Mayor’s blog – December 2024
Posted on: 20 December 2024
The Christmas period started for us with my charity dinner at Puckrup Hall on the 29 November. It was a three-course meal woven around an atmospheric narration of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Thank you to those who came and helped to raise funds for my two charities.
The Tewkesbury Town Band as usual delighted the audience at the Roses Theatre with their annual Christmas Concert, and it was a joy to represent Tewkesbury Borough at this event. This is their 50th year, so it was an amazing achievement and I cannot imagine the number of musicians that have been trained and played over the years.
Lynne and I took a trip to Abbeycare at Hygrove House in Minsterworth to hear the Innsworth Military Wives Choir for their Christmas get together. The facility is devoted to helping people with addictions, and it was heartening to hear clients who have been helped so much. We chatted with Victoria who had just spent 125 days at Hygrove and was about to leave with a mixture of joy and trepidation in equal measure. We send Victoria our best wishes for the future.
The annual Police and Fire Brigade Family Christmas Service held at the Abbey was a mixture of uplifting congregational carols and police choirs, ending with a special rendering of O Holy Night by the ‘Instruments of Praise Gospel Choir’. The Bishop of Gloucester remarked after “How do you follow that!”, which gives you an idea of its impact.
On 17 December, Alderman Knight School invited us to their carol concert and, as always, impressed all present with song, music and readings – a credit to the staff who work so hard to bring out the potential. It was also interesting to meet Alderman Knight’s grandson who was in attendance, and to hear about his passion for education which was the driving force for the school to be formed all those years ago!
While in the Abbey, I took a look at their latest display, entitled ‘The Longest Yarn’, commemorating the 80th anniversary of D Day. It is open until 7 Jan, so do check the Abbey website for more info. Well worth a visit!
I really enjoyed two events organised by Tewkesbury Academy – their ‘Christmas Extravaganza’ concert followed by a fashion show with the theme ‘eco chic’. These two events really highlighted the next generation of musical and creative talent in our community.
Meanwhile back at base… the council’s chief executive, Leader of the Council, Cllr Stanley and myself, judged a ‘bake off’ with entries from council staff. This turned out to be great fun, and the delicious results were purchased by officers with proceeds going to the Mayor’s charities – thank you to all involved.
My next blog will be in 2025, so in the meantime please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable, happy Christmas and peaceful, prosperous New Year.
