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 COMMUNITY ASSETS

by Michael Wolverson,
communications officer, Plunkett UK

LEGAL MATTERS

STAGE SET FOR SINGERS TO IMPRESS

About 3,000 people attended the CANVEY ISLAND Town Council Christmas Light Switch-on. Free Christmas activities included an ice rink, Santa’s grotto, soft play bus, Christmas Bauble Treasure Hunt, gingerbread men decorating, a mini wheel and Santa letter writing. A small stage for local singers added to the ambience and offered Canvey Community Choir, Castleview students and Brianna Louise the chance to impress.

Canvey’s switch-on proved colourful.

UNITED IN REMEMBRANCE

YATE Town Council, St Mary’s Church and the Royal British Legion joined together for acts of Remembrance at the Lychgate and Parnall Memorial. The Boys Brigade marching band led a parade from the council offices at Poole Court to the church.

Remembrance tributes were paid in the Gloucestershire town of Yate. Picture: Rich McD Photography.

Wealden council chair Jessika Hulbert with Groombridge Post Office’s Judi Tuke.

CHART-ING ITS WAY TO UNIQUE GOLD HONOUR IN ASHFORD

GREAT CHART WITH SINGLETON has made history by becoming the only parish council in the Ashford, Kent area to achieve the prestigious Quality Gold Local Council Award. The accolade celebrates the council’s excellence in leadership, community engagement and innovative service delivery, as well as their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents. The Quality Gold Award, the highest recognition from the National Association of Local Councils is reserved for councils that demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in local government. Clerk Aniko Szocs has been instrumental in the council’s success.

 Back, from left: Lt Alex Firth, Flag Lieutenant to the Lord Warden; Mayor of Faversham Josh Rowlands; the Lord Warden Admiral Sir George Zambellas; Cllr Trevor Martin; Jonathan Neame, chief Executive of Shepherd Neame; Louise Bareham, town clerk. Front: Deputy Mayor of Faversham Claire Martin; Philippa Dickenson, chair of the Faversham Creek Trust; Lady Amanda Zambellas; and Ann Furedi, chair of the Faversham Society.

Hertford and Wildeshausen visitors present a united front at Hertford Castle.

GERMAN VISITORS ENJOY HERTFORD TRIP

Mayor of HERTFORD Rachel Carter hosted a welcome reception for visiting guests from twin town Wildeshausen, in Germany, at Hertford Castle. A wonderful morning celebrated the long-standing friendship between the two towns, with guests enjoying refreshments and a tour guided by volunteers from the Friends of Hertford Castle. Gifts were exchanged between the Mayor of Hertford and her counterpart, Mayor of Wildeshausen Jens Kuraschinski, with further gifts given to guests from Wildeshausen as a memento of their visit. Cllr Carter said: “Meeting our friends from Wildeshausen has been one of the highlights of my Mayoral year and has been a great opportunity to strengthen the ties between our twin towns.”

The new outdoor gym offers stunning views.

A GYM WITH SEA VIEW IN LYME REGIS

 An outdoor gym with sea views has been opened in the seafront gardens at LYME REGIS. The long-awaited equipment in the Dorset town’s Lister Gardens is free for anyone to use. The council spent £25,000 on state-of-the-art equipment, which comprises a cardio zone and a resistance zone, with more than 25 user stations and facilities for more than 120 exercises. Each piece has a user guide, as well as QR codes linking to how-to-use videos. Cllr Cheryl Reynolds said: “Physical activity is so important in helping us to lead healthier lifestyles and being out in the fresh air could bring additional benefits, such as improved mental health.”

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TAKING A VERY MODERN SEAT

DUNSTABLE is adopting innovative sustainability solutions with the installation of solar powered benches. The initiative has been made possible by the town council, who secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The installation of the solar benches is part of a broader effort by the town council to promote green energy, modernise the town’s infrastructure and commitment to sustainability. The solar benches aim to enhance public spaces, reduce carbon emissions and provide convenient renewable energy powered charging facilities, that offer users the ability to charge their phones, tablets, and other small electronic devices, using clean solar energy.

One of Dunstable’s solar-powered benches

Contractors Gerard & Todd ready to unload some of the new trees.

A TREE-MENDOUS EFFORT

National Tree Week was marked in one Sussex village by the planting of 13 strong and sturdy trees across parks and open spaces looked after by BILLINGSHURST Parish Council. Species including black poplar, walnut, oak, horse chestnut and liquid amber were planted at Jubilee Fields, Clevelands, Kingslea Farm and Lower Station Road Recreation Ground. A further eight trees, funded by the council were planted on highway land managed by West Sussex County Council under their donate a tree scheme.

LONG SERVICE HONOUR FOR SEVENOAKS STALWART

The Society of Local Council Clerks has honoured a Kent town’s clerk with a top award. SEVENOAKS Town Council clerk Linda Larter, was given the long service award at the professional body’s national conference. SLCC chief executive Rob Smith said: “Linda’s long-standing dedication is a testament to the invaluable contributions that clerks make to their councils and communities. “She served as SLCC president during the Covid years and played a crucial role in developing the civility and respect project. With over 30 years of clerking experience, her leadership at Sevenoaks Town Council and successful oversight of key community projects demonstrate her lasting impact.”

Sevenoaks Town Council clerk Linda Larter receives her long service award.