Legal Service April 29th

This morning, together with the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and the Mayors of Fareham and Gosport, Elaine and I went to the Anglican Cathedral in Old Portsmouth for the annual Portsmouth Legal Service.

Many members of the legal profession were in attendance together with the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, and the High Sheriffs of both Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The service was led by the Dean, the Very Reverend David Brindley, with the first lesson, taken from the book of Amos, being read by His Honour Judge Hetherington who is the Resident Judge for Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight and the Honorary Recorder of the City of Portsmouth. The second lesson, taken from Luke, was read by the High Sheriff of Hampshire, Rupert Younger.

After the service there were refreshments and the chance to mingle and talk.

A lunch at the restaurant of Portsmouth University, Chimes, followed.

Shep April 28th

In company with other Hampshire Mayors we went to the Gosport masonic hall for an evening’s entertainment on behalf of the Mayor of Gosport’s Charity Appeal.

The entertainer was the former Royal Navy sailor, Shep Woolley who, having forgotten some of his equipment, had to go back to Southsea before he could begin!

He still managed to start only about 1 minute late!

Shep Woolley with the Mayor of Gosport, Cllr. Richard Dixon.

Shep’s act comprised a mixture of Folk music and comedy, and he had the audience applauding and laughing all the way through both halves of his performance.

The evening included a basket meal of Chicken and Chips, and there was the usual raffle.

The funds raised will go to Gosport youth, Hampshire Autistic Society and the Beneficial Foundation.

Wag Walk April 28th

This morning Elaine and I were, once again, on Hayling Island.

This time we were there to participate in the annual Wag Walk to raise funds for the Ark at Stubbington.

There were a lot of people there with their dogs and, although it was quite chilly, it was not as cold as last week.

The walk was officially started by Kerry Swain from Meridian TV, who had come from Southampton with her own dog. Starting from the Coastguard station, the walk went to the inn on the beach, before retracing the route back to the start.

As we had to get ready for a lunchtime get together, we only walked to the turning point, before we stopped for a warming coffee at the cafe and then came home.

Meeting one of the dogs.

Ready to go.

With Kerry Swain.

Youth Challenge April 27th

This year’s Youth Challenge Talent Show, held at Park Community School in Leigh Park, was organised by Activity Challenge Enterprise and I was asked, along with Lynne Dick, from Making Space, and Juliane Collins, from the World of Music Education, Ltd., to be one of the judges

This event showcased the finalist from schools across Leigh Park, and was in primary and secondary age groups.

The very talented young people who showed off their skills came from several local schools, with a magician and a dancer from St. Thomas More’s, a singer and a dancer from Barncroft Primary and two singers from Front Lawn Primary Academy in the Primary Class, and, in the Secondary Class, a dancer, a singer and a dance duet all came from Park Community School.

The Primary Class was won by dancer Tilly May Padley, from St. Thomas More’s, while the Secondary Class was also won by a dancer, Chloe Stedman.

A special prize for originality was awarded by the Mayoress to Alfie Avey from Front Lawn Primary Academy.

Front Lawn April 26th

After visiting Abbeyfield House we went back to the Mayor’s parlour to put on the Mayoral Robes before going to Front Lawn Primary Academy in Leigh Park.

The school has recently become the first Primary Academy to be run by The Kemnal Academies Trust in Hampshire, and before this, was made up of an Infant School and a separate Junior School. It became an Academy on April 1st., so this is a very new venture.

We were greeted by Michelle Fenniche who is the TKAT Director of Primaries, and is taking charge until the appointment of a permanent Headteacher

With some of the pupils.

With the Head and pupils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next we were able to meet some of the year group representatives and look around the School library, before moving into the hall on the Infant School site and speaking to the all of the pupils and staff.

All of the children seemed very happy, and were very eager to ask questions about the Mayor. They have also been working to design a new logo for the Academy.

Abbeyfield House April 26th

The first engagement today was at an Open Day held at Abbeyfield House in Emsworth Road, Havant.

When we arrived we were met by the Manager, Vanessa Stevens, who explained how the house operates, and introduced us to some of the residents and visitors.

