 |  |  |
TOP STORIES FROM MAY
HOT TOPICS UPDATED THIS MONTH:
ENVIRONMENT - FLOODING - MEMORIALS - TOWN CENTRES - TOWN TWINNING - YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
| ARE ALL YOUR BUILDINGS CORRECTLY INSURED? by Colin Raffell, |
 The Sevenoaks War Memorial will again be at the heart of commemorations. | A NATION WILL REMEMBER 80 YEARS ON FROM VE DAY Flags will be raised across the nation on Thursday, 8 May, when the country remembers Victory in Europe Day. Towns and cities across the UK, Channel Islands and Overseas Territories will join in commemorating the day the Second World War in Europe came to an end – honouring the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through it. An extra musical performance has been added to the line-up for celebrations in the Vine Gardens in SEVENOAKS. Soprano Fiona Henry will perform a solo of the official hymn for the national event, I Vow to Thee my Country, at the beacon after the lighting ceremony at 8.30pm to bring the evening to a close. |
|
| GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND BRINGS SILVER SUCCESS KIRTON IN LINDSEY Town Council has struck silver in the Local Council Award Scheme, which promotes high standards by recognising excellence in governance, community engagement and service delivery. The Lincolnshire council was the country’s first to attain recognition under new criteria. Town clerk Neil Taylor-Matson said: “Receiving the award is an excellent achievement, showing that the council achieves good practices in governance, community engagement and council improvement. Furthermore, this award shows that the council has gone above and beyond the legal obligations; leading the community and continuously seeking opportunities to improve and develop even further.”
|
|
Local resident Matty Cain, with Hetton councillors Dave Geddis, Philip Dowell and Mayor Susan Waterston at the flag unfurling. | COUNTY CELEBRATES ITS HERITAGE County Durham Day on 20 March was marked by HETTON Town Council. Town Mayor Susan Waterston was joined by deputy mayor Phillip Dowell to unfurl the county flag at the council’s home, The Hetton Centre. Falling within English Tourism Week, County Durham Day also provided opportunity to promote the town, the city of Sunderland and the wider region to visitors. “I encourage residents and businesses to fly the County Durham flag all year round,” said the Mayor. “The easiest way to show support is to include County Durham in your address. It’s important that knowledge of the historic counties continues to be promoted.”
|
|
The speed sign was installed by Mark Farey and Steve Chambers. | SUN SHINES ON SPEED DETERRENT A successful bid to the Police Commissioner’s Community Safer Roads Fund resulted in KEMERTON Council receiving a grant for £2,250 to install a vehicle-activated sign. It was placed on the approach to the Worcestershire village by lengthsman Mark Farey and volunteer, Steve Chambers. The sign uses solar-powered technology to advise drivers of the speed limit and warns if they are speeding. |
|
| DUCK FOOD FOR THOUGHT In an effort to support the wellbeing of local wildlife and enhance visitor engagement, NEWBURY Town Council, in conjunction with the Feed Ducks Initiative, has installed new duck feeders at Lock Island and Victoria Park. The aim is to provide a healthier diet for ducks and waterfowl, while discouraging the feeding of unsuitable foods, such as bread. Visitors can buy healthy and nutritious duck food from the new feeders. The project seeks to protect both the wildlife and the water quality of the Berkshire canal, as excess bread can contribute to pollution and disrupt natural ecosystems.
|
|
| SKATES ALIVE! FROME Skatepark Project is running a family fun day and skate jam on Saturday, 10 May at the skate park in the Mary Baily field, adjacent to Victoria Park. The event is a follow up to a successful event held by the Somerset community group last September, with the addition of free skate lessons for youngsters aged eight-18. This event, organised in conjunction with Frome Town Council, is also an opportunity for people to share thoughts and ideas for the future of the skatepark and a potential new location within the Mary Baily field. |
|
The Rev Dennis Coburn watches on at the tree planting in Brandon Orchard. | SUFFOLK ORCHARD AT CENTRE OF INITIATIVE A project aimed at improving biodiversity in BRANDON Orchard has been made possible through support from the UK Prosperity Fund. The initiative is a significant step towards preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and ecological health of the local environment in the Suffolk town. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey to enhance the biodiversity of Brandon Orchard,” said town council chairman Phil Wittam. “This project not only aims to protect and restore our local ecosystem but also to engage and educate our community about the importance of biodiversity.” |
|
| SIGNALS ARE GOOD FOR FREEDOM The Freedom of the Town has been granted to 280 (NATO) Signal Squadron by WIMBORNE MINSTER. The historic ceremony in the Dorset town square was made even more memorable with the support of the Band of the Grenadier Guards, creating an atmosphere of pride and celebration throughout the day. Town Mayor Jeff Hart presented the honour in recognition of the squadron’s exceptional service and contribution. It was accepted by Major Will Higgins. |
 Dame Sarah Troughton, HM Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, with former Marlborough Mayor Nicholas Fogg and his Rupert Alexander-painted portrait. | PORTRAIT IS A TOWN FIRST Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, HM Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire has unveiled what is believed to be the first portrait of a fully robed Mayor of MARLBOROUGH wearing the full insignia since the town received its first charter in 1204. The portrait of Nicholas Fogg was painted by portrait artist Rupert Alexander and shows him during his Mayoral year in 2023-2024. Mr Fogg has been elected Town Mayor three times and, as well as founding the town’s jazz and literature festivals, appointed an artist-in-residence each time he served. |
 Retiring Sandford clerk Malcolm Vallance. | CLERK LEAVES AFTER 41 YEARS More than 40 years of service to a Devon parish council has been marked with a presentation. Malcolm Vallance became Parish Clerk at SANDFORD in 1983 and at a ceremony to mark his retirement he recounted some of his career highlights, including the village winning the Best Kept Village contest, the Sandford Parish Plan, and nominating Mrs Sparkes and her being awarded an MBE. |
Clerks & Councils Direct
The Market Leading
INDEPENDENT Council Magazine
Circulates to local authorities and 8,900 Town, Parish & Community Councils in England and Wales. With our subscribers that’s around 10,000 circulation.
We are the clerk’s INDEPENDENT VOICE providing an unrivalled platform for clerks to air their views knowing their peers are also reading and looking for answers to similar problems.
Clerks & Councils Direct is a bi-monthly magazine that is packed full of news and information that is directly relevant to the clerks of councils in England and Wales.
It provides a first rate platform for clerks to express their views on any subject that is causing them concern. Judging from our letters bag they clearly find the publication of great value to them.
Our editorial policy is not to take sides but to remain independent and unbiased. However, our legal experts may offer top class free comment where advice is requested.
We regularly publish quality features on products and services that clerks order as part of their remit - from benches and bins, regalia to floral displays, shelters to skateparks and funerals to festivities.
There is a lot more to the responsibilities of the Clerk to the Council than most people realise - we write about it all.
Cookies are used on this site to enable members to log into special areas, no personal information is stored. By continuing to browse this site or log in you are giving permission to store the cookie on your computer in compliance with EU regulations.