School Council Conference

I was pleased to be asked to speak to the first conference of primary school councils at West Berkshire Council Chamber this afternoon. The conference was the brainchild of Peter Dove, a teacher at Speenhamland School, and he thinks it may be the first of its kind in the country.

Representatives from 17 West Berkshire Primary schools came, together with some teachers, to talk about what they have been doing, and network. I spoke to them about being a Town Councillor, and the things we had in common - mainly that we were all volunteers because we want to make a difference and improve our town/schools. It was a shame I couldn't stay for the whole afternoon, but I spoke to Peter afterwards, and he is keen to do it again, but for a whole day because they ran out of time!

Berkshire Maestros Kaleidoscope Concert

On Sunday evening I was a guest of the Berkshire Maestros again, - this time the concert was a showpiece for their instrumentalists, who had been working toward the performance all weekend.

There must have been several hundred youngsters involved, all secondary school age. We heard from the senior choir, the Clifton Wind Band, Newbury String Orchestra, 4+2+Friends and the concert band (pictured). Also performing were the Park House School Choir.

I recognised many faces in the audience - friends with children a similar age to mine. There were many proud parents there - justifiably so. Its a shame the hard work and dedication of these teenagers does not receive a wider audience - it would help to put the bad press teenagers often receive into context.

Living Paintings Trust concert at Douai Abbey

After doing my rota duty on Saturday morning at Town Council Surgery (very cold!) I had a treat in the evening with a concert by the Reading Phoenix Choir at Douai Abbey near Woolhampton. The Abbey is a curious mix of traditional and modern architecture, creating a dramatic and airy space, ideally suited to the sound of the Phoenix Choir.

They were excellent - a large choir but rehearsed to perfection - their eyes glued to the conductor at all times. The programme was a mix of traditional and modern choral pieces, with a few organ solos, and some readings by Prunella Scales. The concert was in aid of the Living Paintings Trust, a charity based in Kingsclere, but serving over 6,500 blind and partially sighted adults and children all over the country. The picture shows my mum standing next to the display of some of the charities pictures and story books. All the illustrations are reproduced in relief, enabling the blind to feel the pictures, whilst a voice on cassette describes the scene.

Newbury Races

Last Friday I was the guest of the Chairman of Newbury Racecourse at the Royal Box for lunch and an afternoon of racing. Sir David Sieff, the chairman, was a charming host, and Stuart and I enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch. We met several other members of the Board of the Racecourse, and they were all very welcoming and friendly.

Stuart and I had a go at betting - and won first and third place the first time - but lost out on our second go - our beginners luck didn't last long!

Launch of Sure Start

On Wednesday 21 March I went along to the Foundation class at Speenhamland School for the official launch of Sure Start. There are six childcare providers involved in the first Sure Start children's centre in Newbury, and the foundation class of Speenhamland School is one of them, though the actual base of the centre will be at Victoria Park Nursery School.

For the launch all six locations released helium balloons simultaneously, following a countdown by Kick FM at Victoria Park. The children were so excited they couldn't help jumping up and down!

Full Council

On Monday 19 March I chaired the last Full Council before the elections of May 3rd - in other words it was the last time the existing councillors will all be at the same meeting. I will chair the first meeting of the new council as Mayor, because it falls between the election and Mayor Making - I expect there will be many new faces in the Chamber.

Spring Charity Fundraisers Ball

On Saturday night Stuart and I went to the Spring Charity Fundraisers Ball at Newbury Racecourse. There were about 330 people there, and the charity raised over £9,000, which is a wonderful amount, to buy specialist equipment for disabled children in West Berkshire.

My friends and I enjoyed dancing to the tribute band Abba Vision, and Joyce won one of the raffle prizes, a box of wine. I was so relieved that someone bid for me in the auction (tea with the Mayor in the Parlour) - I would have hidden in the ladies for the rest of the night if they hadn't!

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Presentation

At the Kennet School on Friday night, over a hundred young people aged 14 to 25 were awarded their bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Awards in front of a packed audience.

