situation has meant that it had to be cancelled earlier this year.
