The Mayor announced the sad
news that Mr Allen Gales had passed away, following which a
minute’s silence was observed. Mr Gales was well known to
longstanding councillor and staff colleagues at Eastbourne Borough
Council where he had been Borough Treasurer. He had also served as
Board Director of Eastbourne Homes and as an Independent Person for
standards matters in recent years.
Since the
last Council meeting, the Mayor’s engagements and fundraising
events for her two chosen charities, Embrace, and Rebourne Corner, included:
- An Exhibition and Sale of Paintings by the Society of Eastbourne
Artists at the Town Hall in aid of the Mayor’s Charities on
18 and 19 November 2017 The
Mayor’s Charity volunteers provided refreshments for
exhibitors and visitors, helping to raise extra funds in addition
to those donated by the Society.
- Eastbourne Lions' annual Swimathon
on 18 November 2017. Eastbourne
Swimming Club, The Otters and Eastbourne Salvation Army all helped
to raise money for the Mayor’s Charities.
- Don McPhee and the members of the Mayor’s Charity
Committee arranged a sell-out evening of Christmas entertainment at
Willingdon Golf Club on 23December 2017.
- A
number of Christmas concerts and festive events during December
including visiting Eastbourne Rotary's 'Alone at Christmas' lunch
on Christmas Day itself with her Consort, Eastbourne DGH,
Eastbourne Fire & Rescue and the Police in Hammonds
Drive.
- The first Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night of the new year on 19
January 2018, which was attended by well over 100 participants.
Councillor Swansborough and his team who were the evening's
victors.
- Sussex Schools' 'Rock Challenge' at
the Hawth in Crawley on 31 January
2018, as a guest of the local Mayor to support the Eastbourne
schools.
- A
reception in the Mayor’s Parlour on 9 February 2018 for the
students of the ABF catering school, from Treviglio in northern Italy. The students have
recently completed a project on British food and hospitality, and
are developing their skills through work experience in many of
Eastbourne’s restaurants.
Over the next couple of months, the Mayor’s engagements
and fundraising events would include:
- A
bingo night on 23February, an Open Mic Night showcasing local
talent on 4 March, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the West
Rocks Hotel on 10March, and a Sixties Night at the Underground
Theatre on 6 April 2018.
- The Mayor was conscious of 2018 being the centenary of the
Representation of the Peoples' Act, when for the first time working
men and the very first women gained the vote. To mark International
Women’s Day on 8 March, Eastbourne Soroptimists had organised a Conference taking
place at the Town Hall in support of the Mayor’s Charities.
The day promised to be an informative event, with a number of high
profile speakers tackling issues such as human trafficking,
girls’ education and women in leadership.
- Invitations would
soon be sent to Members for the Mayor’s Civic Church Service
at St Mary’s Church, Old Town, on Sunday 15 April at 3pm. The
Mayor looked forward to welcoming all comers to this special and
inclusive event. Enquiries regarding Mayor’s events should be
directed to the Mayor’s Office.
The Mayor expressed her
gratitude for the officer support she had received in her time as
Mayor, particularly that of Peter Finnis, Assistant Director of
Corporate Governance, as this was the final time she would be
chairing the Council meeting in her capacity as Mayor.