johnfletcher

For our last mayoral engagement of 2008 we were invited by Parkfield/Mill Lane Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder to the Friends of Parkfield & Mill Lane Carol Service in the ruins of Holy Trinity Church on Trinity Green.

The building was a parish church of the Church of England (not to be confused with a newer Holy Trinity Church elsewhere in Stockton), lost its spire and became redundant.  For a time it was loaned to the Greek Orthodox Church, but was gutted in a disastrous fire in 1991.  It was since purchased for a nominal sum by our Council and has been made safe as a stabilised ruin.

This was the first event that has taken place since the stabilization works of the church ruin.  However, this was not the official opening of the church as there is still some work to be carried out in the grounds.  Rather, this is a local event for the community to celebrate the work that had taken place to date. 

The Friends of Parkfield and Mill Lane group have sought additional funding to assist in the regeneration of the site.  The Friends group is an umbrella group of resident representatives from the local resident groups in Parkfield and Mill Lane.

After my opening address, the Billingham Choral Society & Synthonia Male Voice Choir, standing in the ruins of the chancel, led the congregation standing in the nave ruins in traditional Christmas carols.  These were interspersed by children from the Naat group for coming along to sing for the residents - a group of Muslim boys and girls who were be singing/reciting poetry in Urdu.  The Rev. Dr Philip Ashdown (Church of England) led the closing prayer.

There was a wonderful atmosphere.  It was a calm, mild night.  Parts of the interior walls were picked out by the temporary lighting in use for the service, but the congregation also held candles.  I had never visited the interior of the Church before, but once inside I did not feel that I was only a few hundred yards from Stockton High Street.  Like Dr Ashdown, I hope that this will be an annual event.

Afterwards there were refreshments in Parkfield Community Centre.

As I have no more mayoral engagements before 4^th January, this is my last blog for 2008.  May all my readers have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

 [Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few working days.]

Today we took the Peace Light (which I had received on Friday) to Anglican services in our Parish of Egglescliffe - at Egglescliffe Community Centre this morning and the carol service in Egglescliffe Parish Church this evening.

Mr Arthur Woof kindly delivered a disk of photos taken by him and his wife on Friday afternoon, some of which will appear in the next few working days at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog.

Each year by courtesy of Stockton Council 100 turkeys are given away to market shoppers who have won them in the draw.  Market traders are issued with tickets to give to their customers to enable them to enter.

When we arrived at Stockton Town Hall this lunchtime, there was already a queue waiting for the doors to open.  In all, 94 of the winners came through the ground floor to collect from me tokens which they can exchange after the weekend for a turkey each at the designated Stockton shop.  All went very smoothly, with the Markets Services staff checking the names and keeping a smooth flow of people through the building, but giving Suzanne and me sufficient time to wish each of them a merry Christmas and take a few photos.

Contrary to what the Mayor's Attendant told some of them, he will not be coming round next Thursday to check on the quality of the cooked turkeys!

[Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few working days.]

My mayoral duties began with a meeting of the trustees of the Teesside Emergency Relief Fund.

At 1.30 p.m. Suzanne and I walked with the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire (CW Robson, Esq.) and his Lady to Dodgson's Fountain (at the top of Stockton High Street) for the beginning in the open air of the Mayor's Carol Service, led by the Rev. Derek Rosamond (Community Priest for Stockton-on-Tees), with the band of St John's Ambulance Brigade and Stockton Male Voice Choir.

We then led those taking part in the Service into the nearby Stockton Parish Church, where the service continued the pattern of carols, lessons and prayers, led by the Priest-in-charge (the Rev. Alan Farish).  I read the lesson from St Luke's Gospel about the shepherds in the fields.  The Choir (accompanied by Mr Peter Walker on the Church organ) sang four carols on their own, including my choice God's Surprise.

Mr Arthur Woof, of Redcar & Eston Scout Fellowship, brought to us the Peace Light.  This had been lit by an Austrian Scout in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and transmitted by the Scout Movement to many countries of Europe and the USA.  Like most rail passengers for Stockton, it had been handed over at Darlington Station.  During the service we lit our own storm lantern (and were subsequently grateful to Mr & Mrs Woof for their attention to it when the wind blew it out in the High Street) and members of the congregation took lights also.  I think that everyone felt that the symbolism was very moving - a light coming from the birthplace of the Prince of Peace, now in a war-torn land, distributed across the continents by a worldwide movement.  We shall be passing on the light ourselves (but not in our civic capacity) and would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like it.

