This evening we attended the TBCC AGM, the charity does such good work helping both children and adults who have been bereaved.
Cllr Ken Smith a trustee of the charity presented the retiring chairman with a lovely floral arrangement. We listened to an interesting presentation from two of the children’s volunteers about how they help the young people who have suffered the loss of a parent or grandparent.
Today we were very pleased to visit the monthly meeting of the group at the Havant URC Meeting Place in Havant.
I was asked to talk about my Mayoral year, which I was happy to do, with Andy also telling some of our favourite stories. We were able to chat with the members afterwards, what a lovely friendly group of people. We did enjoy the afternoon, thank you for inviting us.
This afternoon along with the other three Harbour Mayors and two Mayoresses, Andy and I attended a service at Portsmouth Cathedral. With many children from our Borough attending the School, it was good to attend their 134th birthday celebration.
The theme this year was William Shakespeare, and there were songs, readings of poetry and a question and answer session about his life and times. The children were a leading part of the service, which showed their many talents.
What a lovely afternoon. Such talented and enthusiastic young people, we really enjoy going to their shows. This one was at The Hayling College.
With lots of songs we knew and some that we didn’t, we were very impressed with the confidence which they all seemed to have.
Today in The Parlour we were delighted to welcome two members of our local St John’s Ambulance to tea in The Parlour. Along with their local president County Councillor Liz Fairhurst. We met Beverley Stotesbury last year when she received a long service award and we said we would like to hear more about the work that is done in our Borough.
Andy and I have agreed to attend some basic first aid training soon. After we had been told that the Mayor’s of both Fareham and Gosport had already received theirs.
After a full day of meetings in The Plaza, I chaired the Full Council meeting on the budget. By a resounding majority, the Council voted to keep the HBC portion of Council Tax frozen for the seventh year running. The evening was full of good debate and many questions from the Members.
I also joined a regular meeting between the HBC Cabinet and all but one of the Havant HCC Councillors. Many local issues were discussed, frankly and with purpose.
We had a lovely evening at the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth’s Valentine’s Ball. With some of our chain gang, we enjoyed a super meal, with a red rose and cuddly toy as well.
We had a great evening playing the Quiz in the Plaza at HBC. The hotly contested quiz was great fun and we enjoyed the naming the Valentine’s Teddy Competition as well.
All monies raised will be donated to good causes within the Havant Borough. We have a meeting with The Lions Clubs of Havant and Hayling next Monday, where we will decide which of the applications for funding we have had, we will be able to help this time. We have already donated to various charities who have applied.
This evening we were pleased to attend the 36th Annual Sports Awards, which I was delighted to present. From the young to the rather older, enthusiastic people enjoying a wide range of sport.
The Havant Borough Sports Association does a wonderful job throughout the Borough, supporting a variety of different sports.
We were pleased to attend the welcome party of the new chairman of the Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club. Brian Smith and his lovely wife Penny made us welcome and we enjoyed their company very much. The HIBC do great work in the Hayling Community with their Community Bus, well used by many organisations on the Island.
It was good to see old friends including those from The Lions Club of Hayling Island.
On a sunny day but with a biting cold wind, the annual Waterlooville Pancake Race took place today. Six local teams completed for The Pancake Day Shield. A relay race with the pancakes tossed twice at each stage, was laughingly and hotly contested by all the entries.
Well done the HBC Economic Development Team for organising the event and The Co-op Funeral Directors for being the winning team.
Thanks must also go to the Waterlooville Market Traders for providing the winners with a cheque for £200.
This evening we were very pleased to be in attendance at Park Community School, Leigh Park for the Hampshire Constabulary Volunteer Police Cadets Attestation Ceremony.
Nearly twenty young people from both the Havant Borough and Portsmouth, received their certificates and recited their oath. The Portsmouth City Band played very well during the evening’s proceedings.
It was especially lovely for us to see our close colleague PC Debbie Surridge there as her twin girls had completed their ten week training as cadets. We enjoyed having a photo taken with them.
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