Award winners came from all over West Berkshire, predominantly from schools such as Kennet, and Downe House, but also from youth groups such as the Adventure Dolphin Centre in Pangbourne. The awards were presented by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Lady Elizabeth Godsal. I hadn't anticipated the entertainment that was put on by six groups of students studying for their silver and gold awards. This ranged from a talented Downe House student performing a drum solo, to three lads from Hungerford doing a hilarious rendition of 'singing in the rain' (with very accomplished baton twirling!) and pupils from Padworth College performing traditional Chinese and Indian dances.

There weren't a great deal of winners from Newbury, (only three!) which reflects the fact that only one secondary in Newbury takes part. However, I did know one of them - Matthew Worth, a former Park House student, and ex-member of the Newbury Young Pupils Council. It was good to catch up with Matthew afterwards - he now lives in St Albans.

Judging of the Civic Award

In advance of the Civic Award prizegiving at the Annual Town Meeting on Monday 2 April, I spent several hours on Friday trying to choose between some excellent candidates. To help me make this decision were Town Councillor Gabrielle McGarvey, David Danielli from Vodafone and John Hampson of Newbury Weekly News. As John said, it is very humbling to read the nominations.

Launch of Thatcham Vision

On Tuesday evening I went along to the launch of the Thatcham Vision at the Thatcham Rugby Club. The Town Council funded two part time organisers to work with a voluntary steering group to create a Town Plan. Many of the villages in West Berkshire have prepared a village plan - basically a wish list of the residents following consultation. Thatcham has about 25,000 inhabitants, so it is no mean feat trying to ascertain the wishes of such a large number of people.

They had a response from about 10% of the households in the town, which is quite impressive, and have set up various working groups to concentrate on the many different aspects of the plan, from children and young people, senior citizens, the town centre, the environment to name but a few. The have about 100 action points that they now hope to persue. It is an enormous task, and I wish them well.

Charity Concert at Shaw Social Club

On Sunday evening I was a guest of a charity concert held at Shaw Social Club for Cancer Research. This was the second concert I have attended by 14 year old impressario Josh Smith. Once again Josh has worked tirelessly to cajole and rehearse a large cast of singers, musicians and dancers - almost all teenagers. This time he had the added help of the Trinity School Choir (pictured) and some adult instrumentalists.

This was a great opportunity for local youth to take centre stage and show their family and friends the result of their hard work in rehersal. I haven't met another teenager who can make things happen the way Josh does. I believe he raised £400 last time and about £800 this time. His mum told me she won't let him organise another concert for a year, as he must concentrate on his school work now!

Soroptomists Lunch

The Newbury Soroptomists invited me to their annual presidents lunch at the Regency Park Hotel in Thatcham - and asked me if I would talk to them about my year as Mayor.

I was a bit nervous about making my

first ever after-dinner speach, until I thought of using this blog as my inspiration! I simply went through it taking out pictures of a range of the type of engagements I have done, and put them on a powerpoint presentation. I always knew this blog would come in handy! I also circulated the scrapbook of press cuttings my mum has been keeping on my behalf.

I know some of the Soroptomists quite well now, as I have met them a number of times throughout my year. After the lunch they also presented a cheque for £2,000 for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, their charity for the year.

Charity Quiz Night

Saturday night was quiz night! I hosted a quiz at the Town Hall for my two charities, the Community Furniture Project and the Mayor's Benevolent Fund.

My friend Ian Osmond acted as quizmaster, ably assisted by his brother-in-law Colin. The chamber was packed with the maximum 13 teams - sadly we had to turn about 8 teams away because we were full. During the interval we had a fish and chip supper and a raffle. We also practised flying our paper aeroplanes (one of the rounds of the quiz was to make a plane and see whose could fly the furthest - I'm not really bragging, but all the years spent on origami paid off!). The Team from Borders bookshop won, and over £300 was raised.

