Mayor’s Blog 164
4 May – Ukrainian Door
Almost my last event as Mayor for 2024-5, was the event to welcome the Ukrainian Door, an actual door from a bombed home in Ukraine which has been lent to Bridport for a while and set up in the garden of the Chapel in the Garden in East Street. I hadn’t realised how important doors are to Ukrainians – they are so much part of their culture of ‘home’. It was a very moving experience and I was so pleased to have been invited to share it.
I have shared here a post on Facebook from Fiona Aucott:
“The Ukrainian Door sculpture in the Chapel in the Garden in Bridport has been a poignant reminder of those Ukrainians who are still living in the UK after losing their homes. I was honoured to be able to help with the PR to spread awareness and appreciate the mention below.”
‘The Ukrainian Door will be sited in Dorchester, Southampton and Beaulieu, National Motor Museum. If you are in any of those locations do see it and think about refugees around the world.’
Comment from the sculptor Robert Marshall – Artlab Studio: (also from Facebook)
“The Mayor of Bridport visited The Unitarian Chapel in the Garden – Bridport for the May Day Sunday service conducted by Rev. Elizabeth Harley. The service was also a dedication of the Ukrainian Door that is now on show in their gardens for the month of May. During the service I got to talk about my work along with Olya Patuita, a resident Ukrainian refugee.
8 May 2025 – VE Day plus Mayor-making ceremony
We started off in the morning with our VE Day 80 Proclamation. I joined Will (Clerk), Ian (Leader) and John (Town Crier) in delivering the proclamation. Several of our staff helped to make this a success, and we were pleased that the community and faith organisations joined us.
Hot-foot from Bucky Doo I hurried to the British Legion Hall where there was a fabulous display of 1940s memorabilia, brought in by local collectors. We were treated to talks from residents who were children at the time. A really lovely way to show what an important day that was.
Still 8 May – Mayor-making
A brief re-group, and we were on to our special but official council meeting, mainly for the business of ‘Mayor-making’ – the business of election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Leader for the forthcoming year.
All proudly dressed up in our robes…including the Town Clerk in his wig and gown, the macebearers also robed up and of course me in my Mayor’s red robe (we do ‘circumstance’ but not a lot of ‘pomp’) our Town Crier called everyone to “Be upstanding for the Mayor” and business commenced.
After the basic council business was concluded, we moved on to the proposals, seconders and voting for the posts of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Leader. After all the ensuing outgoing and incoming speeches, and signing of declarations, our formal business was complete.
So, honoured to be elected to serve again as Mayor for 2025/6, here I am!
We always include invited guests to be witness to the ceremony and there follows a time for everyone to mix for a chat over refreshments.
All this is very ably organised by officers and all staff, who pull all this together and it runs so smoothly. What a team they are, and they deserve a huge vote of very grateful thanks.
17th May – Bridport Community Charter Fair
This was my first official event as Mayor for 2025-6. I was asked to officially open it and to present two awards – the ‘Over and Above’ to the late Tanya Bruce-Lockhart, for her dedication to Bridport Literary Festival for so many years. This was accepted by her son Jamie on her behalf. The Charter Fair Trophy, went to the team at Footeprints The Charter Fair Trophy, the event’s other prestigious award, is for the team at the photo and printing shop Footeprints, under the leadership of Jason Foote. It was the company’s generous and thoughtful support of so many local events and community organisations – including, over many years, the Charter Fair – which has been gratefully recognised.
We were treated to some wonderful Maypole Dancing and I was also asked to crown the May Queen! Visit Bridport Town Council’s page on Facebook for some photos.
22nd May – Bridport Museum’s 93rd birthday celebration
This was an entertaining afternoon. The Chair of the Museum Trust, Emma Squire enlightened us with the plans for the future development of the Museum, over the next few years as we run up to our 100th birthday in 2032. Ex-Town Councillor Professor Karen Hunt gave an excellent talk, enhanced with slides, taking us back to where and how the museum all began, all those years ago. Another two ex Town Councillors (and these both ex Mayors too), Sandra Brown and Geoff Ackerman were present, both of whom have contributed greatly to the Museum over the years. Sandra took the floor and spoke about times gone by and all the people involved along the way. She and Geoff were awarded special tributes.
All this and cream teas too! Thanks Bridport Museum.
24th May – Bridport Dance Festival
Bridport’s first Dance Festival! What a show it was – dancing all over Bridport.
On the Saturday evening we were invited to the amazing show of dance at the Electric Palace which engaged members of our community of all ages – yes, really! So many forms of dance to enjoy too, and very professionally put together.
Find out who was at the helm – go to https://www.bridportdancefestival.org.uk/ where there is lots of information and perhaps get yourself involved. I don’t have any ‘stills’ to post here, but do go to “Bridport Dance Festival” on Facebook and feast yourself on some of the festival’s activities – if you didn’t join in this year, you will certainly want to next time around. I think it’s going to be BIG.
