I hadn’t realised that Hazel and I already know some people who suffer from Macular Disease until Hazel returned from today’s meeting, held at Havant’s United Reformed Church Meeting Hall, and was relating who was present.  Again, my apologies for not being with you but I only came out of hospital yesterday.

I understand from Hazel that she very much enjoyed meeting and chatting with all the Club members who meet once a month to support each other with advice and information relating to this eye condition that causes central vision loss.  The period of sight deterioration varies per person but has a significant affect on one’s lifestyle as many adaptations and changes have to be made.

I wish you all continued friendship with local people who can share their experience of living with Macular Disease and for the value your Club brings to your members – thank you.

Unfortunately, I was admitted to hospital on Monday and discharged today which resulted with me being unable to attend this special occasion but my Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gerry Shimbart, made a welcome speech and my wife, Hazel, attended on my behalf.

You may be aware that Havant Rotary Club has undertaken a massive project, as our local Olympic organisers, to enable our young people in Havant Borough to experience and demonstrate the Olympic values of friendship, excellence, respect and ideals of inspiration, courage, determination and equality during a 5-days Olympics celebration to be held 25^th-29^th June.

Currently, approx 90% of junior, primary and senior schools have already signed up and   school staff are ready to encourage their students to become fully involved. It is envisaged there will be over 16,500 students, aged from 4 years plus, participating in many sporting events and related activities taking place at various local venues.

All students taking part in the week’s celebrations, in whatever capacity, will each receive a Certificate in acknowledgement of their effort, work and commitment to this special project as they will have demonstrated the seven Olympic values and ideals.

As the Mayor of Havant, I wholeheartedly commend Havant Rotary Club for working with our local schools and creating this fantastic opportunity for our young people to experience so many sporting activities in 5-days.  I’m confident all students will enjoy themselves and will look forward, with added fervour, to the UK 2012 Olympic Games.

Thank you, Havant Rotary Club members, for organising this magnificent event.

Photos kindly provided by Paul Burrows

I’m so pleased that my health improved sufficiently to enable me to attend St Faith’s church today to watch Dynamo Youth Theatre’s production of Les Miserables School Edition.

I now fully appreciate why Hazel returned home buzzing with excitement and praise for this magnificent production after seeing it last week !

I’ve enjoyed seeing Les Miserables in London on a couple of occasions and this local production was equally professional, emotional, enchanting and, I think, even more exciting due to the unconventional venue and superbly talented local youth cast.

All your dedicated rehearsals paid off resulting with a fabulous show that brought tears to the eyes of many audience members.

Dynamo members should all be very proud of your achievements – you are amazing.  Congratulations to all of you and to the talented band and production crew who supported this show.

Special congratulations for Director Andrew Bowker and his team for yet another memorable and successful production.

Hazel and I barely recognised the elegant change to 2327 Squadron Havant Air Cadets this evening when we attended their annual black tie dinner.  They all looked stunning dressed in their evening attire – what a transformation !

We had a most enjoyable evening accompanied by good food and interesting company – thank you to everyone involved.

Our special thanks for raising and donating a significant sum of money towards my Charity Appeal Fund supporting my chosen charities, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Dorothy’s Dream, The Rowans Hospice at Home Appeal.

You’re a special group of people – thank you so much for your generosity.

Today, in my continued absence, Hazel had the privilege of meeting Chris Hunt’s parents, Mr Charles and Mrs Marguerite Hunt, while they attended Havant & Waterlooville Swimming Club’s commemorative annual charity event at Horizon Leisure Centre in Waterlooville.

Since the death of their Master swimmer 44 yr old son during a training session in 2007, each year there is a “challenge” to swim the English Channel using butterfly stroke which was Chris’ favourite stroke.  This year approx 100 swimmers of all ages supported this charity event to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation, the charity chosen by Chris’ parents.

Hazel found it exciting watching the non-stop relay taking place in the pool’s eight lanes and to see the number of lengths achieved constantly increasing eg after 90 minutes, 39.95 miles had been achieved and the total journey to/from France is only 42 miles or 2,704 lengths of the 25m pool !  When France was reached, “La Marseillaise” was played (France’s National Anthem) and on return arrival to the UK “God Save the Queen” was played (our National Anthem)  which all added to the fun and authenticity of this fantastic event.