In a surprise moment, Mr Farish introduced to the congregation our Council's newly-appointed Chief Executive, Mr Neil Schneider.

In Church were also the Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council and his Lady, The Mayors & Mayoresses of Redcar & Cleveland and Sedgefield Boroughs, the Town Mayors & Mayoresses of Thornaby and of Chilton, a number of Members and Officers of this Council, several ministers of religion and lots of people of this Borough.  Also present was the Rev. Canon David Whittington, OBE, whom many remember as Vicar of Stockton.  Guests went back to the Town Hall afterwards for Tees Cuisine Christmas cake and mince pies and non-alcoholic hot punch - what was left over was shared with the Standards Committee later this afternoon.

[Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few working days.]

A short journey this evening to the familiar surroundings of Egglescliffe Community Centre for Egglescliffe Community Association carol service.  The familiar carols had a stirring accompaniment on the piano; lessons were read by representatives of the sections of the Association and the service was conducted by Eaglescliffe resident Mrs Bridget Noble, a Reader in the Stockton Deanery of the Church of England.  Afterwards over refreshments we met many local people, including some we had known nearly thirty years.  The raffle and collection raised £260 for Butterwick Children's Hospice - a worthwhile effort!

[Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few working days.]

After a meeting with the Leader of the Council to discuss a possible civic event, I went with Suzanne to the Town Hall for a citizenship ceremony.  There were fewer candidates than usual this time - eight adults and two minors.  For once, the largest number was from India, with people also from Thailand, Zimbabwe, Brazil and Togo.  As always, the candidates and their guests clearly found the ceremony a delightful experience.  Afterwards, we had coffee and mince pies with them in my Reception Room, decorated for Christmas, including the cards which had been sent to me as Mayor.

After lunch we were both taken to All Saints' Parish Church, Middlesbrough, for the Annual Christmas Carol Service of Age Concern Teesside.  Music was provided by Abingdon Primary School Steel Band (Middlesbrough), Lockwood Primary School Choir and Scottish pipers from 102 Battalion REME.  There were short addresses by the MP for Middlesbrough and the Vice-chair of Middlesbrough Borough Council.

This evening I was the guest at a meeting of Ingleby Barwick Town Council in Ingleby Barwick Community Hall.  I said a few words of civic greeting in the public participation slot.  After the efficient dispatch of a long list of items, we had Christmas cake and mince pies with our tea.

I've just learnt that an international website (http://www.peacelight.org.uk/) contains an entry for my Civic Carol Service (Friday at 1.30 p.m. in Stockton Parish Church) receiving the Peace Light, brought by the Scout Movement from the grotto in Bethlehem, which is the traditional site of Christ's birth, and distributed through Europe and the USA.

[Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few working days.]

After a meeting about possible future mayoral plans, I went to Billingham Forum to visit a corporate health event for employees of the Council, to promote the Workplace Health Initiative Well@Work.  The Main Hall contained a 100 ft-long inflatable obstacle course upon which employees were competing for the fastest time.  In the Small Hall were various interactive displays, such as virtual cycle rides, health checks, etc., mostly provided by Council departments, but also with stands from Diabetes UK, the PCT and the International Stress Management Association.  I had interesting conversations with many of them on topics as diverse as the fact that stress cause more sick leave than back pain and the number of glasses of wine per week to which I should restrict myself.

In the afternoon, Suzanne and I were invited to Durham University's carol service on Queen's Campus.  Traditional Christmas carols were interspersed with other musical offerings from students and readings.  The Chaplain to John Snow College (Father Damon Bage) preached and I read a lesson.  As in previous years, residents from care homes in the neighbourhood attended.

After mulled wine and mince pies, we were then invited to dine with John Snow College in the Waterside Restaurant.  We were impressed by the quality and choice of the meal, which was the same as that of the students and staff, who dine together.  Although the civic parties (the Town Mayor & Mayoress of Thornaby, in whose parish the Campus lies, were also there) were at reserved tables, there is normally no high table.

