Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

The Councillors Commission report was being discussed at a meeting this morning, and we were being asked to look at what ways our Council wanted to go forward in encouraging more people to stand for the Council and getting young people genuinely involved in the democratic process.  Lots of ideas around support for Councillors, problems of getting time off work, and how do we really get young people involved and not just make some token appointments and involve a few.  There is a meeting on Friday morning with Dame Jane Roberts herself and I would be interested to hear the views of anyone reading this blog on how to go forward - please do let me know wherever you live.

The Citizenship Ceremony followed.  When I was Mayor I did love taking this ceremony, and today, when I was accompanying John, it was no exception for being a wonderful blend of dignity and joy.  One little boy was excited that there was a picture of the Queen up.  I talked about her role in British Citizenship  and I noticed that he stood proudly for the National Anthem.

The nearest I got to exercise today was walking to and from the bus (3^rd time this week - Mayoresses don't get driven everywhere!) and my pilates instruction (I am improving I think), so I felt a bit of a fraud at the Club and Coach awards, accompanying John.

It is good to see the coaches who do not reach the limelight but are so important be feted and awarded.  It was a great pleasure to meet Alma Collin who is now 85, has been doing swimming coaching for 60 years, and worked with people in the baths since she was 13.  She told me how she had taught our soldiers to swim in 1939 before they went to war.  What a record, what a woman.  She wanted this photo taking so she could send it to here friend, a Mayor in Italy whose family hid her husband when he was a POW in the last war.  I hope he enjoys seeing her in this setting.

The speaker tonight was Julie Anderson, international coaching consultant.  One thing she said stuck in my mind.  "If you don't stretch yourself you won't get anywhere".  Quite a theme for the day - and I did wonder that if we had had "coaching" in sport at school rather than what we did (not) get, would we be fitter now ?  However must practice my pilates now!