Week 6 - 18/24 June
The week started with the launch of an appeal .........
Mayor's Blog - Week 6 - 18th to 24th June 2008
The week started with the launch of an appeal to effect the restoration of the beautiful murals painted by Anna Lea Merritt on the walls of St Martin's Church in Blackheath. Olive Maggs gave a most interesting talk on the life of the artist and I would recommend a visit soon to see just why the pictures are worth restoration (the church closes in September for work to commence).
On Wednesday I presented plaques to the winners of the Best Village in Waverley (Tilford) and the Best Beauty Spot in Waverley (The Devil's Punchbowl). The plaques were awarded following an on-line vote by the residents of Waverley in a "Making Waves" competition. Videos of the presentation ceremonies can be found on the Waverley Website. (There is no truth in the rumour that I spent all night voting on the computer just because I represent Tilford on the Council and live on the edge of the Punchbowl!)
On Thursday I opened an "Antiques Roadshow" event in support of the Cranleigh Lions run in the offices of the Estate Agent Burns & Webber. Just for fun I took along a Coffee Pot and Water Jug set for valuation. I have had the set for several years and thought it to be a 1950s imitation of Georgian silver worth about £50. It turned out to be the real thing dated 1916 and worth about £200 to £300. The picture shows members of the staff of Burns & Webber and the 2 valuers surrounding a rather stunned Mayor.
I spent much time this week attending events involving children of all ages.
On Thursday I helped judge a Young Chefs competition at Rodborough School. Teams from several schools in the Borough took part and many of the menus were worthy of a place in an up-market restaurant. All the judges were amazed at the level of professionalism and agreed that TV's "Masterchef" would have high quality contenders for many years to come.
On Saturday the Mayoress and I visited the Surrey Youth Games at the Varsity Centre in Guildford. It was amazing to see so many children taking part in a vast array of activities with so much enthusiasm. Although the Waverley team did not win overall, there were many individual successes and everyone was having great fun, despite the unpredictable weather.
On Sunday I helped launch the Waverley Youth Day which is part of the borough's drive to get young people active. A wide range of activities were available to be sampled, ranging from theatrical make-up classes to wall climbing and "Bronco" riding.
On Tuesday I attended a presentation of degrees and awards ceremony at Guildford Cathedral for the students of the University College of the Creative Arts (UCCA). It was a proud day for hundreds of students and parents, though I suspect that many mothers had their hearts in their mouths as their daughters mounted the steps in the cathedral tottering on 6-inch or more, high-heeled shoes! Over lunch, the Rector, Professor Elaine Thomas, told me how proud she was that the College is to be awarded full university status in September, allowing it to award its own degrees. This will give the new University of the Creative Arts (UCA) a huge boost onto the world stage in attracting overseas students and investment. More importantly for the local community, Farnham will become a "University Town".
My own Civic Service was held at the Parish Church of St Andrew's in Farnham on Sunday afternoon. Many family members, friends and colleagues came and supported me as I asked for God's blessing on my year as Mayor.
The week ended with a visit to Wisley Gardens to celebrate 60 years of the Surrey Federation of Women's Institutes. Thousands of WI members from all over the country came to picnic and view the 150 or so scarecrows that had been assembled by the various clubs. (They were an eclectic bunch of scarecrows, most of whom had a split personality; one half in 1948 the other in 2008. Quite a number scared the daylights out of the visitors, let alone the crows!) Nevertheless, the gardens were the perfect venue for an evening stroll, and the Mayoress and I met and chatted with many WI members, including a large number from Waverley.
If you would like to know more about any of these events please look at the Waverley Website at www.waverley.gov.uk where there are links to most of the organisations mentioned, or contact me by email at mayorofwaverley@waverley.gov.uk.