After 110 minutes the Challenge ended, resulting with 56.59 miles or 3,643 lengths having been achieved.  This equates to/from France and almost entirely around the Isle of Wight which was another favoured area to swim enjoyed by the late Chris Hunt.

We hope everyone enjoyed this special event and that much money was raised for the British Heart Foundation – let’s hope it’s the best to date !  Thank you for inviting us to share the experience and I confirm my apologies for being unable to be there personally.

If anyone is interested in joining Havant and Waterlooville Swimming Club, may we suggest initially visiting the Club’s website www.handwsc.co.uk

Today Hazel attended St Faith’s church to watch Dynamo Youth Theatre’s production of Les Miserables and thoroughly enjoy this superb production as she returned home buzzing with excitement and praise.

She told me that the entire cast and chorus all performed with enthusiasm, emotion, talent and professionalism.  Much hard work during the rehearsal period certainly paid off as it was SO exciting to watch and fabulous to listen to; everyone appeared to give their all and one can’t ask for more commitment than that.

The set design and construction was superb within the unconventional venue. This, together with the excellent costumes, lighting, band and brilliant performers, all added to the atmosphere of this amazing performance.

On behalf of Hazel, I confirm her appreciation and sincere thanks to everyone for providing a very enjoyable evening – so much talent, Dynamo members are awesome !

Photos kindly provided by Paul Burrows

Congratulations to Director Andrew Bowker and his team for another memorable and successful production.

Great Dinner !

This evening sparkled !

Friends, neighbours, colleagues, councillors, past mayors and the current mayoral “chaingang” all supported our Christmas Charity Ball held at Lakeside on Hayling Island.  We were approx 285 people in number which was a great turnout.

This annual event enables everyone to enjoy themselves and tonight was no exception.  Good food, excellent cabaret by the in-house entertainment team and great company contributed to a funfilled memorable evening.

A B I G “Thank You” to everyone who supported this event – hopefully we raised a good sum of money for my charities as well as enjoying ourselves.

Merry Christmas !

During this time, we’ve visited approx 35 nursing and rest homes for the elderly within our borough to personally deliver Christmas cards and napkins for all the staff and residents.

We thank you for your time and wish everyone a very

  “Merry Christmas !”

The Hayling Island branch of the Royal Air Forces Association met today for a Christmas celebration lunch.

I enjoyed the carvery and the company at The Barley Mow. Thank you.

I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Peaceful New Year and look forward to seeing some of you again soon at my Charity Ball that is only a couple of days away ….

Most clients are in a temporary crisis situation eg emergency re-housing due to family breakdown, benefits suspension, redundancy, release from prison, homeless.  Everyone can identify with the aims and vision of Beacon Food Bank as it tries to give each client dignity and encouragement, whatever their circumstances or background, and to provide help to anyone in need without discrimination.  The generous food hampers help to ease a stressful situation and are often met with tears of gratitude from the recipient.

Beacon Food Bank receives referrals from many organisations eg HBC, Havant Women’s Aid, Guinness Care & Support, MIND, Probation Service, Children’s services, Social workers, Doctors and Community Nurses, local churches and other charitable groups.

Today was a special day for packing the Christmas food hampers entitled the “Gift of Christmas.”  These hampers were being packed all morning for deliveries to commence at midday. It’s envisaged that 40 Christmas hampers will be made available to families and individuals of varying age; Hazel contributed to the hamper packing.

Most food is supplied by weekly donations from Portsdown Community Church members, from members of the public who bring non-perishable food donations to the collection point at J Source bookshop (located on 1^st floor of Havant Meridian Centre) and also from businesses and offices who take a collection box for donated food (this can be collected when the box is full).

If you would like to make food donations to this worthy community cause, please take your non-perishable food items to J Source bookshop (located on 1^st floor of Havant Meridian Centre) or contact the Church office on tel 023 9247 0167. Details on Beacon Food Bank are available on www.portsdowncc.org.uk/beaconfoodbank.htm

Our sincere thanks are reiterated to the team who carry out this thoughtful, caring and generous help in our area.