26th May - Mayor of Pooles Quiz Night A Huge Success
At the first Mayor's Charity event of the year, a fab evening was had by all, with over eighty quizzers joining the fray. Hosted by a professional quizmaster, at stake was the Mayor of Poole's Annual Quiz Challenge Cup, with booby and spot prizes.
Mayor's charities Poole CAB and Poole Forum were out in force, and the eventual cup winners were Poole CAB who reinforced their reputation for answering all sorts of questions. The booby prize of ‘thick chocolate' was won by ‘Linda's Ladies'.
A £400 profit was made on the event, which brings the Mayor's Charity Appeal Fund up to a roaring start of £3500.
Organised by the Mayor of Poole's Charity Committee, the next big event will be a Tenpin Bowling Challenge on 12th June at Bowlplex, Branksome. Details and tickets are available from the Mayor's Secretary Jo Clements on 633200 or email j.clements@poole.gov.uk.
The Mayor and Consort with the Mayor of Poole's Annual Quiz Challenge Cup
The winning team, led by Richard Bristow of Poole CAB
25th May - Mayor of Poole Congratulates Retiring Teacher
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, recently presented retiring teacher Keith Parsons with a long service award in the Mayor's Parlour. Keith is retiring in July and has been teaching French at Poole High School since 1967.
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt said. "I didn't like to admit to Keith that when he started teaching I was still in Primary school; he certainly didn't look as though he had been teaching for 39 years. What is it coming to when teachers start looking young? I wish Keith and his family a long and happy retirement and my grateful thanks on behalf of our communities for his amazing dedication and commitment over such a huge amount of time".
22nd May - Mayor of Poole Swims to School
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, attended Merley First School to launch Poole's Walk to School Week, accompanied by Council officers, school head teacher Mrs Birley and ward councillor Leo Belcham.
Meeting parents in the pouring rain, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, joked "Welcome to swim to school week!" On a more serious note, she said "This is a brilliant cross-cutting initiative which brings improvements in health, traffic problems and education".
The Mayor talking to parents outside Merley First School
22nd May - Mayor of Poole Opens Poole Forum Office
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, accompanied by Cllr Mrs Mary Hillman, opened the new Commercial Road office of Poole Forum Advocacy For You, a self-advocacy group of people with learning disabilities and one of the Mayor's selected charities for this year.
After opening the office, the Mayor presented Forum members with a huge celebratory bouquet of flowers, and spent time chatting with staff and Forum members.
Responding to a welcome by Forum Manager Bernie Bow, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "I don't believe in wearing my heart on my sleeve, but I am determined to empower people to speak up for themselves ensuring that they have a true voice and a good listening ear".
The Mayor with Bernie Bow and Forum member Alison
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, with Poole Council's Head of Social Services Mr Charlie Sheldrick, Cllr Mrs Mary Hillman, Forum Manager Bernie Bow and Poole Forum member Alison
21st May - Mayor of Poole Gets All Steamed Up!
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, visited Gillingham for the town's Civic Day.
The afternoon included transport by traction engine, a visit to the museum of the historic town, and a display by the Pipes and Drums of the Wessex Highlanders.
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, took the opportunity to mount the footplate of the Duke of York traction engine for the trip to the museum.
The Mayor of Poole on the footplate
The Mayor of Poole and Consort with the ‘Chain Gang'; Mayors and Consorts from around Dorset
20th May - Mayor of Poole Launches Threads
On 20th May the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, opened ‘Threads', a community tapestry project, at Poole Central Library, for the start of Adult Learning Week.
The tapestries, which have been created by over 130 local volunteers taking more than 1300 hours, depict the town and harbour of Poole and their history. The project was led by Poole artist June Heap and funded by a Government initiative.
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "This is a shining example of melding the past with the future. These tapestries will last long into the next century, providing a snapshot of Poole's past for future generations."
The Mayor with some of the volunteers who created the tapestries
The Mayor with artist June Heap and the tapestries
20th May - Mayor of Poole Visits Scaplens Court
The newly-elected Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, became a ‘Poole Man', when she attended the Society of Poole Men's Open Day at historic Scaplens Court, and accepted a year's honorary membership.
