10th Anniversary Reception

Last Friday was the 10th anniversary celebration of the Town Council. Joyce organised the event, and we invited past staff and councillors, and many people from organisations involved with the council over its first ten years, from undertakers and community organisations to past Civic Awards winners and neighbourhood wardens.

The chamber was packed with familiar faces, some I hadn't seen for a while. People came from far and wide, and all seemed to enjoy catching up on old times.

I presented Councillor Barbara Peel with a unique 'Deputy Mayor' medal, as she is the only deputy in the last ten years not to go on to be Mayor. I also presented Councillors Peel, Peter Greenhalgh, Julian Swift-Hook and Vera Barnet, and Civic Manager Joyce Lewis and mace bearer Rod Thomason with new 10 year service medals. Barbara presented mine. Together with Councillor Clive Hillman, we are the only councillors and staff who have been with the Town Council since it began.

I am pictured with Brian Sylvester, the Town Crier, cutting the celebration cake.