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LiFE Graduation Friday 22nd December

8 young people graduate today

The young people are put through their paces, they are to rescue a person from a burning building

Some good work with the hose

A few words from the Mayor of Sutton.

Another very interesting graduation.  The young people have to work hard for the week for their certificates.

Kingston Pensioners' Forum Thursday 21st December, 2006

 Myself with the Chair , Doug Reynolds, waiting for our Christmas lunch.

We are joined by Max and Marge

A great time was had by all, the meal was very good and the company, fun.  I had the embarrassing experience of pulling out my own draw ticket and won the first prize!

I wish the Pensioners' Forum best wishes for 2007.

Senior Citizens' Party Guildhall Friday 15th December 2006

There is no doubt the party is very popular with the residents.

Here are some residents from the Pensioners' Forum, a very successful organisation.

More members of the Pensioners' Forum with Harry, the Mace Bearer.

The Korean Dancer was part of the entertainment, and did a beautiful Korean  fan dance, full of colour.

The Kingston Choral Society sang and the audience joined in some well known carols.  The Choir finished with 'We wish you a Merry Christmas'

Thanks has to be extended to all the staff who worked extremely hard to organise the party.

Fulham v Middlesbrough Craven Cottage 18th March 2006

Graham and I were the guests of Gary Mulcahey and George Cohen.  Gary runs the Positive Futures programme on the Cambridge Estate, and Goerge Cohen was one the team which won the 1966 World Cup.  We had a great meal before the match.

The match is ready to start.  At interval time we retired for Cheese and Biscuits with coffee. After the match, more coffee and sandwiches - if required!  I bet on Fulham to win - and won £5!

 

Wine & Mince Pies for Staff Mayor's Parlour Tuesday 19th December 2006

An unexpected guest - a lovely littled dog, her job is to help deaf people.  A large number of staff came to the Mayor's Parlour for their Christmas mince pies from the Mayor.  It was a very pleasant occasion.

Kingston Choral Society Christmas Carol Service Kingston Parish Church 16th Deember 2006

  

We had a lovely evening listening to excerpts from Handel's Messiah and traditional carols.  The Mayor, Cllr Mary Reid is a member of the choir.

Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

Surbiton Recorded Music Society An evening of Operetta Friday 15th December, 2006

This was a most interesting evening of recorded music.  The music was mainly from Vienna and Austria.  There were pieces by Johann Strauss II, Franz von Suppe , Franz Lehar and other famous Viennese composers.  The reproduction was incredible, the sound was as if you were in the Festival Hall.

We were treated very hospitably and were looked after extremely well, even though David had a bad cold! 

 

Visit to Dysart School Monday 11th December 2006

After being entertained with some very jolly festive songs I had a nice chat to Jamie and his mother.  His teacher is just behind.  The staff are much admired and appreciated by the parents, we all give thanks for their hard work. 

Happy Christmas Dysart

Reception City Hall Monday 11th December 2006

I spent a most interesting evening meeting up with other councillors I had met when attending meetings as Leader.  In particular it was good to see Catherine West from Islington again.  It was also good to have a chat with Harriet Harman who possibly going to stand for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Visit to Milaap and Murray House Wednesday 13th December 2006

The Mayor and I had a very pleasant time at Milaap and Murray House

We were entertained in a multi-cultural way, guess which is Jesus?

This doggie was playing Santa in Murray House! She is a favourite with the residents.

Best wishes to all in the New Year.

 

Pied Piper Club's Gala Event Kingsmeadow Sunday 10th December, 2006.

A great time was had by all at the Pied Piper Chrstmas Party, and Doreen, Denise and Carl can contratulate themselves for all their efforts.

Very hard work was put in by Gill and Doreen to make it a success, I am sure I speak for all when I say a 'Big Thnk You'

The draw.  On the stage is Charlie Farley, the man who made sure the children had a great time.  He kept them active for about 3 hours, dancing, singing, doing hoola hoops and all sorts of other activities.  Thanks Charlie!

LRH Homes Christmas Party Langley Avenue Saturday 9th December

I was met by the Administrator, Mrs Mary Anne Maclellan, and the Matron of one of the homes for elderly people

A gift for the Mayor's Charity, the Mayor will be pleased.

I spent a most enjoyable afternoon.  I wish all the hard working staff and residents a very Happy Christmas.

