Emsworth Horticultural Society Show on 25th August

Following the traditional August bank holiday weather this turned out to be the wettest day for this show since 1986 – just my luck!

The organisers had done a magnificent job in setting it all up in the most deplorable weather and many were soaking wet already by the time I arrived. We were welcomed warmly and started to walk around the show but the weather defeated us after a short while as it had become increasingly more difficult to see what was there through the pouring rain. We went into the marquee to walk round the exhibits – a phenomenal number of members both adults and children had entered the various wide ranging classes. It was a treat to see the floral blooms and the massive vegetables on show, The photography was varied and marvellous to look at. Most of all, it was great to see the number of children and young people who had entered and the pride they showed when they, or a member of their family, had won a prize.

Unfortunately, after lunch, we left somewhat drenched along with everybody else there. This was much earlier than I would have chosen to leave, I would have enjoyed going round all the stalls and seeing what was there. Congratulations to all the organisers and volunteers who worked so hard to give everybody a wonderful experience. I can only hope that next year the weather will be what the show deserves – I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

HIADS Production of Spider’s Web on the 21st August

Yet again another very well produced and directed play staged by the Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society. The leading lady performed fantastically – her facial expressions on stage captured the moment so well and along with all the other excellent acting it gave the audience a wonderful experience.

Suffering acutely from arachnophobia, I had great difficulty getting into the auditorium as there were several pictures/artwork along the corridor depicting these “detestable creatures”! By the end of the evening everyone around me was aware of how terrified I am of them and were very careful not to let me come face to face with one. I feel thoroughly ashamed but really can’t do anything about it – it certainly did not detract from the play itself!

Emsworth and District Flower Society – Open Meeting on 20 August 2014

My second visit to the Emsworth and District Flower Society for an open meetings and it certainly did not disappoint. My escort and I were given a very warm welcome and as before there was a demonstration by an extremely talented and amusing professional floral arranger.

We sat enthralled and entranced at what can be done with a relatively few blooms, leaves and wires to create stunning eye catching displays. A few very lucky people won raffle prizes and took home these displays.

A thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining and instructive evening – thank you all!

Unveiling of War Memorial on the 8th August at Eagle Avenue

On the 8th August I was invited to attend the unveiling of a War Memorial built by housing residents located on the Corner of Grebe and Eagle Avenue at Wecock Farm.

The unveiling was well attended by the local community and it was a very poignant occasion.

Jubilee Park Summer Fair – Sunday 17 August

David Crichton welcomed me very warmly to the Jubilee Park summer fair on sunday 17 August where there was bouncy play equipment being enjoyed by all the children, there was a big raffle with lots of prizes donated by many kind organisations and a number and variety of stalls. One of the main attractions was a display by a number of Birds of Prey, all of which are quite magnificent.

I was pleased to meet up with the RKdia staff who were manning one of the hamburger/hotdog stalls. This is an organisation which I have used for catering purposes at several civic events – they are not for profit organisation that offers real hands on work experience in catering skills led by an experienced and talented chef. The company was solely created for giving real work experience in catering to young unemployed people.

Sadly I had to miss being the first passenger on the horse and carriage as it started to pour down with rain just as they arrived! This change in the weather was a prelude to a large number of visitors feeling the need to leave!

I too was extremely cold and slightly damp and decided to call it a day!

Honorary Alderman Ceremony – 15th August

In the evening, on the 15th August, I had the privilege of bestowing the honour Honorary Alderman on to two previous Councillors namely, David Gillett a former Leader of the Council and Jenny Wride a former Bedhampton ward Councillor for Havant Borough (and County Councillor). This is an honour that is awarded by Councillors to acknowledge eminent service given to the Council during their period of office.

Funeral Service for Ruth Hyson – Friday 15th August

Sadly today was the funeral service of a previous Mayor of the Borough of Havant, Ruth Hyson, who served as Mayor in 1995 -1996. This was held at the new crematorium in Havant, The Oaks. Several Councillors, Previous Mayors and Honorary Aldermen attended to pay their respects. My heartfelt sympathy goes to Les Hyson and Les and Colin their two sons.