The University then had their traditional candlelit procession to Stockton Town Hall (the candles being battery-powered - health & safety!).   Unfortunately, they took a wrong turn, coming via the Millennium Bridge and the Castlegate Centre, while the Council representatives were awaiting their arrival at the Ecclesiastes Bridge.  After a hasty re-assembly, we all joined  in two carols outside the Town Hall before going inside for a formal exchange of Christmas greetings between the University and the Council.  Some time ago it had been agreed not to exchange anything tangible (to avoid clutter) .  However, I had noticed that among our impressive collection of civic, military and other shields in the basement of the Town Hall there was nothing for Durham University or John Snow or George Stephenson Colleges; also, there was no shield for the Borough in the Holliday Building on Queen's Campus.  I had therefore agreed that I would present the Vice-chancellor with a shield of the Borough arms and he give me one of the University arms.  This exchange duly took place, with words about Stockton as a university town.  I look forward to using the shield as a reason to point this fact out to visitors touring the Town Hall.

With the one hitch - I light-heartedly pointed out that next year they would have another bridge to choose from - the evening went off very well and we all look forward to building on good relations in the future.

[Photos at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog]

We started the week with four engagements on the list for today.  A few days ago the fourth was cancelled.  This morning we had a ‘phone call from Stokesley & District Round Table to say that their Christmas grotto planned for today in Stockton town centre had to be cancelled, as its structure would not stand up to the wind and heavy rain.

We were therefore taken straight to Egglescliffe Community Centre (in the ward I represent) for the Christmas fair of Egglescliffe Community Association.  We have been familiar with the Centre ever since we moved here in 1979 - it is a well-used building run entirely by a voluntary committee, supported financially by events of this sort.  The centre's 40^th anniversary will be celebrated next year - we met the Hon. President, who recollected starting to collect subscriptions from households in 1965 to build it.  The fair was well attended and the organisers were hoping for a good result.  We met many people whom we knew.  I drew two raffles, including a prize for myself!  I was even taken to see Father Christmas!  When I pointed out to him that he had not asked me whether I had been a good boy, he said that he had assumed that went without saying for a mayor.  Would ‘twere always true everywhere....

Suzanne and I next went to the Innovation Centre of Teesside University between formal engagements, for a seminar led by BBC broadcaster Mike Thomson, Foreign Affairs Correspondent for the BBC Today programme, on the problems in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Tresor Bukasa (who also spoke), locally, has been telling us for a long time that the world needs to wake up to the problems there  The theme of the event was "Breaking the Silence".  We heard the most harrowing accounts of what one woman had gone through that Mike Thomson had not only met, but been able to track down later to follow up.  The seminar was linked to the aims of Justice First, one of my mayoral charities.

We were then taken to the Everard Ellis Centre for the Billingham Physically Handicapped for the Christmas Party of Billingham Physically Handicapped Club.  This provides a meeting once a week, together with a monthly coffee morning, in premises which were opened in 1965.  I cut the cake and (again) drew the raffle.

It was amazing how long it took us to be driven from home less than two miles to Yarm Methodist Church, owing to the Friday evening traffic tail-back from Yarm High Street.  We arrived just in time to be included at the end of the opening introductions.  The Christmas Concert was by the church choir, with solos from guests.  Traditional Christmas carols were interspersed with readings, piano and tuba solos by Harriet Bradshaw and Tom Quinn, and a number of light-hearted contributions.  Afterwards in the church hall we met a lot of old friends.  It was an enjoyable concert by local people for the family.

[Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few days.]

An ambitious performance - all the children of the Durham Lane Primary School (apart from nursery and reception classes) took part.  Suzanne and I had been invited to All Around the World - a production which interweaved into a traditional nativity play groups of children representing in speech, song and costume Spain, Hawaii, the UK, the USA and Botswana.  To accommodate all parents, grandparents, etc., the School had borrowed the Oakwood Centre in the ward I represent, and the main hall was packed.  Suzanne and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

At the end, there was also a short presentation of the work of Daisy Chain, one of my mayoral charities.  In the last year the School has raised the amazing sum of £1000 for this, in addition to the usual fundraising by the Parents & Friends Association for school funds.

Unfortunately, Suzanne was still not well enough to accompany me to today's engagement.

I went to Speech day at Teesside High School, which is an independent school in the ward I represent.  It's obviously not a healthy time of the year, as the Headmaster (Mr Thomas Packer) had lost his voice (and had his speech read for him) and the wife of the Chairman of the Governors was too ill to come - to say nothing of the coughs in the audience!  The proceedings included musical performances by girls of the School and a speech by the Chairman (local resident His Honour Judge Peter JB Armstrong), who attributed to me a funny story about him which I'd never heard before!  When I challenged this afterwards, I was told that he often did this.  So much for the English judiciary...