The residents have their own rooms and can either be self-supporting, or can have supported living.

We were able to spend some time talking to the residents, and hearing some very interesting stories of Army service during the Second World War and also tales of wartime evacuation from London.

Sandwiches and home-made cakes were there to be enjoyed by all.

With the Manager and one of the residents.

Elaine and a visitor.

Rock Challenge April 25th

The final night of the senior section of the Be Your Best Portsmouth Rock Challenge saw local school, Purbrook Park, competing with nine other schools from across the South of England.

Four of the schools were from Portsmouth, with one each from Oxfordshire, Essex, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight. There were also two other schools who had already made it through to the Premier final.

The performances from all of the schools showed a very high standard of achievement, and I found it very hard to pick the one that I thought was the best. Thank goodness I was not one of the three judges!

One of the notable performances was from Mary Rose Special Needs School in Portsmouth. They received a standing ovation for the excellent work.

At the end of the evening I was one of several people invited on stage to present awards. I gave a certificate for best make-up design to Purbrook Park School and the 2nd place overall to Portsmouth College. The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth then presented the 1st place plaque to our own Purbrook Park School, to the obvious shock and delight of their performers.

This marked the end of four days of senior performances, with local schools doing exceptionally well. Park Community School won on Monday, and then on Wednesday, working with Rachel Madocks Special Needs School, they came second.

Over the four nights of competition these three schools, plus South Downs College who were already in the Premier final, were the only schools from the Borough of Havant. What a lot of talented young people we have here. We should be very proud of them.

The Finals will be held at Portsmouth Guildhall on June 19th and 20th.

Veteran’s Reception April 23rd

Cross of St. George flying at the Plaza.

Following on from today’s parade in  Emsworth, this evening saw a gathering of Veterans and their families in the Atrium of the Public Service Plaza for a reception which I hosted, along with Elaine.

There were around 60 veterans in attendance, some of whom had taken part in this morning’s parade.

Invited as guest of honour was Commander Eddie Grenfell but, due to an unfortunate fall, he was unable to attend. However, we were very fortunate to number among the guests, 100 year old Leon Filary, who had joined the RAF after his native Poland was invaded. His six medals, four British and two Polish, had been presented to him on his recent birthday!

To represent the modern Army, some of the troops from Thorney Island had come along, and they spent the evening talking to sevicemen of older conflicts.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and it was an honour to host such a gathering.

100 year old Leon Filary with his son and daughter-in-law.

Some of the guests.

St. George’s Day Parade April 23rd.

In glorious weather today’s annual St. George’s Day Parade in Emsworth was a grand event. Before the actual start of the Parade, we were able to walk along the crowd-line and talk to many of those who had come along to pay their respects to the troops.

100 men and women from 12 and 47 Regiments, Royal Artillery, came from Baker Barracks on Thorney Island and marched along the High Street behind the extremely smart band of the Royal Logistics Corps.

During the march, Elaine and I, together with the Commanding Officer of 47 Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer, were on the saluting dais. After a reading commemorating the Korean War, we were asked to present the Emsworth Rose to all of the Korean War Veterans who were parading behind their banners.

After the presentations were completed we went back onto the dais where I gave a short speech, followed by prayers by the Vicar of St. James Church, Reverend Simon Sayers.

I then read out a citation which was to be presented to each Regiment, before the band played the National Anthem, after which the Parade was dismissed.

We were invited to join the veterans at the Warrant Officers and sergeant’s Mess on Thorney Island where, again, we were able to talk to many of those attending.

Talking with some of the crowd.

Presenting the Emsworth Rose.

With some of the Veterans.

Bowls April 22nd

This afternoon, together with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth and the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, we were invited by the Mayor and Mayoress of Gosport to a Green Bowls challenge match at the Lee-on-the-Solent Bowls Club.

The Ladies.

The Men.

The ladies and the men formed up in seperate groups, although, as the Mayoress of Fareham was unable to join us, the ladies had a substitute; the Fareham driver.

The event began with some coaching, and then we played several ends of various different bowling disciplines.

