Friday 7th July
A large crowd of dignitaries from last year and this year, plus a host of villagers attended the Mayor’s Coffee Morning in the Parish Hall. Excited chatter filled the hall and a total of over £576 was raised for the Mayor’s chosen charities. It was lovely for people to have the opportunity to mingle with friends in an informal gathering.
Sunday 16th July
The Mayor and Consort were invited to the Twinning Association’s ‘Strawberries and Fizz’ event in Ceddesfeld Hall on Sunday. A very pleasant afternoon was spent in their company, including taking part in a Hamminkeln-themed quiz. It was lovely to catch up on the group’s news once more.
Tuesday 18th July
The Mayor and Consort visited the Memory Café Coffee Morning in the Methodist Church Hall. Musical performances were given by the Hardwick School Choir and the Sedgefield Handbell Ringers and the audience members were invited to sing along. The coffee and cakes were delicious too.
Friday 21st July
What a marvellous celebration we had as guests of Shildon Mayor Shirley Quinn today. The occasion was 50 years since the Shildon Civic Hall opened its doors. Special guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Flynn MBE, Piper Frank Bonner, the very first couple to be married and hold their party in the building, a Church representative and a whole host of Civic Dignitaries from the North East. There was also a fine display of stained glass windows and ‘proddy mats’ made by a community group based in Eldon Lane. The cutting of a magnificent cake completed the festivities.
Friday 21st July
The Mayor and Consort thought that Chance Drama’s production of Matilda Junior was really excellent. The constant scene changing was slick, the cast’s singing and acting were confident and the main characters were all secure in their lines and singing. There were some lovely moments too such as launching the pigtailed pupil into space and the chocolate cake eating scene with Bruce Bogtrotter. Some raunchy renditions of ‘Naughty’ and ‘Revolting Children’ were real crowd pleasers. Big shout out to CDB Production Solutions for the professional sound and lighting which really added immensely to the whole production. Congratulations to Robyn and Darcy and the rest of the Chance Drama team
Saturday 22nd July
Just spent a few hours at the Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society’s Open Day. We received a very warm welcome, learned a great deal about the history of each vehicle, enjoyed a round trip on a vintage bus to the town centre and back, were given coffee and cakes, won a couple of prizes on the tombola and had a thoroughly entertaining time meeting and chatting to the enthusiastic volunteers. I highly recommend a visit.
Tuesday 25th July
The Mayor and Consort were delighted to be invited to the Sunderland Mayor’s Charity Dinner held at the Yuvraaj Indian Restaurant. Over £920 was raised. The event provided an opportunity to meet some of this year’s Mayors for the first time and also to renew friendships with a number of Mayors from last year.
Sunday 30th July
The Mayor was delighted to attend what was a very poignant Civic Service for the Mayor of Stockton’s Act of Dedication which was held at English Martyrs and Ss. Peter and Paul RC Church, Roseworth. A special moment was when Linda Longstaff MBE signed ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, sung by Eva Cassidy. Wonderful! Several other Mayors were in attendance, together with the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Durham, Mr Michael Poole.