Mayor’s Reception for the Armed Forces

On a delightfully warm last Friday evening, the Deputy Mayoress and I supported our Mayor, Cllr John May and his wife Juliette, in their civic reception under the theme “The Armed Forces – Past, Present and Future”.

The event was well attended by many past service veterans, many of whom are volunteers for a range of service charities. At this Civic reception guests were able to listen to the welcome address from our Mayor in our Council Chamber, and afterwards reminisce on the terrace outside the Council Chamber.

It’s a pleasure to see our Chamber and terrace used for events such as this, which I know, from having talked to many guests, that they appreciated and enjoyed. Some of that enjoyment derives from the way the Mayor’s Secretary, Pat Ross, makes such events run so smoothly, and the excellence of the catering staff keeping the assemblage suitably fed and watered. 

Just what a Civic Reception should be, an event that our ‘honoured’ guests enjoy, about which they can tell others that we’re a well run Council. Mustn’t forget to note that all our Council’s directors were all in attendance, some staying right to the end, and that our Museum Curator, Sharon Cross, had prepared three panels of historical photo’s and material on our connection with the Armed Forces, including an interesting display on the presence of Free French Forces on Barossa Common in WWII.

First duty, attend Spelthorne’s civic reception

Straight in at the deep end, as they say. Appointed Deputy Mayor on May 12th, and the following evening my first deputy mayoral duty – attending the civic reception of Spelthorne Borough Council.

The event was held in The Orangery at Shepperton Studios, at which the now past mayor, recognised the efforts of their community champions. All good stuff. Following these awards was the distribution of proceeds of the mayor’s charity. More good stuff.

Can’t say I knew anyone at the reception – oh, I did briefly chat to Pauline Hedges from the Surrey Chambers of Commerce. However, by chance I sat on a table with a volunteer from The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, who was there with a war veteran – Mr M F Sykes BEM – always a humbling experience to see the medals displayed. Mr Sykes is a committee member of the London region of the War Pension Committee. It’s at events like these that you encounter the many and varied aspects of our volunteering society.