Deputy Mayor - information
Deputy Mayor of Rochdale - Councillor James
Gartside
Although born in Stockport in 1945, Jim spent the 50’s in
Yorkshire. The decade of the 60’s however found him in Blackpool
coffee bars until he married Jane in 1969 and life improved
immeasurably. They moved to Rochdale where they have lived ever
since. 
He gained a respectable Business Studies degree in
London and a couple of other qualifications, plus two children and
more latterly a clutch of grandchildren too. After a spell in
accountancy the manufacturing world of textiles beckoned and he
joined Shiloh Spinners Ltd, as it was then called, as a management
trainee. After mill management, accounting and computer experience
and a couple of directorships, the local world of politics was
suggested. In 1986 he joined the Council as a Conservative. In
between paid work during the day and Council work in the evening
hobbies were, and still are, few and far between. However, on two
weekends a year he heads for the Lakes with St Paul’s Church,
Norden, Walking Group. The Group claims that re-hydration after
long walks is an essential ingredient to maintain stability on the
Fells. In recent decades Jim has been involved with many local
organizations, including Parkinson’s Society and the Rochdale Blind
Welfare Association, and some national ones, with all of which he
is delighted to be associated. He is also Governor of a very
successful school, Norden Community Primary School. Jane and he are
both looking forward to their year as Deputy Mayor and Mayoress,
and relish the honour that the Borough has extended to them.
Councillor
Deputy Mayoress - Councillor Jane
Gartside
Jane Gartside was born in 1942 in Blackpool; she worked for
Marks & Spencer as a management trainee and then attended
University in Southampton and became a Child Care Officer for
Lancashire County 
Council. Jane married Jim in 1969 and had two
children, Elizabeth born in 1972 and Anne born in 1975. Both were
born at Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale. They now have 6
grandchildren. Jane became a Councillor for Norden & Bamford in
1983 and a Magistrate in 1984. After the separation of Norden &
Bamford in 2004 she has since represented Bamford. Her main
interests throughout have been social services, the voluntary
sector and the welfare of her constituents. She has been Chairman
and Deputy Chairman during the 1990’s and more recently Chairman of
Community Care Committee and recently the Policy Overview
Committee. Jane has long-term interests in overseas links, the
NSPCC, is President of Rochdale Blind Welfare Society, her other
interests include being a member the Norman Barnes Fund, Borough of
Rochdale Fund, the Rochdale United Charities and she is a member of
the Adoption Panel. Last August Jane retired after more than 25
years as a Governor of St Michaels School, Whittaker Moss School
and also the Alf Kaufman School. Jane has also been a member of the
Local Government Association (LGA) as well as many other various
associations and committees. Having already experienced being a
Mayor of Rochdale in her own right in 1997-98 she is looking
forward immensely to her role as being Jim’s Deputy Mayoress.