2nd July – Mayor’s Coffee Morning

I hosted my first Coffee Morning as Mayor at the Public Service Plaza on 2nd July it was an opportunity to network and socialise with residents, Councillors and friends who attended and at the same time raised funds for my chosen charities. My next Coffee Morning will be held on 22nd October at the Sacred Heart Church, Waterlooville 10.30 am – 12 noon. All Welcome. I will be hosting an Afternoon Tea with a guest speaker at the Public Service Plaza on Wednesday 3rd September between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm. This should be a fun event as Councillor Mike Cheshire MBE will be the speaker – I believe on the topic of Nelson! Both dates to remember – please book them in your diaries now.

1st July – Visit to Langstone Technology Park for Havant Sixth Form Art Exhibition

What fantastic abilities these students have. Unfortunately due to the Brownies visit over running slightly we were a little late in arriving but we still saw the whole exhibition. The winner of the overall prize had made a magnificent sculpture of a horse. Well done to all exhibitors!

1st and 2nd July – 100 Years of the Brownies and Visits by 2nd Denvilles and 3rd West Leigh Brownies

It was my pleasure to host visits to the Parlour and Council Chamber by two groups of Brownies as part of their 100 year celebrations.

We started the visit with a talk and presentation by our Environmental Health team who showed how bad it is to wash chicken before cooking! The team made it very interesting and fun for the children. This was followed by an in depth insight into the Office of the Mayor, and the history of the robes given by Tom McInally, the Mayor’s Attendant. Tom explained all about the robes and how the pockets were used to collect taxes and the role of the Mace in protecting the Mayor in days gone by. Today, of course this is just used at ceremonial occasions.

We finished with soft drinks and cakes and giving the children copies of the Coat of Arms.

The Brownies have been working on their Brownie Birthday Challenge Badge since January – and have chosen many of the challenges they wanted to complete, such as climbing/a sleepover at Southbourne Village Hall/a trip on the Watercress Line/swimming and lots of crafts and games taking the Brownies from 1914 to 2014. I was also able to present them with these well earned badges.

We ended the evening by presenting each Brownie with a Mayor Bear Badge!

June 30th 2014 – Golden Jubilee Mass for St Peter’s Catholic Primary School

On the 30 June we were welcomed warmly to the lovely Cathedral and it was wonderful to see so many parents and pupils attending this special service celebrating the Golden Jubilee of St Peter’s Catholic Primary School.

Opening of the new Gym at Horizon Leisure Centre – 30th June 2014

I was delighted to be able to attend the opening of the new Gym at Havant Leisure Centre. This offers some very impressive facilities and state of the art equipment and is an excellent facility to encourage the local community to take up and participate in wholesome exercise and promote a healthy lifestyle.

It was a shame that we were unable to stay and try out any of the equipment but we had a further diary commitment to attend a Golden Jubilee Mass at 6.30 pm!

It was a wonderful surprise to be presented with the cheque from Horizon for £1,000 for my charity appeal fund. This money had been collected over time from members, staff and other users of the Leisure Centre.

Grateful thanks for this magnificent boast to my appeal fund, raising funds for Raynaud’s and Scleroderma, Footprints and the Rowans Hospice.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

30th June Unveiling of Tree Marker at Bidbury Mead to mark the Time Capsule buried during the Golden Jubilee Year

On the 30th June, I was invited to attend Bidbury Mead to unveil a tree marker to mark a Time Capsule buried during the Golden Jubilee Year.

After 18 months, the Oak tree is doing well and I was pleased to be able to unveil the plaque marking the spot where the Time Capsule is buried. A very elegant stone marker provided by Edwards Funeral Directors.

It was a very cold summer’s day and therefore it was marvellous to be able to go into the clubhouse afterwards to enjoy a hot drink with those that had attended.

Sunday 29th June – Civic Sunday at St Wilfrid’s Church, Cowplain

My Civic Sunday Service was held at St Wilfrid’s Church on Sunday 29th June. It was lovely to have the support of the local congregation and my Mayor’s Cadets as well as other cadets from T S Active MTC who formed a Guard of Honour on my arrival and piped me into the church!

The Reverend Canon Dr Paul Moore officiated as my Chaplain, sadly this will be his last official duty as my Chaplain as he is moving on to pastures new shortly. After the service we were able to join the congregation for refreshments and I enjoyed the opportunity of meeting and talking to the congregation and church officials. We were made very welcome.

Saturday 28 June – Strawberry Fayre at Fairfield Infant School

What a lovely event this was, the weather held and judging the fancy dress was an extremely difficult task as the standard of entries was very high with entries from all ages.

Brenda France entertained us with a delicious strawberry tea afterwards where we were able to see some of the children’s work on display in the dining room. Took me back to my teaching days!