2nd January
The Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Dance was a great success with Sedgefield’s own Supergroup, ‘Mamma Said’, leading the way. They are a top, local group and lovely people too.
I’m indebted to the small band of helpers who helped me to set up during the afternoon: Walter, Rosemary, Judith, Adam, Tony and Sarah and, of course, Mayor’s Consort Annette. In addition, Elaine and Joyce assisted the Mayor with the games during the evening. (The bar sold out of beer and lager by just after 10 o’clock but the Mayor was able to acquire extra stock for the rest of the evening within 20 minutes, in spite of the local outlets being closed, thanks to his daughter Ciaran.)
8th January
The Mayor spent a very useful couple of hours working with the Woodland and Wildlife Group’s Christmas Tree Collection, accepting trees from people and dragging them down to the site, where ‘dead hedges’ were being constructed by Melissa and the team, creating habitats for various small creatures. A successful morning’s teamwork ensued, putting the recycled Christmas trees to good use, including a dozen or so brought along in a horse box by Helen and the Young Farmers!
12th January
The Mayor and Consort were delighted to attend Spennymoor Stage and Song’s presentation of Cinderella in the Town Hall. It was lovely to see last year’s Spennymoor Mayor, Dean Ranyard, strutting his stuff on stage again and quite a few friends connected with the Mayor’s time at Ferryhill Stage Society appearing in various roles. It was a really funny pantomime with lots of one liners throughout, some top rate dancing and singing and some really good acting. Congratulations on a great show!
19th January
The Mayor and Consort were pleased to attend Friday’s Coffee Morning, this one arranged by The Friends of St Edmund’s Church. Plenty of cakes, jams, raffle prizes and hot drinks were on offer to cheer up a cold, January day. It’s the Mayor’s turn next Friday- he hopes to see you there!
19th January
The Mayor and Consort were pleased to pay a visit to North Biddick Social Club, Washington to support the Sunderland Mayor, Dorothy Trueman’s Charity Race Night. It was an enjoyable night, even though the winnings were minimal.
26th January
Another successful Coffee Morning in the Parish Hall. My grateful thanks to my baking team of Marjorie, Margaret, Dessa, Penny, Audrey, Ciaran, Judith and Sue for making and/or serving the refreshments, Gill and Chris the raffle queens, Karina for selling the football teams, Connie and Lorna on the door, Consort Annette and Joyce for setting up, helping throughout and clearing up, the WI for the loan of tablecloths and table settings and all those who donated prizes and/or came along. Special thanks to the entourage from last year’s Hartlepool Mayoral team for coming along to support me. Always good to see Nichola Ann Jones Cards and Gifts there too.
26th January
The Mayor and Consort spent a lovely evening in Seaham Town Hall for the Mayor’s Brass Bash, starring local band Trimdon Brass, who have some excellent solo players. The interval meal of Broth and Dumplings followed by Panackelty went down well and winning 2 raffle prizes was the icing on the cake. A great deal of mining memorabilia was on display. Thanks go to Mayor Jennifer Bell for organising the event. Seeing former Mayor Susan Morrison was another bonus.
27th January
The Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships were held in East Park Sedgefield for the first time and what a great success it was. Athletes in various age classes from all over the Northern Region participated in friendly competition. It was an absolute pleasure for the Mayor and Consort to be asked to present some of the medals and Chairman Tony Wood was a great host all day. The Mayor and Consort were able to spend time with fellow guests MP Paul Howell, Cllr Chris Lines, Cllr Mel Carr and Durham County Council Chair Councillor Joan Nicholson and her Consort.