Marlborough Town Council
October
Wednesday, 7th October – The day started off with a Stonebridge Management Committee meeting, then on to the Mobility Store for discussions about starting a Shop Mobility scheme in Marlborough. This is a scheme linking up with other towns where you can hire mobility scooters at very reasonable prices. This proposal will, hopefully, be supported by the Area Board.
In the evening we had the Marlborough in Bloom AGM and Award Presentation when everyone was welcomed by the Chairman, Mrs Ann Crawley. Some MiB members had been invited down to the beautiful Dartmouth Naval College to collect the awards which were presented that evening. In the Its Your Neighbourhood category, ARK collected a piece of silverware for best native planting at Stonebridge Meadow and Marlborough Water Front, under the care of Mrs Val Compton, received an Outstanding Award certificate. The Lamb (which clearly should have come first) collected a certificate for third place for being the pub with the best floral displays in the South West and the landlords were delighted to receive it.
The evening also saw the launch of the MiB Calendar which has been produced with local photos taken by Eric Gilbert.
Saturday, 10th October - All the excitement of the Little Mop Fair. Alongside Claire Perry, we all enjoyed opening this with Claire and I starting it all off by having the first ride. The Showmen’s Guild generously presented me with a cheque for £500 towards my Mayoral Charity and the bonus was me winning more on the darts stall! It was then onto a Reception in the Town Hall given by the Guild.
Sunday, 11th October - A beautiful autumn day welcomed Marlborough’s first Town Council Civic Service and we were honoured by the presence of Sir Mike Pitts, Deputy Lord Lieutenant t of Wiltshire and the 4th Military Battalion’s new Commander, Lt. Col. Matt Jones. Not forgetting too, ten Mayors and Mayoresses and Councillors from around Wiltshire and Hungerford.
Marlborough College Choir sang an Anthem and together with the trumpeters, made for some beautiful singing and sound. I read a lesson from St Mark and my Chaplain, Dr David Campbell, gave the sermon. Father Blacker, the Rector Rev Andrew Studdert Kennedy and the Town Council staff all helped to make it an occasion. It was followed by a Reception in the Town Hall.
Tuesday, 13th October - A Common Users Group meeting at the Golf Club which was very well attended and plenty of views aired.
Wednesday, 14th October - Marlborough Christmas Light’s Switch-on meeting. The committee is pulling together, what we hope will be a fine evening which will include a presentation to our Citizen of the Year 2015.
In the evening I went along to the Marlborough – A Fairtrade Town meeting which Dr Nick Maurice hosted in the Town Hall. Joe Human, Co-ordinator of the Cumbria Fairtrade, gave a very good presentation on why we should all support Fairtrade then two managers from Waitrose and Tesco spoke about the commercial side and how they might be able to work together
Thursday, 15th October - Golf Match. Here the Mayor’s Team took on the Golf Club. 4MI made up the bulk of our team alongside Ryan from our Grounds staff. The matches were played in good spirit and as it was a draw, I presented the Rose Bowl Trophy to both captains! Now it only leaves the decision about next year when it will be a lady Captain - do we go for mixed pairs or include a ladies team? We were treated to a delicious meal by the Golf Club and my thanks go to its Captain, Alan Pryor, as well as to our own captain, Paul Clemerson, and his team
Friday, 16th October - The Town Council Stonebridge Management team met ARK at the meadow where it is hoped to place some log seating by the river so everyone can enjoy the ambiance. There were also discussions about the felling and pruning of an unsafe tree.
The evening saw me at a Civic Dinner at Warminster which was very well done where we had the chance to meet and talk with other Mayors.
Thursday, 22nd October – A splendid Fashion Show at the Town Hall. I was honoured to be invited along and I made the following speech to open the event:
"Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for coming this evening and supporting the Lion’s Fashion Show. I would like to add my congratulations to the President, Mrs Sue Lampard, and the Marlborough Lions Club as they reach their 40th anniversary which I believe is a ruby celebration.
The concept of the Lions is to be a charitable organisation, to not just raise funds, but to support where needed not just in this country but around the globe supporting worldwide disasters and I list some of the Charitable causes which have benefited:
Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Naomi Children’s Hospice, The Hydro Therapy Pool Swindon, Children’s Adventure Breaks, Macmillan Nurses. We at Marlborough Town Council appreciate its support with The Christmas Light Switch-on, a community event where they will escort the Mayor down the High St in the Reindeer Sleigh to turn on the Christmas Lights. They also will be collecting in the High Street for one of their charities.
Some of their successful fund raising events are The Bluebell Woods, Easter Egg Raffle, the Christmas Carol Float and tonight, the Fashion Show
It leaves me only to thank all who have participated in this Fashion Show
Annabel from the Merchant House – Foxtrot – Luna - White Stuff - Phase Eight – Viyella – Dress - and to the Lions for kindly inviting me. I hope you all enjoy the evening"