 

 

Lighting the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square 7th December, 2006

We had a very good evening at the lighting of the tree in Trafalgar Square

We met mayors and their families from Newham and Greenwich in the reception held in the Crypt of St Martin's in the Fields Church.

The event was led by the Lord Mayor of Westminster

The Tree was lit by the Crown Prince, Crown Princess of Norway and their children.  The tree is given to us by the people of Norway in commemoration of the help Britain gave to Norway during the Second World War

I watched the ceremony with David and the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Marie West.

 

Surrey County Council Reception 5th December, 2006. County Hall, Kingston upon Thames

David and I were very pleased to attend the Chairman's Christmas Reception

 

We were entertained by the Surrey County Youth Theatre

It was good to meet up with a number of Surrey mayors etc.

Jews in Britain Guildhall 6th December 2006.

There was a very large crowd in the Guildhall to listen to a most interesting and enlightening lecture given by Rabbi Danny Rich JP

Danny held everyone's attention with his informative lecture, highlighted by his sense of humour.  Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Britain's Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of York unveiling a plaque in 1978, at the foot of Clifford's Tower, recording the massacre of the Jewsof York in 1190

Citizenship Ceremony Saturday 2nd December 2006

This was David's first Citizenship Ceremony, and he delivers the post to Sabur Hassan and Ban Hussain as they live on his delivery round.

Youth Parliament Results Monday 4th December

Winner                     Paul Kenny                    949 votes

Second                     David Thompson            715 votes.

 Congratulations, and a big thanks to all who took part.  I look forward to our next meeting.

Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators Friday 1st December 2006

Another interesting evening David and I attended on behalf of the Mayor

The reception was held at the Windmill Enclosure

David and I were met by The Clerk and Ranger, Chief Executive, Gordon Vincent and his wife.

With Geoff and Cllr David T Williams, Leader of Merton Council.

The earliest history of Wimbledon Common and Putney Lower Common dates back to the paleolithic and barrows have been discovered. Common land was owned by the Lord of the Manor and  his tenants, known as commoners were granted common rights to graze animals and collect firewood. 

On 11th November, 1864, Earl Spencer, Lord of the Manor of Wimbledon, called a meeting of local residents and told them he was to present a Bill to Parliament to enclose 700 acres of Common Land.  Fortunately the Bill was delayed by a Select Committee who were enquiring about open spaces in London.  A Wimbledon Common Committee was later set up under the chairmanship of Sir Henry Peek Bt., MP for Mid-Surrey.

Under the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act, 1871 the Commons are administered by a Board of eight Conservators, five of whom are elected by local levy payers who live within the old parish of Putney and the other three being appointed by Government Ministers.  The Chair is elected annually.

There is an annual budget of about £1m.  Two thirds come from Commons levy collected by the three Local Authories, Kingston, Merton and Wandsworth Borough Councils, paid by tax payers in the levy area.

 

Royal Borough of Kingston Cadet Partnership Mess Dinner Saturday 2nd December 2006

 

David and I are very lucky to be attending this function on behalf of the Mayor.

Sgt Nick Gregory with myself and the TA cadet leader

David, myself and Sue Harris, Acting Commander of the Royal Borough.

The Partnership was started by Sgt Gregory and encompasses the Police Cadets, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets, Marine Cadets, Air Training Corps, Combined Cadets and the Territorial Army and provides diversionary activities and good citizen training for 350 young people.  They take part in many parades, including the Remembrance Day and the Crown Court Service.  We all have to thank the hard work by Sgt Gregory and others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Service for the first year of Street Pastors 30th November 2006

It was a privilege to be invited to celebrate the first year of th Street Pastors in Kingston

Myself and David with Rev Les Isaacs and Marion Todd.  Rev Isaacs gave a most stimulating Sermon.  The service was held in All Saints Church.

The Street Pastors are on the streets of Kingston on Friday and Saturday nights to help people return to their homes safely.  They are very dedicated and do a wonderful service to the community.

These are some of the Street Pastors.  Best wishes to their future efforts.

Thanksgiving Service for the first year of Street Pastors 30th November 2006

It was a privilege to be invited to celebrate the first year of th Street Pastors in Kingston

Myself and David with Rev Les Isaacs and Marion Todd.  Rev Isaacs gave a most stimulating Sermon.  The service was held in All Saints Church.

The Street Pastors are on the streets of Kingston on Friday and Saturday nights to help people return to their homes safely.  They are very dedicated and do a wonderful service to the community.

These are some of the Street Pastors.  Best wishes to their future efforts.