Fair Trade Fair

My colleague Councillor Gabrielle McGarvey helped organise a second Fair Trade event at the Town Hall on Saturday. There were stall selling all manner of produce from around the world, and opportunities to try Fair Trade food and drink.

When I called in at lunch time they had a

good number of visitors. I couldn't resist buying some peruvian woollen animals for Christmas Tree decorations!

Mock Trial Competition

I spent Saturday morning at the Newbury magistrates' court watching the heats of the Mock Trials Competition. Pupils from four local secondary schools were taking part: Park House, Trinity, Kennet and Downs. All participants had to be aged 12 to 14, so could be from years 7,8 and 9.

This was my first time in a magistrates' court, - and the first time for many of the participants and their parents too I should imagine. The winners from this round go on to compete with winners from all over Berkshire at Reading, and the national finals are held in Nottingham in May. Each school provided lawyers, witnesses, ushers, clerks, and defendents, and took turns to prosecute and defend the same case. It was fascinating to watch the way the same evidence could appear so different each time - one defendant was found guilty, the other three innocent.

I had an additional reason to take an interest as my elder son Theo was on the Trinity team, taking the role of a magistrate. I am very impressed at the work the local magistrates put in to organise the competition and judge it on the day. The High Sherrif was also there for the day, and while the judges were deliberating he entertained all of us by describing his traditional role and costume. Downs School won the heat, and the runners up were Park House.

Berkshire Maestro's Junior Music Festival

Last night at the Anvil in Basingstoke I was the guest of the Berkshire Maestro's for their third Junior Festival for their West Berkshire members. There were 350 children from primary schools across West Berks performing in the choir, and some also performed dance, drama and poetry.

Additionally there were musical numbers from the Benham Woodwind Ensemble, Broken Bones trombonists, the Bradfield Recorder Ensemble and Welford and Wickham C E Primary School's African drumming sequence. Its a shame all primary schools can't have a set of african drums! I'm pictured with Naomi Hinton, the compere for the evening, and David Marcou, the president of the Maestro's at the drinks reception after the concert.

Launch of Newbury Spring Festival

Yesterday lunchtime was the launch of Newbury Spring Festival at the Corn Exchange Bar 1861. This year is the 29th since the festival began, and it is an increasingly popular and esteemed event, despite the recent proliferation of music festivals around the country.

We were treated to a recital by Robert Murray, the tenor, and Sally Pryce on harp. The harp was exquisite - a rare treat. The guest speaker was Sue MacGregor CBE, whose voice I still miss on the Today programme - she sounds exactly the same live.

Grenham WI and Tuesday Club

This afternoon I gave a talk at the Town Hall to a number of ladies from the Tuesday Club that meets at Greenham Parish Church, and the Greenham WI. I showed them some pictures from my year in office, and gave them an idea of the sort of official engagements a Mayor is asked to do.

They also had a good look at the chain and pendant, the maces, and the Mayor's Parlour. They were interested to hear about Carnarvon Place, as one of their members is due to move in soon, and had been at the opening today too.

Opening of Carnarvon Place

Today at 11.30am Carnarvon place was officially opened by Lord Carnarvon. This is the new Sovereign flagship apartment complex for over 55s, replacing a number of sheltered housing schemes in Newbury, such as Willow Close and St Donats Place.

The building of this complex was controversial, because it replaces the much loved old Newbury Hospital, and many disliked its size and appearance. However, as I suspected, it is much better on the inside! The photo shows the atrium - the three storey high, glass covered communal space at the centre of the complex, which definitely has a wow factor. Many of the future residents were there today, getting a preview of their new home, and most were pretty excited at the prospect. Most apartments have two bedrooms, and the rooms are fairly spacious, - the kitchens in particular are larger than those in most sheltered housing.

There are several beautifully appointed lounges, in addition to the atrium, and walkways and balconies. There are also fairly extensive grounds and plenty of car parking. I hope the residents will be happy there - it is handy for town, and should be a friendly place to live.

