July and August have been as busy as ever with lots of Mayoral events. A group of Chinese exchange students visited the Parlour in July, and this was the second exchange visit from the Wang Jo area of China. The students certainly posed some interesting questions about the Borough and the Council and they also agreed to perform some Ti Chi at the Mayoress at home function later in the month.
A group of engineering students from Mulheim, who were on a work placement at SW Durham Training Centre at Newton Aycliffe, also visited the Mayor’s Parlour. This also proved to be another interesting question and answer session. I later attended the Awards ceremony at the SW Durham workshops and presented a prize to one of the German group.
It was with some disappointment that there was nothing organised in Darlington for Veterans Day. Because of this, quick invites were sent out for the veterans to come into the mayors parlour to mark Veterans Day.
The Mayoress at Home event was held in the Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall. This is one of the annual highlights of the year and the event is open to all to attend. Once again the turnout was exceptional, and the thanks of my Mayoress an I go to the Staff at the Dolphin Centre for organising and delivering another successful event.
A visit to Bannatynes Health Club, to open their new Spa facility, proved to be an interesting evening. The man from the Dragons Den himself was in attendance to show us around and jointly open the Spa.
Durham Cathedral Martins for the Courts is a spectacular day out, with all the ‘pomp and ceremony’ you would expect from such an event. Many of those attending turned out in full ceremonial dress, with the carrying of swords and pikes. The choir and the service were memorable and the service was closed with comment from The Bishop of Durham.
A invitation to Corporation Community School to open there new cycle storage area was a real treat. The children welcomed me and I spent time talking to them about cycling. The Northern Echo also attended the event and ran a story in the paper on the following day.
I have said all along that Darlington is full of talent and the visit to Carmel College for, their Sports Presentation evening, only strengthened that view. The College have so much talent in the sporting field, and lots of their young people have achieved so much locally and nationally. The Guest of Honour was Shirley Webb, better known as Battle Axe from the hit TV show Gladiators, and she is an inspiration to those young sports people. No rest though, as on the following evening I attended the Young Sports Winner Scheme at Serco Teesside Airport. More exceptional talent was on display as they collected their awards. The Final of this programme is going to be something really special.
I had to take some time out during July as I ended up spending a short time in hospital with a Chest infection. I must say I really did feel unwell. The staff at the Memorial Hospital were excellent and they looked after me very well. All the tests and monitoring meant that I was kept fully informed at all times and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at the hospital for their care and support.
By the following weekend I was well enough to take a long weekend away. This trip had been planned for some time and the Mayoress, some motorcycle friends, myself a motorcycle, two man tent and a trip to Scotland. Super weekend.
The Mayor’s Charitable Committee had our usual monthly meeting and we distributed funds of over £3,500 to local community groups and individuals.
The 2008 Darlington Community Games were next at the Eastbourne Sports Complex. The weather held and I spent the day watching tag rugby, football, athletics, cricket and tennis. I presented the prizes and took time out to speak to many of the young people who take part together with the organisers of the event and again, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the organisers for the day. Well done to all!!
The Talking Newspaper are a group of volunteers who produce tapes and CD’s for visually impaired residents of the Borough, and it was a real pleasure to visit their offices in the Northern Echo buildings. We hear about these organisations but because they just get on with it we don’t really understand how hard they work to produce their materials. The CD’s and tapes are delivered by post to homes right across the borough.
Cummins Ltd on Yarm Road have been awarded the Queens Award for Industry and I was invited along to the awards ceremony and a tour of the factory. Cummins are a large employer and it was really interesting to tour the factory and see how their production lines work and also see some of their research and development.
A quick trip from Cummins Engines, to Pensbury Street, to open their new play area. The community around this play area started campaigning some time ago for this area to be transformed. It was a real problem area with issues around anti-social behaviour. Working in Partnership with the Central Partnership, Ground work and local residents, a local plan was made and the area has been transformed into a community play area. I enjoyed meeting all those involved and looking at the photos of the changes as they happened. Well done to the residents
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust held the unveiling and launch of the A1 Class Locomotive. I attended the event, blew the whistle and waved the flag as part of the ceremony, and spent some time talking to the team who had worked and supported development of the locomotive for the last 18 years. I suppose the highlight was getting to travel on the footplate. This is a real example of the skills and determinations of local people to achieve. The engine looked and sounded magnificent. Thanks to the A1 Trust and its supporters, well done.
I attended the opening ceremony for yet another community project, this time at Eggleston View, for a super new play area, which once again, had been developed by Groundwork and local residents working together, to deliver this facility for the Branksome area. Lots of people attended the event and there was a brilliant opening speech from a young lady called Rebecca.
I dropped in on a couple of events running through the week, as I was unable to attend the performances on the Saturday. The first was the ‘Dream it Live’ group who were rehearsing at the Arts Centre, and being trained by Darrien, the joint winner of the TV show ‘ Strictly Dance Fever’. They certainly looked impressive. The second was the ‘Melting Pot’ drama school rehearsing a performance of Planet X at Carmel School. Both of these schemes are a credit to the organisers and the young people taking part. We wished them well and good luck for their shows on the Saturday.
Darlington’s 10K road race. We were there to meet the competitors and do the official start. This year saw the highest entry ever to the main event , but there was a good turnout in the fun run and the young people’s race. The main event went off smoothly and the weather was fine for the start of the race, but unfortunately the rain came as the lead competitors were entering the finishing straight. I spoke to some of the runners after the after the race and the had no complaints about the weather and had nothing but praise for the event, and I have to agree. Well done to all.
Friday the 15th August will be a day that will not be forgotten for a long time as it saw the devastating fire at the Kings Head Hotel, which was probably one of the biggest news items in the Borough for a long time. Although the damage to the hotel was of concern there was no injury or loss of life for any of the staff or guests and they all managed to evacuate the building safely. The decision on the building will depend on report from the Engineers ECT. I have spoken to the Chief Fire Officer at the scene and I would like to thank them and all the other emergency services for their prompt action on this tragic incident, but also to pass on their thanks to the council, and local business for their splendid responses to the incident. I must also say that the residents of the borough were super in their response.
However, there was another event happening on the same day in the town, and that was the tea dance in the Market Square. The Markets spectacular event with stalls from all over Europe, Music and entertainment for young and old alike. I opened the Tea Dance and persuaded Darrien and the ‘Dream it Live’ Troop to perform. We had the New Town Crier performing hourly around the town and the Pedestrian Heart was buzzing with stalls, shoppers and the media. A super day for the Borough taking into account all that had gone on.
I have over the course of the month also attended several charitable events in the Borough and surrounding area, including the Teddy bears Picnic at North lodge Park.