Mayor’s blog – 8 July 2024

Posted on: 8 July 2024

Following on from the excitement and honour of being made Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough on 14 May, the Mayoress and I have had the pleasure of a number of events during our first few weeks in the role, and for the most part a military theme has dominated!

Of course, first and foremost, the 80th anniversary of the D Day landings has rightly occupied all our focus. We took part in a service organised by the Tewkesbury Royal British Legion which incorporated a two-minute silence by the war memorial. It was particularly gratifying to be part of this service, together with the town Mayor and town crier.

In a much more informal way, we enjoyed some time at the Bishops Cleeve Care Home that acknowledged the anniversary with war time songs, a ukulele band and food. We enjoyed hearing some stories from a 99-year-old resident of her own recollections of D Day.

The King's birthday was honoured with the 'beating of the retreat' at the Imjin Barracks in Innsworth which proved to be an extremely enjoyable evening with thanks, in no small part, to the impeccable hosting. Mixing with so many nationalities from the various NATO Counties was really interesting, with obvious warmth between the various nations' representatives.

We took part in the raising of the flag at the borough council offices on 24 June to respect the Armed Services Day, and military personnel and veterans, along with councillors and council staff, attended the service.

Our very first event was to attend a production of 'Le Grand Return' by the St Johns Players in Churchdown. The play recalls the 'escape' of three old comrades - Tommy, Alf and Edwin - from Coldrick Nursing Home in 1994, and follows the friends' quest to attend the 50th D Day anniversary in France. A gentle comedy drama about love, remembrance, war and peace, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Well done St Johns Players!