HCC Civic Day June 20th

With other Mayors and Chairmen from across Hampshire we attended the Hampshire County Council Civic Day.

We met at 8.30 in the Great hall in Winchester and then proceeded to Peninsular Barracks to visit three of the Museums there.

Part of Peninsular Barracks

Our group first visited the museum of The Royal Green Jackets for a short visit which gave us the opportunity for a short overview of the history of the Regiment.

This first visit was followed by similar visits to, firstly, the Guardroom Museum. This is the museum of the Adjutant-Generals Corps. This Corps was formed in 1992 from the following individual Corps: Adjutant General’s Corps, Corps of Royal Military Police and Military Provost Staff Corps, Royal Army Pay Corps, Army Pay Corps, Army Pay Department, Royal Army Education Corps, Army Education Corps, Corps of Army Schoolmasters, Women’s Royal Army Corps, Auxiliary Territorial Service, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, Army Legal Corps, Army Legal Staff.

The third museum visited was that of  The King’s Royal Hussars. The original two Hussar Regiments were the 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales’s Own) and the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own). These became the Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales’s Own) which formed in 1969, and then became the King’s Royal Hussars in 1992.

We then went to visit the Hampshire record office for a very interesting tour which included seeing work to preserve and restore old documents and concluding with a film show of which a party in Langstone High Street in 1969 formed part.

Steam Lorry by Taskers of Andover

In need of TLC!

After lunch we went to the Hampshire Museums Service HQ and the Hampshire Wardrobe at Chilcomb for a very interesting and diverse visit. Amongst the items there were many vehicles in various states of disrepair, a beautifully restored steam lorry, archeology exhibits dating back to the Stone Age, lots of draws of insects and moths, and a vast amount of period costumes which are available for hire.

We finally left for home soon after 5 o’clock, feeling tired but very impressed by what we had seen.

Havant Goes Greener June 18th

With Stef Kling and Andrea Smith

This evening we attended the launch of the Havant Goes Greener week at The Spring in East Street.

After I welcomed everyone to the event the first part was a presentation given by the three guest speakers, Andrea Smith who is a writer and journalist, Stef Kling, a green economist and Andrew Pendleton, campaign director for friends of the Earth.

Following the presentation there was a question and answer session.

Andrew Pendleton, Andrea Smith & Stef Kling

After a short break we were entertained by a short comedy play from SOOP Theatre with the subject being the story of a plastic bottle from the time before oil up to it being recycled!

Many more events will be happening throughout the week, while the highlight of the week is the Havant Goes Greener Family Fair on the 23rd June in Havant Park. Crafts, foods, games, eco products, groups to join and support, live music all day and Angel Radio adds up to Havant’s greenest summer show.

For more details go to http://www.havantgoesgreener.org.uk

Portsmouth Cathedral June 17th

Today saw the Annual Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance for the D-Day and Normandy Fellowship held at the Portsmouth Cathedral in Old Portsmouth.

There were a number of veterans of the D-Day landings and the battles on the Normandy beaches, but, as the years go by, the numbers are diminishing all the time.

The Service was led by the Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Reverend David Brindley, with readings by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Frank Jonas and Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Dalton, the President of the D-Day & Normandy Fellowship.

Mayor of Winchester’s Charity Evening June 16th

This evening we went to a Charity event at the home of the Meon Valley MP, George Hollingbery.

The event was to raise funds for the Mayor of Winchester’s charities, which include The Magic Wand Appeal which is raising funds to improve facilities and the environment in the children’s unit at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, the Bishop’s Waltham Community Responders and the Felix Fund which is the Bomb Disposal charity which supports bomb disposal experts and their families.

One of the ladies at our table was an Army Captain in Bomb Disposal, and she will shortly be going to Afghanistan.

St. Thomas More’s School Summer Fayre June 16th

St. Thomas More’s

We have just got home from the Summer Fayre at St. Thomas More’s RC Primary School.

The headmaster, Colin Flanagan, met us when we arrived at the School and showed us around the various stalls, most of which had been moved inside due to the high winds.