The guest of honour was an former Head Girl of the School, Miss Leonie Pratt, who gave a short, clear talk on how one's schooldays were the time to discover oneself and act on that discovery.  She works for Usborne Publishing and was the co-author of The Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do, winner of the Royal Society's Junior Prize 2008.

The opulent surroundings of Wynyard Hall provided the setting for Tees Valley Voices' Christmas Concert, organised by Platform, which supports classical music in the Tees Valley - our Council is one of its Funding Partners.  Before the start, music was provided by Billingham Silver Band.  Then we were taken into the huge Conservatory, with a view of the Park in the setting sun.  The main part of the concert was by Tees Valley Voices, a choir of 6- to 14-year-olds, who meet weekly in Stockton.  We also heard soloists - piano, vocal and horn.  Unfortunately, we missed the last third of this delightful concert, because Suzanne was taken ill and we had to come home.

[Photo at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog]

Our afternoon began with a visit to St Michael's Centre, Norton, for the Christmas Fayre of the Anglican Parish of St Michael & All Angels, Norton, at the invitation of the Vicar, Father Damon Bage.  Before opening it, I had to judge the best-dressed stall.  This was difficult, because it was clear that a lot of thought and effort had gone into both the contents and appearance of every stall.  Indeed, I felt that the congregation had made their Fayre really worth visiting, with thoughtful touches like seats down the middle of the room for the less fit (and for the Mayor to open his tombola tickets!).  By the time we came to leave, the popularity of the offer was clear from the empty spaces on the stalls.  By 4.46 p.m. Fr Bage had posted on Facebook  that the Fayre had made £1128.38 - well done!

There followed a visit to Yarm Art Society's Winter Exhibition in Preston Hall.  Undaunted by having their works hung close to the Museum's own masterpiece (The Dice Players by Georges de la Tour), the members were happy to talk to us about their paintings.  They meet on Monday evenings in Yarm Methodist Church Hall for talks and more practical work.

[Photo at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog]

This year's Care For Your Area awards by the Council were presented at an event in the Swallow Hotel, Stockton.  While we were all assembling, we were entertained by the choir of Hartburn Primary School.

In the morning I handed certificates to school pupils for their achievements in the Northumbria in Bloom Painting Competition.  I had judged the entries from this Borough earlier in my mayoral year.  As someone with little artistic knowledge or ability, I had later been pleased to go to the regional event in Gateshead and see how many of my choices had been awarded place in the regional competition and were appearing in the 2009 calendar.  I had forgotten how good they were!  The winners of this Borough's competition were:

Group 1  *     up to 6 yrs - Daniel Wood, Whitehouse Primary School, Stockton, who had won the 2nd prize in this class in Northumbria in Bloom

Group 2  *     7 -8 yrs - Lily Mitchell-Nugent, Whitehouse Primary, Stockton

Group 3        9 - 10 yrs - Jessica McGowan - Whitehouse Primary, Stockton

Group 4        11 - 13 yrs Matthew Colquhoun-Lynn - All Saints CE School, Ingleby Barwick

Group 5        14 - 18 yrs - Meeral Haroon Siddiqui, St Michael's RC Secondary School, Billingham, who had won the 3rd prize in this class in Northumbria in Bloom

Group 6  *     Children with Special Needs up to 12 yrs - Jake Cross, Abbey Hill School, Stockton, who had won the 1^st prize in this class in Northumbria in Bloom

Group 7  *    Children with Special Needs up to 18 yrs - Jordan Duffield, Abbey Hill School, Stockton, who had won the 2nd prize in this class in Northumbria in Bloom

* = Appears in Northumbria in Bloom 2009 Calendar

After a two-course lunch, which went down well in both senses of the saying, I handed certificates for Community Awards and the Gardening Competition.  It is really heart-warming to see how much effort people are making to brighten up their communities.  I feel that the whole occasion was a success and a pleasure for all taking part.

The winners of the Community Awards were:

Best School contribution:     Christ the King RC Primary School, Thornaby.

Best Individual contribution:      Mr Stanley Edwards - St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ingleby Barwick.

Best Group contribution:            Village Park Residents Association, Thornaby.

Best Community contribution:   Mill Terrace, Thorpe Thewles, Lorraine Webster and Dennis Brown.

