Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole 2006/07

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, entertained Mrs Cathy Gardner in her Parlour.

Mrs Gardner represented the Dore charity, which is trying to introducing screening of children for learning disabilities, leading to early and more accurate diagnosis of problems, and more effective treatment for the condition. The Mayor referred to her own experiences with her own sons, both of whom suffered from learning difficulties but with suitable treatment and encouragement were on course to make a success of their lives.

Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "This is a fascinating area of innovative and new medicine and one that in the future like many of our now well accepted treatments may become the norm in years to come. As a Mum of two lovely boys with acute dyspraxia, dyslexia, mild dysphasia and partial sight I really understand the dilemmas that all parents and carers face.  I have asked to meet Mr Wynford Dore the founder of this new and exciting treatment to learn more about the subject in order to benefit other children who suffer with these challenging and debilitating conditions."

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with Mrs Cathy Gardner of the Dores charity in her Parlour.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, presided over a citizenship ceremony at the Civic Centre Annexe.

Originating from such diverse parts as South Africa, Florida and India, all of the five new citizens had been resident in Poole for a number of years and were supported at the ceremony by family and friends.

Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "These ceremonies are always a pleasure to preside over as the sense of belonging and accomplishment of the candidates is tangible.  Many of them have come from very troubled countries and are so relieved to have a safe and productive haven here in beautiful Poole. Every candidate has a true sense of needing to be part of the community and they are genuinely thrilled to become a fellow countryman. I am always humbled by their innate humility and great joy in this achievement."

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with the Sheriff and new citizens at the citizenship ceremony at the Civic Centre Annexe.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, accompanied by her husband and Consort Mr David Butt, attended the North Dorset Civic day, at Tarrant Hinton.  The Mayor together with a selection of Mayors and Chairman of Authorities all over Dorset met up at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.  Annually the head of each authority be it a Mayor of Chairman invites all other Mayors and Chairman to a Civic Day, which is an opportunity for everyone to learn about the host Mayor's town and history.

This year the Chairman of North Dorset took everyone attending on a fabulous visit to the Steam Fair.  After assembling at Norden, everyone travelled by coach to the local farm at Tarrant Hinton, where they were all collected by a huge steam traction engine pulling a farm cart and delivered safely to the heart of the steam fair.  After a super buffet lunch everyone was free to wander around the exhibits and enjoy the day.  However our Mayor was allowed no such luxury as she was challenged by the North Dorset Chairman for a financial remuneration for her charities to board the ‘Bungee Jump of Death', a huge contraption which shot her 100ft into the great blue yonder and back, again and again and again, eventually stopping and allowing her to alight and ascertain where she had left her stomach!

No sooner had she finished this death defying feat, which no other Mayor had the slightest inclination to partake of, she was asked by the neighbouring fair ride to take part in ‘Beelzebub's gyrocopter of death and pestilence' for £100 (the Mayor couldn't remember the name but this was the suggested wording) so undeterred she did so and brought back a laudable £140 for her charities, a little the worse for wear but nothing that a pint or two of ‘ Old Speckled Hen' could not remedy. For information about the Great Dorset Steam Fair, see www.steam-fair.co.uk/.

Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "Unfortunately I was not quick enough to refuse Col. Mike Oliver the Chairman of North Dorset District Council.  It was not really an invitation but more of an order and coming from a military man I knew my place and instantly concurred.  Biggest mistake of life obviously but I at least know now that I will NEVER partake in such shenanigans again, Col. Mike did remind me that I was doing a sponsored abseil down the water tower at Tower Park in October but compared to the two fairground rides it would be a doddle.  The Sheriff was every inch the gentleman and accompanied me on the second ride but was of no help whatsoever when at 19000 feet he suggested that I open my eyes and look at the view!"

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with her Consort, Mr David Butt, the Sheriff and his Lady and other Mayors, sample the contents of the real ale tent at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with her Consort, Mr David Butt, boarding the ‘Bungee Jump' at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with her Consort, Mr David Butt, in mid-air aboard the ‘Bungee Jump', tie and high heels flying at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with the Sheriff, aboard the ‘Gyrocopter' ride at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, accompanied by her husband and Consort Mr David Butt, with her family and supporters, ran a tombola stall at the Poole Park Fest, raising over £400 for her charities.

The Mayor was honoured to be asked to take part in the ‘Long Dragon Dance', symbolizing the bringing of good luck and prosperity for the year to come. Although the Dragon looks fierce, it represents supernatural power, goodness, fertility, vigilance and dignity. Expecting to be part of the Dragon's tail, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt was surprised to say the least when she was asked to play the ‘Pearl', which is chased by the Dragon and symbolizes the search for wisdom. This proved to be an exhausting role, as she had to run backwards for the length of the Park road, teasing the Dragon with the Pearl, then turning and running away. For more information about the Dragon Dance, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_dance.

At the end of the day, the Mayor achieved a lifetime ambition by taking the stage for a few minutes with Elvis - or at least a very good impersonator!

Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole said " It was a clear case of two extremes. The morning brought Dragons and Pearls and the afternoon the long lamented King of Rock and Roll. Elvis still alive and well contrary to popular belief was drop dead gorgeous, I wasted no time in telling him this and spent many precious minutes with him on the stage generally drooling in his direction. Elvis did invite me on to his stage as he noticed that I was wearing slightly more impressive jewelry than he was, he told me that he had piad £6 for his medallion and I replied oh that much!!  When I informed him as to the value of the Mayoral Chain which belongs to the people of Poole he was slightly amazed but being every inch the King not too bowled over to give a fantastic performance to the delight of the 25000 strong audience, a memorable day and one that the Friends of Poole Park in conjunction which ‘Mr Kyps' and other supporterS should be justly proud."

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, in the ‘Long Dragon Dance' at the Poole Park Fest.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, is offered a fortune cookie by one of the dragons at the Poole Park Fest.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with entrants in the football competition at the Poole Park Fest.

A truly Royal picture - the King of Rock with Poole's Queen of Hearts, the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, accompanied by her husband and Consort Mr David Butt, opened the Poole Park Fest, organized by the Friends of Poole Park.

Centred on a music stage provided by the Mr Kyps Live Music Venue, the Friends lined up hundreds of stalls and attractions, attracting about 20,000 visitors to the event. The Mayor toured and met all of the stallholders, and couldn't resist trying out the inflatable ‘K2' slide, arriving at the bottom in a tangle of arms, legs and Mayoral chains!

Cllr Mrs Judy Butt also witnessed at close quarters the beautiful and colourful Chinese ‘Dragon Dance', a foretaste of the ‘Long Dragon Dance' to be performed the following day.

Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "I had an exhilarating start to the festivities when I agreed to ascend and then rapidly descend the huge ‘death slide' and I certainly died of some small embarrassment when parts of my anatomy flatly refused to process in the right order, my stern definitely proceeding my humerus!"

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, arriving at the bottom of the inflatable slide at the Poole Park Fest.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with the White Watch fire crew at the Poole Park Fest.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, shares an ancient Chinese joke with the Dragons and dancers at the Poole Park Fest.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with Mr Chris Pullen, owner of Poole Park Miniature Railway, and Mr Terry Smith, Events Organiser for the Fest. Mr Pullen is raising funds to reintroduce a steam train to the miniature railway.