Local historian and Society member Brian Galpin gave a talk about the history of the building and the Society. This building, believed to date from the 14th century, was once the home of the then Poole Corporation until it moved to the Guildhall in 1572. Following a long career, it was bought by the Council after suffering storm damage in 1923 and was reconstructed by the Society and opened to the public in 1929. It fell into disuse post-war, and was again refurbished and re-opened in 1991.
Society President and former Poole Town Clerk Ian Andrews presented the Mayor with a pennant and a year's membership of the Society.
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "I will be proud to display this pennant in my Parlour and am privileged to be a member of the Society of Poole Men. It is imperative that the knowledge of our past is brought into the present to ensure the future of Poole."
The Mayor and Society President Mr Ian Andrews with the pennant
The Mayor goes back to school at Scaplens Court
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with her Consort Mr David Butt and local historian Mr Brian Galpin; Society President Ian Andrews, and Poole Town Crier David Squire
20th May - Mayor of Poole Presents Rugby Awards
On 20th May the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, presented the awards at the final of a rugby tag contest at Carter Community College in Hamworthy.
The competition, which has been running for the past 5 years, is for local schoolchildren aged between 9 and 12, and is organised between Dorset Police and Poole Council. The match was won by Oakdale School, with Longfleet as the runners-up.
Presenting the prize, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "The team spirit of these young people is amazing, with a very high standard of fair play and skill. These children are extremely fit and healthy, a real credit to their schools and families."
The Mayor with the winning team and awards
18th May - Mayor of Poole Visits SV Tenacious
On 18th May the newly-elected Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, visited the Jubilee Sailing Trust vessel SV Tenacious at Southampton. The Trust uses its two specially-designed tall ships to help able-bodied and physically disabled people to work together as a team to overcome the challenges of sailing a square-rigged vessel.
This allows disabled people to play a full part in the sailing the ship. Chairman Tom Stewart said "This is a real eye-opener for those who often see disabled people as needing sympathy or help. However, the biggest impact is on the individuals who experience the challenge for themselves".
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "I am delighted to see so many young people learning to overcome their fears and work together. I firmly believe in giving a hand up rather than just a hand out".
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with Trust Chairman Tom Stewart, Mayor's Consort David Butt, and one of the young people crewing Tenacious
16th May - Mayor of Poole named as Cllr Mrs Judy Butt
This year's Mayor Making ceremony took place yesterday (Tuesday 16 May) in the Council Chamber.
This traditional annual occasion, which is one of the highlights in the civic calendar, saw Cllr Mrs Judy Butt become the new Mayor, Cllr Jeff Allen the new Sheriff and Cllr Lou Knight as Deputy Mayor.
Mayor of Poole - Cllr Mrs Judy Butt
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt has been a Poole Councillor for Creekmoor, Hillbourne and Waterloo since 1999. Her main committee responsibilities include Education, Licensing and Standards and she is also one of the Borough of Poole's two Council representatives on Dorset Police Authority. Her role as Chairman of the Upton House Liaison Forum looking after one of Poole's most treasured buildings is of very special significance to her.
Mother-of-three, Daniel, Charlie and Georgina, Judy, a freelance Legal Advisor has been married to David for 20 years. Away from Council activities her diverse interests include horse racing, thimble collecting and carrying out duties as a Eucharistic Minister at her local church.
Cllr Mrs Butt has chosen the following three charities to support throughout her year in office:
Poole Forum - a self-advocacy organisation run by and for people of all ages and abilities with learning difficulties
Poole Help & Care - an independent charity that provides a network for carers
Cllr Mrs Judy Butt said: "I am honoured and absolutely delighted to have been chosen by my Council peers to take up the 758th year of Civic Office as the Mayor of Poole for the forthcoming year. It is a tremendous privilege, David and I will do all we can to enhance the prestige of this ancient role, whilst ensuring at all times that the dignity and integrity of the office is maintained. My grateful thanks go to my predecessors Cllrs Lou Knight and Les Burden and their wives for their unconditional and constant support and encouragement over the last year."
The new Mayoral team - Cllr Lou Knight as Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt as Mayor and Cllr Jeff Allen as Sheriff.
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, launches her 'Wishing Well' Charity Appeal.
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