21 February 2018 – Mayor’s Announcements (You can scroll to the bottom of the page to listen to a recording of this announcement)
The Mayor has had a busy few months since the last Council meeting, fulfilling many engagements, and attending fundraising events for her two chosen charities, Embrace, and Rebourne Corner.
On the weekend of 18th and 19th November, The Society of Eastbourne Artists (SEA) held an Exhibition and Sale of Paintings at the Town Hall in aid of the Mayor’s Charities. The Mayor’s Charity volunteers provided refreshments for exhibitors and visitors, helping to raise extra funds in addition to those donated by the Society. SEA will be holding their next exhibition at the Town Hall over the bank holiday weekend of 5th, 6th and 7th May.
Several teams of swimmers took part in the Eastbourne Lions’ annual Swimathon on the 18th November. Eastbourne Swimming Club, The Otters and Eastbourne Salvation Army all helped to raise money for the Mayor’s Charities. The Mayor is looking forward to attending the cheque presentation on 27th February, and congratulating the teams.
Special thanks to Don McPhee and the tireless members of the Mayor’s Charity Committee for arranging an excellent evening of Christmas entertainment – a sell out at Willingdon Golf Club on 23rd December. “Fun and Fundraising” was the motto for the evening.
The Mayor was pleased to attend a number of Christmas concerts and Festive events during December. She and her Consort spent Christmas Day itself visiting Eastbourne Rotary’s ‘Alone at Christmas’ lunch, Eastbourne DGH, Eastbourne Fire & Rescue and the Police in Hammonds Drive. They were delighted to meet up with those people who were working over Christmas, or who would otherwise have spent Christmas Day on their own.
The first Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night of the new year took place on 19th January, and was the best attended yet, with well over 100 participants. Congratulations go to Cllr Swansborough and his team who were the evening’s victors. For those wishing to seek revenge, the next quiz night will take place on 20th April.
Sussex Schools’ ‘Rock Challenge’ took place at the Hawth in Crawley on 31St January, and the Mayor was pleased to attend, as a guest of the local Mayor, to support the Eastbourne schools. She was delighted to be asked to hand out certificates and especially proud when congratulating the winning team, the Eastbourne Academy – from her own ward of Hampden Park.
On 9th February, the Mayor hosted a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for the talented students of the ABF Catering School, from Treviglio in northern Italy. The students have recently completed a project on British food and hospitality, and are developing their skills through work experience in many of Eastbourne’s restaurants. The Mayor and students exchanged gifts, including a handwritten letter from the Mayor of Treviglio.
The Mayor will be very busy with a number of engagements and fundraising events over the next couple of months, including a bingo night on 23rd February, an Open Mic Night showcasing local talent on the 4th March, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the West Rocks Hotel on 10th March, and a Sixties Night at the Underground Theatre on 6th April. Tickets for the tea party and sixties night can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre, and the Mayor thanks the Centre for its support in publicising these events.
The Mayor is very conscious of 2018 being the centenary of the Representation of the Peoples’ Act, when for the first time working men and the very first women of this country gained the vote. To mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, Eastbourne Soroptimists have organised a Conference, taking place at the Town Hall in support of the Mayor’s Charities. The day promises to be a fascinating and informative event, with a number of high profile speakers tackling issues such as human trafficking, girls’ education and women in leadership.
And finally, invitations will soon be sent for the Mayor’s Civic Service on 15th April, which will take place at the Parish Church of St. Mary’s, Old Town. The Mayor looks forward to welcoming all comers to this special and inclusive event.
For further information about any of the Mayor’s events or engagements, please contact the Mayor’s Office at Eastbourne Borough Council.