The aggregate scores of the two groups were totaled and then the winners were announced.

Fareham came out on top, followed by Portsmouth, with Havant third and Gosport coming last.

A good afternoon and thanks must go to the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Richard Dixon, for the invitation, and the Bowls Club for their patience and encouragement.

Hayling For St. George April 21st.

Today we spent several hours at the Hayling Plaza for the excellent Hayling For St. George event.

Out of the Shadows.

Starting at noon, there was something for everyone to see and enjoy starting with the group ‘Out of the Shadows’ playing a lot of foot-tapping music from the 50’s and 60’s including Cliff Richard, The Shadows, The Beatles and much more.

2nd 2 Nun.

The next slot was taken by local theatrical group S.O.O.P. with a play telling the true (?) story of St. George. This was followed by some more up-to-date music and street dancing by the young people of 2nd 2 Nun.

Out of the Shadows then came back for a second and final set before being followed by The Martlett Morris Men, Punch & Judy plus a magic show for the younger audience, and then the HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band.

Hayling Musical Society then entertained the crowds with some Wartime and Patriotic Songs, and the HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band closed the day with a Sunset Ceremony, at which I took the salute.

A little further down the beach, while this was all going on, was a notable gathering of Classic Cars and Military Vehicles.

This was a well received afternoon’s entertainment, with dry, although chilly and windy, weather, unlike last year’s high winds and rain.

The Martlett Morris Men.

HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band.

Flowers for the organiser.

Langstone Sailing Club April 20th

This evening we attended the annual Commodore’s reception at the Langstone Sailing Club.

We were welcomed by the new Commodore, Nathan Rowsell, and by other members of the club committee.

There were a good number of people in attendance, and we were able to renew friendships with many people who we had met over the last few months.

The ladies of the sailing club had prepared an excellent buffet, and the evening was most enjoyable, especially as this was the first day of really good weather for some time, and the view across both Langstone and Chichester harbours was sunny and clear.

Havant Junior Squash Championship April 20th

This afternoon we were at the Havant Rugby Clubhouse for the 2013 Havant Junior Squash Championships.

We were met by the chief Coach, Malcolm Peters and were introduced to Mike Burn, who was one of the youngest Squash coaches in the world when he first qualified.

We watched some of the young players in their games, before being able to watch the final which, although resulting in a 3 set to nil victory, was always hard-fought and very fast and exciting.

After the final was finished we were asked to present medals and trophies to many of the young competitors.

A lot of parents were there to watch their children playing and enjoying themselves.

With players and coaches.

With the overall winner.

Walking With Friends April 19th

This morning Elaine and I were at Hayling’s Eaststoke Corner, having been asked to attend, and take part in, a Charity Walk on behalf of the Hayling Island branch of  Parkinson’s UK as this week is Parkinson’s Awareness Week.

Ready to go.

A large number of people were ready for the start at about 10.15 and the walk, which was from Eaststoke Corner to Beachlands Fun Fair, got under way in cloudy and breezy conditions.

The walkers, many of whom were suffering from Parkinson’s, finished the walk at the Fun Fair, but Elaine and I decided to walk back. However, in the manner to which we have become accustomed this year, the heavens opened and it started to rain quite hard. Luckily we were offered a lift which we gratefully accepted, although by the time we were back at the start the rain had stopped!

7 Platoon April 18th

Our visit to 7 Platoon, B Company, of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force at Purbrook Park School coincided with an inspection by the Force Commandant, Colonel Rodney Lambert.

We were greeted by the Army Cadet chosen for the next Mayoral year, Oliver Drain, and 2nd Lt. Hicks, the Detachment Commander.

Ration Pack.

Preparing to Fall Out.

We were able to see some marching drill, and then some cadets going on their first camp were given an explanation of what would be in their ration packs, and a demonstration of how to cook the food in safety.

We spoke at length to Colonel Lambert regarding the future of the unit, as they have been told that they will have to leave their base of many years in the very near future. Currently they have not found anywhere suitable for relocation.

The Platoon currently has around 25 members, both male and female, and it would be a great pity if these dedicated young people found their Platoon being disbanded.