Newbury Fringe Festival 2006

Yesterday I attended the Fringe Festival. I visited the Art on the Park event first - this year there were artists the full length of the railings along Park Way. Some lovely pictures, jewellery and pottery. Fellow Councillor Gina Houghton introduced me to some of the stall holders and members of the Art on the Park committee.

I then went to see a group of saxophonists perform outside the library, followed by the Icknield Way (I think!) Morris Men. Just after this photo was taken, they performed a dance around me and kept swiping me with hankies - and for a finale they lifted me off the ground!

I also had a go at the children's mural in Victoria Park, and visited the stalls of the Bobtails lacemakers, the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, and the drumming workshop. Highlight for Stuart, and my attendant for the day Barry, was learning to play the penny whistle in the Desmoulin Gallery. We also called in at the Corn Exchange Balcony Bar where an excellent jazz band was in action to a packed audience, and the Kennet Centre where crowds were gathered to watch a variety of dance displays - we saw a bit of belly dancing and disco.

From lunch time to early evening there was music in the park by the bandstand - after officially opening the Fringe, this was kicked off with the ever-popular Time Spanners Samba Band. The organisers and participants must have been relieved that the day stayed dry - it was a great event, and enjoyed by many, well done!

Saturday Surgery

It has become the tradition in recent years for the newly elected Mayor to attend the first Saturday Surgery after Mayor Making, so that is what I did today!

Since the inception of Newbury Town Council in May 1997, Councillors have taken it in turns to hold a surgery on the Town Hall steps from 10am till 12 noon on Saturdays. It is an opportunity for townspeople to bring up issues and discuss them with Councillors - typically things like litter, potholes, overgrown bushes, but also planning applications and suggestions for improvements. Over the years a number of Town Council initiatives have arisen from surgery suggestions. One of the best being the suggestion for Art on the Park, (which is on tomorrow) which was picked up by Councillor Sue Farrant a number of years ago, and is now a successful stand alone event.

Today I was on the steps with fellow Victoria Ward Councillor Paul Walter, who has to be one of our keenest case workers - see his list of activity on www.walter.org.uk.

It was good to see a number of familiar faces this morning, - and some complete strangers who came up to congratulate me and shake my hand. An ex US serviceman from Indianapolis came by - he'd been stationed at Greenham in the early 1980s, and had attended church services in the Town Hall chamber, so Paul took him upstairs to have a look around.

Of course you can get a live view of the town hall on the webcam of www.newburytoday.co.uk now, so you can see who is on duty on Saturdays!

Yesterday evening I attended the West Berkshire Learner Achievement Awards at Newbury Rugby Club. I was honoured to present the awards for outstanding achievement, determination, inspiring others, returning to learning, information technology and older and group learners. I was in awe of the way some of the winners had overcome obstacles such as ill health and family commitments to attain their qualifications - it is lovely to celebrate success with such worthy winners!

I was particularly pleased to bump into a contingency from my charity, the Community Furniture Project, who had come along to support volunteer-turned-staff-member, Terry Stares, winner of the Voluntary and Community Sector Tutor award. Terry has devised his own unique teaching materials and is working wonders teaching basic skills to volunteers at the project.

This morning I went along to the Castle School open day and had a fascinating tour of the school from headteacher Kerry Gray. I'd not been before, and was impressed with the enthusiasm and caring attitude of the staff, and the superb behaviour of the children. It is a lovely site, and there are some beautiful gardens - I encouraged Kerry to enter Newbury in Bloom!

This afternoon I caught up with Joyce (the Civic Manager) to go through my diary and appointments, and also met with Angela Turton who will be directing my charity concert in October. Then I went out in the sunshine(!) to the market place and presented Cullen Beckwith a certificate to mark 35 years of service to Newbury Market, as he retired today. Steve Brind presented him with a wonderful compact fishing rod, a present from all the market traders, I think they will all miss him.

Vodafone Art Exhibition

Last night I went to my first official engagement with my husband Stuart. It was an exhibition of Vodafone employees' art at the Vodafone pavilion. There were some stunning paintings on show, and proceeds went to the charity YouthNet which runs a popular website giving information to young people.