Opening the Summer Fayre

Among the entertainment on offer was some excellent Irish dancing, performed by girls of different ages from about 4 years old. After this was a demonstration of Karate and then the school choir entertained the crowd with some lively singing.

Outside there was a bouncy castle, a fire engine, a hot dog & burger stall and there was a presentation by a troupe of cheerleaders.

The weather did not put people off, as there were far more visitors than was expected, and everyone seemed to be having a good time

Hampshire Scouting Service June 15th

This evening Elaine & I, together withe the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, and other Mayors from Hampshire,  attended Hampshire Scouting’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Parade & Service at Winchester Cathedral.

Spitfires Marching Band

The evening started with a parade of a great many members of the Scouting movement from across the whole of the Hampshire region.

Led by the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band, the parade featured the banners of all of the troops represented at the Service. Some of the Scouts were roped together with their climbing ropes while others paraded carrying their Kayaks.

Some of the Banners

During the Service short commentaries were read out about two Community Projects carried out by combined Guide & Scout troops. A Queen’s Scout read out a list of facts about Queen Elizabeth and a prayer was read in six parts by a member of the Scout Active Service, a member of the Scout Network, an Explorer Scout, a Scout, a Cub Scout and a Beaver.

Towards the end of the Service the Lord Lieutenant presented the very rare Silver Cross Award to an Explorer Scout in recognition of him saving the life of a friend who had fallen into an ice-covered canal, with little thought to his own safety.

The Cathedral was packed with members of the Scouting movement, and was further proof of the fact that most of the young people across the country do good works rather than bad.

25 Year Service Award June 15th

Congratulations, Sean!

Also today I was delighted to give a 25 year Service Award to Sean Blake.

Sean started with the Council as a street sweeper, and has worked his way through various roles to his present position of being responsible for grounds maintenance and street cleansing within the Borough.

As Sean has worked his way through all of the jobs undertaken by his team, his able to speak from experience when asked to get something done.

Solar Challenge June 15th

This morning I had the pleasure of being part of the judging panel for this year’s Havant heat of the Hampshire Solar Challenge.

Bidbury Juniors with their Water Carrier

The Havant teams were from Bidbury Junior School and front Lawn Junior School. The Bidbury entry was for a water carrier to be used in Kenya, while Front Lawn put their History lessons to good use by designing a Wooden Horse.

Front Lawn Juniors with their Wooden Horse

The idea is for children from Year 6 to design and build a working model powered by a solar panel. The Solar panel and gears are supplied and the children then have to design, build and demonstrate their model in competition with other schools.

Due to a clash of dates, both of the Havant teams which entered were from Year 5 and they each gave a presentation on their model followed by questions and a demonstration.

There was very little to choose between the teams but, in the end it was judged that the Bidbury team were the winners by a very small margin.

Both teams will now go forward to the Hampshire Finals to be held at Intech, Winchester, on July 4th.

 

Searson’s Funeral Service June 14th

Unveiling the Plaque

This evening Elaine & I were invited to formally open the Searson Family Funeral Service at their new premises in Park Parade, Leigh Park.

One of the aims of the evening was to dedicate the Chapel of Rest to the memory of Phyllis May Searson, the Grandmother of the co-proprietor, Andy Searson.

The Service of dedication was led by Father Steven Tancock, with further prayers from Father Tom Gufferty, Father Jonathon Jeffery and Reverend Sara Barron.

With Andy and Debi Searson

I was then given the honour of unveiling a plaque in memory of Phyllis Searson in the Chapel of Rest, and this was followed by some closing words from Andy Searson.

The guests included several people whose family funeral arrangements had been carried out by Searsons, and all were invited to stay for refreshments after the official business was concluded.

 

 

Scout Awards June 13th

This evening we were invited to attend the Awards and Presentation evening of the 3rd Hayling Scout Group.

This very successful troop has about 300 members ranging from Beavers through Cubs to Scouts and Explorer Scouts, with ages ranging from 6 to 18.

