A busy start to Mayor’s month, beginning with an amazing invitation to Joans 100th birthday celebration.
Our next event ‘Mayoress at Home’ where we invite members of the public along to a free high tea at the Oakleaf Sports Complex, along with civic dignitaries from around the area.
As Mayor, I was really pleased to be invited to the Aycliffe Dance Academy event at Billingham Civic Theatre where we were entertained by their lovely all-singing all-dancing members, at times we were brought to near tears and at others were smiling from ear to ear. With groups such as these we need have no fears for future generations of lovely children and young adults. After the show we were able to chat to some of the stars and what delightful young people they were. Can’t wait ‘til next year, if we are invited.
Monday evening, we attended Shine Choir talent show with some trepidation as we were to be judges along with Rev John, his lovely wife Helen and the intrepid Andy Boyd of Police and Knife Angel fame, accompanied by his lovely daughter. A star-studded show with talent from a variety of ages, every contestant was a star shining brightly and virtually brought the audience to their feet, well done everyone who competed, but also to Helen and her volunteers for all of the backstage work which went into organising this fantastic exhibition of talented youngsters.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the saving of our historic Heighington Station, Hitachi have proven to be fantastic neighbours. I, for one, can’t wait to see this icon opened to the public .
Friday brought the Big Brass Bash which is one of my favourite events of the year, open air music and dancing and a chance to meet up with friends and Newtonians, a great atmosphere and an opportunity to chat with everyone about how they would like to see Great Aycliffe develop.
Saturday was extremely busy for the Mayoress and me starting at the wonderful bus museum open day. I was privileged to be Mayor when this fantastic facility opened during my previous term. I am afraid I boast a lot about this, but I am immensely proud of the folk who made this possible, I also met up with our MP Alan Strickland which gave me an opportunity to thank him for the behind the scenes work with Hitachi on saving Locomotion 1 and to discuss the Fornax situation.
Chilton at 1pm for the Mayoress Sue Reece at home event where we had the opportunity to chat with old friends and new over a cup of tea and cakes, of course it is also an opportunity to promote our lovely town and compare Chains of office, OURS IS THE BEST.
4pm arrived at the Navy Club to help in celebrating the 60th wedding anniversary of Ann and Peter Molyneux, a fabulous party and a pleasure to be able to present a card and bouquet of flowers. As a reward for this gesture, we tucked into the beautiful buffet.
Cllr Ken Robson
Mayor of Great Aycliffe.