Best Environmental contribution:   HMP Holme House, Stockton

Best Conservation Project:            Stainsby Wood Residents Association

Best Business contribution:        Wellington Square Shopping Parade, Stockton, which had attained a silver-gilt award in Northumbria in Bloom

The winners of the Gardening Competition were:

Best Front of Public House:           Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe

Best Business Garden:                   Hadrian Park Care Home, Billingham

Best Neighbourhood Garden Project  Mrs Dresser - Liverton Crescent, Wolviston       

Best Pensioner Garden:                Mr & Mrs Taylor, Carlton Close, Stockton

Best Garden:                                  Mr Shield, Richardson Road, Thornaby

Later in the afternoon we were invited by Billingham Town Council to their Christmas Event in John Whitehead Park.  Unfortunately, the frost and snow of the last few days had turned to cold, heavy rain.  Music was provided by Northfield School, after which Billingham resident Mrs Mary Butterwick OBE, an honorary freeman of this Borough, switched on the lights on the Christmas tree.   The Butterwick Hospice, which she founded, is the Chairman of Billingham Town Council's nominated charity.

The evening's engagement was indoors - the Civic Community Carol Concert of Stockton Salvation Army.  In addition to the Stockton Citadel Band, we had songs from Glebe Primary School Choir, harp and vocal solos from Anita & Charlotte Aslin and Stockton Timbrels.  The compère (Mr Keith Proud, a Northern Echo columnist) persuaded the Mayoress to join in with the Stockton Timbrels.  I gave an address, launching the Christmas appeal for the needy, between addresses from the Commanding Officers, Majors Nigel & Kim Gotobed.  An enjoyable evening, which has become a traditional fixture in the Stockton calendar.

[Photos at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog]

Some time ago I went to a display of entries by schoolchildren, so that I could vote for the paintings which would illustrate the 12 months of the Community Calendar 2009 which will be distributed to 21,000 households which live near to chemical, power and steel industries on Teesside, by a consortium of the companies involved, plus statutory bodies, including Stockton Council.  The Calendar includes information about planned testing of alarms, plus what to do if they go off at any other time.  The theme for 2009 is "Healthy Living and Eating".

This afternoon was the announcement of the winners, with presentations to all the competitors.  This happened in the Legends Suite of Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium, compered by Mr Phil Bailey, Site Manager of Lucite International, with Middlesbrough FC defender David Wheater making the presentations - in the presence of his grandfather, whose 75^th birthday was today.

The schools able to take part were those within roughly half a mile of the industries, which in this Borough meant parts of Billingham.  Billingham schools taking part were Billingham South, High Clarence, Pentland and St Joseph's RC Primary Schools and Billingham Campus and St Michael's RC (secondary) Schools.  The following appear on the pages for:

• January - Jennifer Pitt - aged 15 - St Michael's
• February - Jacob Clark - aged 13 - Billingham Campus
• March - Jack Boothby - aged 14 - St Michael's
• April - Lauren Garbutt - aged 13 - Billingham Campus
• July - Eve Baker - aged 12 - St Michael's
• November - Jake Howard - aged 8 - Billingham S

The overall winner, whose design is also the front cover, was Eve Baker.

Well done, Billingham!

[Photo at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog]

Together with the Mayor & Mayoress of Durham and a number of other civic heads we attended the 12^th service of lessons and carols for all those engaged in the National Health Service, organised by NHS County Durham.  In the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral's nave we enjoyed a voluntary choir (brought together for this occasion) and readings - some familiar ones from the Bible and others we had not heard before.  As I sat there listening to the 2000-year-old story, I thought, "There has been a cathedral on this site for half that time and the present building for 900 of the 2000 years." 

Locally the oldest Brownie pack are the 2^nd Stockton, who invited me tonight to the 90^th anniversary of their formation.  Having over the years met in Methodist buildings which have since closed, and having taken under their wing the 7^th Stockton brownies, they now meet at St Paul's-with-Newtown-Methodist Church, an Anglican-Methodist Local Ecumenical Project.

The evening started with a play performed by the Brownies.  We had a short talk by Miss Allen, who, amazingly, was enrolled into 2^nd Stockton Brownies in 1928.  A display of old Brownie uniforms and old Brownie games followed, then a talk from Mrs Sue Southeran, the County Commissioner of Girlguiding Cleveland, and the cutting by Mrs Avril Scott, originally a 7^th Stockton Brownie, of the cake which she had made.  The decoration included the different versions of the Promise Badge in use over the years.

It was good to see not only the work currently being done with young girls but also the number of old members who had turned out for the event on a cold night, several of them still helping with Girlguiding.

[Photos will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog in the next few days.]