After an introduction and report from the Chairman, Dr. Philip Blosse, and a revue from the Group Scout Leader, Ian Hawke, came the award of Shields, Certificates and Badges to various members of the troop, and then there was a presentation from a Scout who had spent two weeks in Denmark and 3 who had attended the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden, before spending a few days in other European countries.

After seeing the Clarinet & Saxophone Choir on Monday, it was good to see another group of young people who prove that teenagers do not just stand around on street corners making trouble. Unfortunately, in many cases, the media appear to only publicise the bad minority, rather than the good majority.

Rotary Kids Out Day June 13th

Meeting at Glenwood School

This morning Elaine & I were up bright and early in order to meet members of the Rotary Club of Havant at Glenwood School in Emsworth.

Once the staff and pupils were ready the Rotarians and Year 7 boarded their coach to go to Paultons Park near Romsey.

A Dry Ride!

Kids Out day is an annual event when Rotary clubs from various parts of the South of England take children from Special Needs schools for a day out, with every child having an escort. This year the weather was dry and, when we arrived, there were many coaches, mini-buses and cars all full of excited children.

The children were greeted by clowns when they entered the Park and quickly found the rides that they wished to go on.

A Wet Ride!

The types of rides were many and various, some of them being dry and some wet, but all of them were well used, with long queues for many of them.

Lunch for the multitude!

After having a packed lunch, there was still time for the children, and some of the adults, to find more things to do before having to leave about 2 o’clock.

Everyone had a very enjoyable time, although, being a member of Waterlooville Rotary Club, I was told off for wearing a T-shirt with Havant Rotary on it!

Hart Plain Junior School June 12th

This afternoon we went to Hart Plain Junior School to hear the school choir sing.

The choir had performed at the Mayor Making ceremony in May but, as I was changing into the Mayoral robes, I was unable to hear them.

The Choir at Mayor Making

Arrangements were therefore made for a special school assembly so that not only Elaine & myself, but also the whole school, could see them perform.

We were very impressed with the excellence of the singing and the enthusiasm with which they performed and, at the end I was pleased to present them with a cheque for the school funds.

Horndean Technology College June 12th

Some of the Art

This morning, together with the Deputy Mayor & Mayoress, Paul & Jackie Buckley, we were given a tour around the very impressive facilities of the Horndean Technology College.

We saw various departments including Art, Science, Music and Sport and we were vary impressed by the enthusiasm which the pupils showed in their lessons.

The Library

There is a very modern library, and the resource for more practical subjects such as brick laying and woodworking.

All-in-all this is a very well run school and the pupils and staff should be very proud of what they have achieved

Waterlooville Music Festival June 11th

What a treat!!

Clarinet & Saxophone Choir

This evening we went to St. George’s Church in Waterlooville for a two part concert.

The first part of the evening saw some excellent music from the Havant Clarinet & Saxophone Choir II. Played by youngsters from 11 to 17 years old, the music ranged from The Peter Gunn theme, through some boogie – very reminiscent of Glenn Miller- to a Mozart Clarinet duet.

The talent shown by these young musicians has to be heard to be believed and the audience were extremely impressed.

The second part of the evening consisted of a performance by the Hampshire Guitar Orchestra.

Havant Guitar Orchestra

The fifteen performers played a variety of types of acoustic guitars, and their repertoire moved from 42nd Street through A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square to Vianne Sets Up Shop from the film Chocolat with several other pieces in between. We were also treated to a goodly amount of humour from their leader, Derek Hasted.

Welsh Hymn Singing Festival (Cymanfa Ganu) June 10th

This year’s festival of Hymn singing in Welsh and English was conducted by the excellent Catrin Hughes.

The Festival, as always, took place in the United Reformed Church in Romsey. The first festival was held in Romsey in 1969 to celebrate the investiture of the Prince of Wales. It proved so popular that it has continued annually ever since then. Unfortunately though, next year will see the last Festival taking place.

As is customary, after the service, tea and Welsh cakes were served in the Crosfield Hall.