Presentation of the Howarth Clark Whitehill Shield

Yesterday afternoon I went along with Carol to the West Berkshire Indoor Bowls Club to see some of the final match in the Howarth Clark Whitehill Shield competition. Over 30 Outdoor bowls clubs from Berkshire and Hampshire compete in this 'out of season' indoor tournament. It was all the more interesting for me because the finalists were Newbury and Thatcham!

I was especially pleased to be able to present the award to the Newbury team, who won convincingly after three and a half hours of playing. Well done lads!

Enborne School 125th anniversary celebrations

On Friday afternoon I collected Louis from school then drove to Enborne C of E primary school to join in their 125th anniversary celebrations. As we arrived in the playground some of the pupils ran up and said 'hello Mayor!' - they remembered me from their visit to the Town Hall last summer. The children were all dressed as pupils would have been in 1882 when the school was built. They were all keen for me to take photos of them, and I took some great pictures, that I couldn't resist turning sepia - here is one of them.

Inside there were displays of photos from the school's past, and some log books and registers dating back from the second world war. I looked up the Junior Mayor Gemma Legg who attended the school six years ago - I'm pleased to see she had an excellent attendance record!

Fir Tree School Trout Hatchery

This has to count as one of my more unusual engagements! Fir Tree primary school have teamed up with the Kennet Valley Countryside Project, and with funding from Newbury Town Council they are the proud owners of a trout hatchery!

This state of the art fish tank does the opposite of most fish tanks, in that it keeps the water cool not warm. Trout eggs were placed in the tank near the end of January, and the children have been feeding these baby trout with miniscule pinches of fish food every day since. Today the fish were about an inch long, but already look like trout! They will be taken to the nearby river Lambourn when they are about three months old - around the time of the Easter holidays.

After feeding the fish, I was given a guided tour of the school by the headteacher.

WBEBP Work Experience Awards

The West Berkshire Education Business Partnership asked me to present the awards for the best work experience log books of 2006. The WBEBP co-ordinate over 1500 placements every year for year 10 students from all of West Berkshire's secondary schools.

Each school was asked to select the three best log books kept by these students, and these were then judged by a panel, and the winner and runner up were announced at the presentation evening last night at the Vodafone pavilion.

A number of the finalists spoke to the audience of parents and employers, using powerpoint to illustrate their work experience. As ever I was impressed with their confidence and composure, - especially a student of Mary Hare who gave a very amusing account of her week working at childrens nursery. There were also short talks from a couple of employers, including Keith Butcher - the popular caretaker of Speenhamland School - who I teased for wearing a suit, when he usually wears shorts in all weather!

Nightstop AGM

On Tuesday evening I was a guest at Nightstops's AGM. Sadly this charity was being wound up after only existing in Newbury for a little over four years. Karen Anderson, the charity's secretary and founder gave an amusing presentation based on 'This is your life', which neatly explained how she went about founding the Newbury branch of this national organisation, after identifying a need through her work with the Community Council for Berkshire.

Pictured from left are Melissa Needham a Nightstop co-ordinator, Tony Vickers a volunteer host, Ian MacDonald former trustee, Karen Anderson secretary and me.

The charity exists to provide accomodation for homeless young people for a night or two until more formal provision can be found. Volunteers are trained before being added to the list of potential hosts.

On a positive note, the reason for the charity closing was due to a lack of clients rather than funding or volunteers. Although there are fewer young homeless locally, there is an increase in young people with more complex needs, who require professional help rather than that of volunteers.

St Bart's Art Competition

On Tuesday afternoon I called in to Camp Hopsons to award the prize to the winning St Bart's student, following the competition among year seven pupils. Their pictures were exhibited at the entrance to Joseph's restaurant in Camp Hopson, and the public were asked to vote for their favourite.

The winner was Phoebe Dace, pictured with me and Jean Ince of Artifax picture framing shop in Bartholomew Street. Phoebe's still life of apples was very striking, and skillfully rendered in oil pastels, with an adventurous use of colour. Phoebe's prize was the framing of her picture courtesy of Artifax.

Thanks to the Newbury Weekly News for this photo.