It has been a month since my inauguration as Mayor of Darlington and already, my Mayoress and I, are amazed at the level of esteem, in which this position is held, across the region.
To date we have attended 28 official events, in and around the Borough, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those organisations for their kind invitations. It has been hard to pick what have been the high lights so far, as each event has provided us with some special memories.
We were invited to the Arts Centre by the Red Hall Dance Group, who put on a splendid two hour show of music and dance. Young people aged from five years of age to late teens performed over 20 dances to some amazing music. It is often the case that young people are criticised, but this group really restores your faith in the young people of the town.
I attended the Memorial Service, held at St Cuthbert’s Church, for Alderman Jim Skinner, to celebrate his life and achievements of this remarkable man. It was a real honour and privilege to be there to pay tribute to the work that he had done for the Borough, particulary within the education system.
The Darlington Young Sports Winners’ Awards, is an event that I attended as Deputy Mayor last year, and I said then, that it was a scheme that I wanted to be involved with, and when the invitation was received, it was readily accepted by myself and the Mayoress. We have a enormous amount of young sporting talent in the Borough, in a wide array of sports, and these awards are a celebration of the achievement of those young people and the hard work of not just them, but the coaches and parents who support them.
The council has a tremendous work force and their commitment to the council was shown in an event held to promote learning and education for staff at the Library and Central House. I attended the event at the library which turned out to be a very busy day for the organisers who received many enquiries in respect of training and health checks, information around organic gardening, composting, etc.
Haughton Village School next and a Charity cycle ride launch to raise money for a sensory garden for the school. Whilst I was at the school I given a tour at which time I took the opportunity to speak to staff and pupils.
I accepted an invitation by Wear Valley to a tour of local historical sites in their area which included the Bishops Palace and the Ancient Roman Fort at Bishop Auckland, and the Saxon Church at Escome. I would recommend anyone to visit these attractions, should the opportunity arise.
At the eVOLution awards ceremony held at the Dolphin Centre, I presented awards to some of the winners. The events was a real eye opener to, and demonstrated to me, the work that the what our voluntary sector really does. Their commitment and dedication to the residents of the borough is amazing. Unselfish attitudes and a real caring attitude merit the highest praise.
The Mayors Charity golf competition was another successful event with £1000 donated to the Mayors Charity Fund. The weather stayed fine and all the teams who entered had a great day. This competition is now one of the most popular golfing days in the calendar for local players. The sponsors, Stressholme Golf Course, Organisers, Council employees and the competitors, make this event the success it is, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.
The Mayoress and I attended the 100 years celebration event for the café in the South Park, which was originaly opened in 1908. It was real a privilege to be part of this event and it was pleasing to see that many of the residents of the borough also attended the event.
A group of exchange engineering students from Mulheim in Germany visited the Council Chamber and Parlour and they had many questions on the Council and the Mayoralty. The exchange students were here for several weeks and they spent some of their time working in local companies.
Miss Sally Milner was licensed as Chaplin, by the Bishop of Jarrow, at Eastbourne Church of England Academy . I was very pleased to meet the Bishop and it was a real honour to be part of this ceremony.
It was with real pride for me that I was invited to officially open the new Student Loan Company Offices at Lingfield Point. Up to 650 new jobs would be created and it demonstrated a real commitment to the Borough by the Student Loan Company. A plaque, which inlcuded my name, with a time capsule underneath, was unveiled by two members of staff and myself. We then had an opportunity to have a look around the office space and talk to staff.
A invitation from the Garrison Commander Colonel N C T Miller and the officer of Cattrick Garrison, to a cocktail party and beating the retreat, at the officers Mess Gaza barracks, was a new experience, and the excellent skills of the soldiers of the band and their marching skills was a real treat to see close up.
The summer concert by the Richardson Singers at the Dolphin Centre with the Carol Andrews singers as guest performers made for an excellent nights entertainment. This event was in aid of the air Ambulance and was well attended and much appreciated by all there.
Once again off to the South Park for the Big Bikeathon in aid of Leukaemia Research. I welcomed everyone to the event and assisted in the count down to the start. The event was well attended, by people of all age groups, to support this good cause. We had the opportunity to speak to the organisers of the event, Darlington Cultural Services, meet the stall holders and enjoy a coffee at the Park Café.
I have also over the course of the last month attended several church services at the invitation of several other authorities.