Mayor’s Blog 173

First off for this month was the most wonderful performance from our very own Bridport Pantomime Players of Jack and the Beanstalk, and what a treat this was.  Every aspect of this was so professionally done, and we all felt it belonged on a West End stage.  We are so fortunate to have these talented people in our midst and those who train them up and manage the whole thing are so professional.  So much time is given to training, rehearsal, costume-making, scenery making, lights, sound…it just goes on.  The dedication is mind-blowing, not only from the performers, some of whom are really quite young, but the whole amazing team.

A HUGE thank you to all involved – we are looking forward to next year’s performance……oh yes we are!

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7^th February – Seed Library

 I was invited to open Bridport’s new Seed Library – which is located in our library in South Street.  The invitation to all is to bring seeds to share with others – to nurture the skills of growing nutritious and fresh local food and to share seeds between everyone.

This is totally free to take part in.  Seeds can be donated at any time and will be put into labelled envelopes – just drop in and perhaps take away other seeds you’d like to use for yourself

What a fabulous idea – another first for Bridport.

 20^th February – Rotary Dinner at Bridport Golf Club

 This was a formal dinner (dinner jackets and bow-ties at the ready), and Bridport Rotary Club generously invited us to join them for their Annual Dinner held this year at Bridport Golf Club.  They are a very friendly crowd, all working hard to raise funds for various organisations, enabling them to really make a difference.

We were treated to a lovely meal, with a very clever and entertaining magician performing throughout the evening.

 Find out more about them here: (11) Facebook

24^th February – Dorset Council Civic Day

 Wow – this was a busy day – most enjoyable too.   Invitees (mostly Mayors of Dorset towns, plus the High Sheriff) were informed on so many aspects of what Dorset Council’s work entails.

After opening greetings and refreshments, we were taken to their Council Chamber for a talk from the Chief Executive on Dorset Council’s aims and objectives with a Q&A included.

Next we were ushered to the Dorset History Centre.  We were treated to a talk with slides on our various Dorset towns’ Charters and Seals, followed by either a tour of the Centre or a talk on the letters of the Thomas Hardy Archive.  Dave & I chose the Hardy letters as we’d had a tour last year.  Fascinating is the only way to describe all this, and the care with which all the archives is kept is amazing.  I recommend a visit if you haven’t yet been there.

Then it was back to County Hall for a buffet lunch in the Members’ Room, during which we were given a presentation and talk on the Roman Town House’s history, followed afterwards by a tour of the Roman Town House.

Next we made our way to the County Hall Court.  This isn’t used as a Court any longer but we were ushered into it and took our places – Callum Bremner (High Sheriff of Dorset) was asked to take the position of Judge, some of us were ‘Jurors’ and we had prosecution and defence ‘lawyers’ and everyone else was in the ‘public gallery’.  This whole affair was scripted – there were witnesses too, but we Jurors had to make our decision…the whole thing was very entertaining – and light-hearted – a very entertaining session!

To finish the day, we were then ushered from the old courtroom to the Council Chamber where a very real ceremony was held.  It was a pleasure to be present.  This was a Citizenship Ceremony, conducted by Callum Bremner JP and Cllr Stella Jones MBE and Chair of Dorset Council.  Several newly-accepted citizens to the UK were receiving their certificates of citizenship – very important for them.

Hopefully there will be a few photos to follow.

27^th February – Daryl’s Award from the High Sheriff

 I nominated Daryl for an award from the High Sheriff of Dorset, Mr Callum Bremner, for his services to our community.  I was delighted that my nomination was accepted and we made the presentation to Daryl, who was shocked as we’d asked all the invitees to keep it a secret from him – his wife and family, BTC staff, present and past, and many other people from the town who have worked closely with him over the years.  Hats off to them for keeping ‘Mum’.

Knowing he doesn’t take praise easily, (sometimes we have to force it upon him!) I concocted a little ‘ruse’ together with Callum, who was so kind and really up for it, so things could be arranged.  Daryl was clearly shocked when he arrived at the Town Hall, but he accepted the situation quickly and although he was quite emotional, he received his well-deserved award with grace.

This was a very special day for all of us to see him honoured this way.

 

 28^th February – Mayor’s Charity Quiz – to raise money for my charity for this year – Bridport ASCape. 

 This was held at the Town Hall.  My thanks must go to my capable ‘Consort’ my husband Cllr Dave Rickard, who ably and kindly wrote and presented the quiz – and we had a great evening with several teams vying for the top spot.

Jill Beed’s husband Mark again agreed to present the scores electronically and the evening went off well.  At the point of writing I have no idea how much money we made for ASCape but we had a huge number of raffle prizes, generously-gifted by local businesses and friends and we sold a huge number of raffle tickets too.  We continued to ‘fleece’ the quizzers not only for entry and raffle tickets, but an extra 4-round supplementary quiz (True or False) for those who wished to take part.  We do thank all our quizzers for their generosity.

We awarded prizes of course at every stage – for the winning team, for the best-dressed table and each game of True or False.

My heartiest thanks go (as ever) to the wonderful BTC team:  Jill Beed, her husband Mark, Paul Violet, Terri Foxwell, and of course our wonderful BTC staff who set up the hall and will tidy up for us afterwards.  We are spoilt!