Will Carling gave a brief but funny speach, and the canapes were plentiful - but I was very good (having been warned by Val to be careful as its so easy to put weight on as the Mayor!). I met a magistrate there who had been at Val's last official engagement on Saturday - the regional final of the mock trials in Reading - so he'd met two Mayors of Newbury in three days.

Mayor Making

Today was the day - fortunately I slept well after the exertions of last night's Eurovision Song Contest party!

I drove to the Town Hall at 9am, in the drizzle. I was tuned to Kick fm and heard myself in the bulletin saying how nervous I was about making my speech - thanks for reminding me, me!

Val was in the Mayor's Parlour and gave me a few last minute tips. Carol, the Mayor's Attendant, helped me with the Mayor's tricorn hat - it was too big so we put some bubble wrap inside the brim. We joked about popping it to make it fit.

We formed up for the procession to the Corn Exchange - its times like these I'm grateful that Newbury has a very compact town centre - as we didn't get too wet! Once on the stage I looked about and started to spot so many people I knew in the audience. Fortunately everything went without a hitch - and before I knew it I was in the wings being 'robed up' while Speenhamland School Choir entertained the audience; aptly, one of their songs was 'The sun will come out, tomorrow'.

I got through my speech - it was a relief to be there after the build up, and it went OK. In fact I thought everyone made a good speech. We processed out in the rain back to the Town Hall for refreshments before the church service. Andy Warren, my chaplain for the year did me proud at the church with a very funny, yet thought provoking address.

The best bit of the day though was back in the church hall for refreshments - I greeted everyone as they came through the door - there seemed to be so many people! There were official guests, from the army and the police, our MP Richard Benyon, the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Mayors of Hungerford and Thatcham, and members of many of the town's organisations. Then there were loads of my relations - the first time since my wedding 14 years ago that both sides of the family had got together. I was thrilled that so many friends came - particularly the great turn out from my book club! Everyone tucked into the buffet laid on by the ladies of the British Legion.

Eventually everyone left, and my relations and old school friend from Kent came back to our house for tea and cake. Sadly I missed the Mayor Making in Thatcham, but Alex came along to mine, and I hope his went just as well. I'm sitting here now, and the sun has come out at last!

Two Days To Go!

I spent some time this morning at the Town Hall going through proceedures for the ceremony on Sunday with Joyce, the Civic Manager. Then we went over to St Nic's church and I tried out the pulpit. Fortunately does not appear as high as usual because it is surrounded by staging for the Spring Festival concerts. Sunday will be the first time I have given a bible reading in Church.

This afternoon I visited the offices of Kick FM and was interviewed by John Stratford. Fortunately it was recorded, not live! I hope I will be visiting them again over the course of the coming year to discuss some of the activities I will be involved in. All the staff there seem to have got to know the present Mayor Val Bull rather well - and enjoy her wicked sense of humour!

Five Days To Go!

Last night I was elected unanimously as the Mayor Elect at a Full Council meeting in the Town Hall. So, now it's official!

This morning I was filmed by newburytoday.co.uk for their lunchtime bulletin - the first time I've been interviewed and filmed simultaneously - not easy remembering where to look. We gathered around a pc to watch it at work in the afternoon, (the only one in the department with sound) and I was told I had gone bright pink!

I'd better crack on with this education project I've promised to write, or it wont be ready to take round the primary schools later this term.

Sunday 14 May 2006

This time next week I will be the Mayor of Newbury. I hope to use this blog to keep a diary of the year, to use as a record of events I attend, and the people I shall meet. If I get the hang of this I can also add some photos!

Today I'm going to have another bash at writing my speech for next Sunday - no pressure really, just got to read it out on stage to 400 or so people! I know I'm supposed to enjoy the day, but unlike the popular image of politicians I really don't like the sound of my own voice.

I'm doing this as a public blog, so more people can find out about what a Mayor actually does, and people I meet during the year can log on and read about their organisations, and what else is going on.