Services A-Z
6th June 2024
Busy week! Town Council meeting on Tuesday when we co-opted 7 new councillors to start a process to increase the number of councillors. Thursday was D-Day: acted in Wimborne Community Theatre’s D-Day play at five venues round the town and also a moving performance at Streets Meadow where the residents joined in, ‘We’ll Meet Again’. Presented prizes and certificates to four D-Day poetry competition winners (from over 200 entries). The winners read their poems aloud at Willow Walk – splendid! Then onto a Service at the Minster to remember the fallen – grave but inspirational and a great address by the Associate Priest. The Town then walked in homage from Willow Walk to the Cemetery, led by the Marching Band. There, we heard poetry from the Town Crier and I read aloud the ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ homily. The Militia fired cannons and the Fire Service lit a beacon – wonderful commemorative acts attended by several hundred Wimborne people. Saturday was Folk Festival Weekend – led the parade through the town with the Militia and Town Crier and the Mayoress – huge crowds enjoying the fortunate sunny weather. What a week for the town!
27th May 2024
Well, this week saw the Mayor- Making on Tuesday at the Town Hall. It was quite splendid – Militia drumming and marching; Mayoral robing; civic dignitaries attending; refreshments welcomed afterwards! I spoke and (as usual) said 3 things: thanks to all; Mayor’s charities – Victoria Hospital and Plane Wimborne and how I intended to raise funds ; what a good place the Council is in with many positive features. The Militia then marched me along West Borough to The King’s Head so I could buy the soldiers a beer and seal their allegiance.
On Saturday, I attended the D-Day Commemoration at Tarrant Rushton Airfield…many important dignitaries and a sombre but positive feeling at the ceremony
20th May 2024
What an amazing weekend for Wimborne Minster! The Battle for Wimborne was re-enacted by the English Civil War Society on 25-27 May 2024 with spectacular battles, living history, military parades and exhibitions. I was asked to welcome the troops and inspect them on the Minster Green. It all seemed to go well until I announced we would pay the troops in guineas but they thought I had said ‘Guinness’ and demanded ale from the town! I also opened a new shop – Thirty-Three – on the High Street in chains and robe. They were surprised but delighted and quickly posted the opening on social media. I am grateful to Antony Oliver for dragging me into the shop!
14th May 2024
Delighted to have been elected Mayor of Wimborne Minster! We have much to do: co-opt and then elect 8 further councillors; start to deliver the new 5-year Strategic Plan; raise funds for the Mayor’s two charities (Victoria Hospital and Planet Wimborne); Support the residents, visitors and people who work here.
Attended the first Mayoral event at Allendale House – to welcome 75 French folk from our twin town, Valognes. We presented them with a lovely pottery vase and they gave Wimborne Minster an innovative metal silhouette of Valognes. The Marching Band concluded a successful morning. There was an evening meal at a local golf club and the Town Clerk kindly represented the town.