Three Churches Summer Fete at Hayling Park

I followed in the footsteps of previous Mayor’s of Havant and opened the 17th Three Churches Summer Fete held in Hayling Park.

This is a fete held annually to support St Mary’s, St Peter’s and St Andrew’s churches on Hayling. Many visitors to Hayling book their holidays yearly to coincide with this function. Fortunately I brought the sunshine when I arrived and most of the time it remained dry!

The organisation was phenomenal! The number and variety of stalls beat anything else I have seen so far this year but I managed to go round and meet and talk (I think), to all of them by which time my feet were killing me!

Hopefully the money raised met expectations!

Havant Rotary Club Meeting at The Bear Hotel, Havant on the evening of the 11 August

I was invited to attend and speak at the Havant Rotary Club’s regular meeting. This gave me an opportunity to enlarge on my 3 charities which are Raynauds and Scleroderma, Footprints – Down Syndrome Support and The Rowans Hospice. I also gave them a flavour of a variety of engagements that I have attended so far since the end of May.

They welcomed me very warmly and they very kindly gave me the floor instead of telling me all the good work that they do within the community.

Opening of Summer houses at Emsworth House on the 11th August

Weather wise the day was most unpromising, but turned out okay in the end.

The Chairman of Hampshire County Council joined me in opening two very beautiful summer houses at Emsworth House Care Home. Councillor Colin Davidovitz opened the tea room and I opened ‘The Emsworth Arms’, which is a pub.

The summer houses are designed particularly for the dementia unit so that residents can feel that they are having at trip out but within the safe environment of their home. Both of these ‘houses’ have a very welcoming feel and I enjoyed both a cup of tea in the tea room and a small drink of beer in the pub. How nice it was to meet and talk with the residents and staff.

Portsmouth Sheltered Housing Garden Competition Prizegiving at St Clare’s Court, Warren Park – Wednesday 6th August

What a lovely afternoon. I gave certificates to the winners in all the classes and went out and viewed the very special winning garden at St Clare’s Court. This is a very tranquil and beautiful garden created by one man who is a resident at St Clare’s. All the residents are very proud of this garden and use it a lot for social activities. Going round this garden I could imagine many hours of enjoyment out there. In fact the residents hold parties barbecues etc, out there and my guest of the day and I were invited back to share one with them!

After viewing the gardens I went and chatted to all the residents present and an afternoon tea.

Reception in the Great Hall, Winchester to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the First World War

This evening the First World War was brought into the Great Hall at Winchester. A group singing songs from the First World War and drama depicting scenes of people leaving to go to war were acted transporting us back in time. There were also artefacts from the First World War on show.

Unveiling of a Memorial to ‘The Pompey Pals’ – Monday 4th August

At noon on the 4th August, Dame Mary Fagan DCVO JP, unveiled a memorial to ‘The Pompey Pals’ outside the grounds of Portsmouth Football Club at Fratton Park. ‘The Pompey Pals’ was a nickname given to the lads of the Hampshire Regiment. At last all the people from Portsmouth who died as servicemen in the First and Second World War are now recorded.

Civic Vigil at St Faith’s Church, Havant – Sunday 3rd August 2014

The vigil started with a brief history of how/why the war started by Dr Michael Laird a former lecturer in international history at the University of Portsmouth. After which, a hundred candles were lit by those of us taking part in the service. Civic Leaders and Clergy delivered many appropriate readings. After each reading, two candles were extinguished by the readers until eventually the whole church was plunged into darkness. As part of the service a reading was given by the Chairman of Havant Royal British Legion, who read an extract from a poem by the late Havant veteran Edward Till.

As a symbol of hope, after a minutes silence, one new candle was ignited before we departed.

Service of Remembrance at St Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Cathedral, Old Portsmouth

To mark the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War a solemn Service of Remembrance was held at St Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Cathedral in Old Portsmouth.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and Members of the City Council were joined by Mayors from across the County to take part in this service of Remembrance. At the end of the service poppy seeds were scattered by the Lord Mayor in the garden, under a tree at the Cathedral.