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Now that all the Christmas celebrations
are out of the way, I feel as if I am on the home run in my Mayorial year,
even though I still have until May to go. Most of the major formal events
are over (apart from the Mayor’s Ball), although I know that Peter Hill
(Deputy Mayor) has already started fixing dates for his year of office.
There are still the many meetings to attend, including the Annual Meeting,
but the bulk of the official engagements are behind me.
On Saturday 3 January I
helped with the taking down of the Christmas lights. This is the first
year I have done this, and I was very grateful that the weather that day
was bright and dry, if a little cold! Half way through the morning, a very
kind lady brought hot rolls full of sausage for all of us, which went down
a treat. We managed to get the bulk of the dismantling done, leaving the
more difficult ones for the Council workmen with their “cherry picker”
lorry. I would like to thank all those who turned up to help on that day,
and all those who organised us into teams so efficiently. It was sad to
see the lights come down, but I am sure that next year’s production will
be equally wonderful – i.e. full of wonder! Thanks to everyone who makes
Wivenhoe the place to visit to see Christmas Lights. On 8th January we had
our first Planning Meeting of the new year, and were pleased to welcome a
group of local residents from the Cross area of the Town, who wanted to
speak to us about proposals to convert the Water Tower into housing. Their
concerns were felt to be very real, as the impact of the proposals on
their private lives could be considerable. We were happy to endorse their
concerns at our meeting, and to advise them on what they should do to get
those fears heard. Wivenhoe Planning meetings are open to members of the
public, and are held every three weeks in the Council Chamber. Anyone
wishing to attend a meeting should contact the Town Clerk, who will be
able to tell them the date and time of the next meeting. On 12th January we held
our General Amenities and Landscaping Working Party meeting, where I
re-launched our appeal for sponsorship for the Landscaping Project. This
Project looks after the various planting schemes around the Town, and
tries to be self-funding. After an initial burst of enthusiasm a few years
ago, the amount of sponsorship has declined each year, making it very
difficult to maintain a high standard of planting. We plant twice a year,
and a donation of £25 per tub enables us to achieve a beautiful display,
not only in the tubs, but also in the various areas that we have care of
around the Town. Everyone who donates will receive a certificate, and will
have their name included in a list to be put in the Council notice-board.
Anyone who feels able to donate (however small an amount) towards this
project can contact the Town Clerk, who will give them details. Finally, with great
delight, I attended the matinee performance of the pantomime, Babes in the
Wood. I had a very entertaining afternoon watching not only the
performance, but also the children in the audience. We all shouted, and
clapped, and hissed, and clapped, and gasped (and clapped) at all the
right places (I hope), and took part in a real piece of Wivenhoe
tradition. Well done to all who took part - actors, backstage, lights,
costume and refreshments etc. I know that any production is a bit like an
iceberg – the bit you see is only a small part of the whole. I am now in the final
stages of planning for the Mayor’s Ball in March (I hope you have now
got your tickets!), looking forward to the Valentines Day Dance on 14th
February (tickets available from the Council Offices) and hoping that I am
not going to be snowed in this week. Cllr Gilli
Primrose |
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On
Boxing Day I watched the Colchester Morris Men perform on Black Buoy Hill,
along with a good crowd of locals. It was a very enjoyable experience,
enhanced by their presenting me with their collection of £253 which I
happily passed on to the Meningitis Trust as arranged. They had
asked me to choose a child based charity, and this one, as most of you
will now know, is one close to my heart. I have received a certificate
from the Trust to pass on to the Morris Men, with thanks. Also included
with the certificate was a letter thanking me for all the stamps that we
collected over the Christmas period. I collected locally and from school
and managed to fill a large carrier bag! Keith hand delivered this to the
Trust’s agent near Ipswich, as it was too bulky to post. I would like to
thank everyone who contributed to the bag – Christmas is an ideal time
to make this kind of collection. The Trust, however, collect all the year
round, so there will be an on-going collection bag at the Council Office
for any more stamps you have.