Page 15 - Phonebox Magazine November 2014

From the Mayor’s Chair
Newport Pagnell
That’s it. Our last outing for this year in our caravan. Getting a bit too cold and wet for a couple of old fogies at this time of year. Holidays whilst being mayor
have their problems. First, pick some time without mayor’s bookings. Second, find some time without council meetings. Third, and most important, check with the cattery to see if they have room for the cat! If all that is alright, find a camp site in an area that we want to go to and hope they can take us. That all sounds rather flippant, but in reality, I take being mayor very seriously. The role comes with a lot of responsibility, as you are representing every single person that lives in your town. In my case, Newport Pagnell. The biggest responsibility of my year will be on Remembrance Sunday, when I will lay a wreath on behalf of the town. There is nearly always on the news programs, items about a conflict somewhere in the world. Because there are so many being reported, the impact is somehow lost. But standing next to our war memorial, waiting
to lay that wreath, listening to the war-dead names being read out, will bring home what it actually means. My father was with the 8th Army during the Second World War. He was one of the lucky ones, he came home. Many did not.
Thinking about Remembrance Sunday, reminds me that 2014, is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One. The Newport Pagnell Partnership Volunteer Gardening Group, of which I am a member, intends to do a commemorative garden in town to mark the occasion. If it comes off, it will be a poignant reminder of the consequences of war.
On to a more pleasant occasion. I am an honoury member of the Newport Pagnell Rotarians and they chartered the ‘John Bunyan,’ a specially designed narrow-boat based in Bedford, to go on a cruise from Bedford to Kempston and back. A bright sunny day, very good company and an on- board lunch, all combined to make a very pleasant restful day, which was enjoyed by all. Rotarians are a bunch of good people, who do a lot for charity that often goes unnoticed.
On Saturday 12th October, Yvonne and I were guests at the Willen Hospice ‘Big Sing for Willen,’ which was held in our parish church, St. Peter and St. Paul. We arrived dead on the dot for the start, which un-nerved a few people as we should have been a bit early. We were shown to our allotted seats at the front and there they were. Six choirs with their musicians and conductors. I have never seen so many
people in one place to entertain us. Nothing could prepare you for the opening. All the choirs singing together ‘He Lives in You’ from The Lion King. Wow! That was so amazing, that words alone cannot describe that raw emotion evoked by so many voices. The evening continued with the choirs each doing their own set pieces and then coming together again for the finale. With the music still ringing in my ears, I had to then give a short ‘Thank you’ to all and sundry. With thoughts of why we were all there, knowing someone who was cared for in Willen, and being a bit of an emotional person anyway, I found it hard to speak clearly. So my apologies and sincere thanks to all who attended.
The next day found us in Rushden to attend their Civic Service. The best part for me, apart from lunch afterwards, was processing from the council office to the church, behind a pipe and drum band. Most entertaining. Before I get too boring, I will end by mentioning the forthcoming ‘Mayor’s Tea Party,’ of which the first one is imminent as I write this. Over the coming months we are inviting at random, residents from Newport, to join the Mayor for a cup of tea and nibbles, in each of our Community Centres in turn. Totally informal, drop in and say hello, meet me and Yvonne, ask anything you want (I might not know the answer), tell us what you want from us, meet other residents. If you do get an invitation, please come along. I am here to represent you, but it would be nice to know whom it is that I am representing.
SAY TO FEATHER CHRISTMAS
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Phonebox Magazine 15