Agenda item

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

“I am now going to report on the highlights of my key public engagements and initiatives undertaken over the past two months.

My first engagement this year started on January 3^rd. I joined the residents of Spelthorne and Walking for Health Group for a 3.5-mile walk around Broadwater Lake.  Despite the cold weather, there was a good turn- out. As Mayor, participating in the walk was a great way to demonstrate my commitment to promoting health and wellness within our community and also inspiring other residents to embrace a healthier lifestyle. It was wonderful to witness the enthusiasm of walk leaders Colin and David, as well as the participants who engaged in physical exercise, enjoying social interaction while appreciating the beautiful scenery of our Borough.

My next activity was The International Holocaust Memorial Day observed on 27^th January to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. Spelthorne Borough Council marked the 80th anniversary of Holocaust Memorial Day by raising the flag outside the council offices. We gathered in solemn remembrance in this chamber to honour the six million innocent Jews who lost their lives in the most dreadful way. These atrocities must never be forgotten, and we must remain committed to ensuring that history does not repeat itself.

Further to that, I was privileged of attending the Youth Speaks Debate Competition. The participating schools put in a tremendous amount of effort, and the debaters defended their topics with great passion. This event showcased the incredible potential of our young people, and when given the right opportunities, they excel and make our borough proud. I had the honour of presenting certificates and awards to the winning teams, who accepted them with great pride. I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Shepperton Aurora for organising this wonderful competition.

Another activity organised by the Rotary Club of Staines, they gathered several organisations/charities dedicated to improving the lives of people in our borough. I had the opportunity of presenting the funds raised by the Rotary members to support these organisations in their mission to enhance the well-being and quality of life for Spelthorne residents.

Earlier this month, I participated in a cultural celebration, the Saraswati puja organised by Prayash UK at Stanwell Village Hall.  This event attracted approximately one hundred residents. It provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate our community's diversity and acknowledge the valuable contributions of The Indian ethnic groups of our borough. I had the honour to present certificates to individuals who excelled in various categories of activities organised by Prayash UK.

Over the next three months, several fundraising events have been scheduled to support my 4 nominated charities.

I am pleased to share details of forthcoming Events aimed to support those charities:

1.    Annual Mayor's Charity Night at Sunbury Cricket Club which will be held on the 14th of March, It will be an evening of music and entertainment with the famous Chain Gang Band, They played at Cricket club's for previous Mayor's Charity Night. I encourage everyone to join in for a night of fun.

2.    Mayor's Afternoon Tea at Squire’s Garden Centre will be celebrated on 21 March. This event, taking place at 2pm, will be another excellent opportunity to raise funds for the charities while enjoying an afternoon of socialising and community spirit.

3.     On the same evening, to mark the World Poetry Day, the Surrey Poet Laureateship will organise a poetry competition to commemorate Spelthorne’s 50th Anniversary. The theme of the competition is Spelthorne 50 years of memories. The competition is open to all secondary schools and residents, and I look forward to hearing creative expressions of our borough’s rich history and culture.

4.    Another fantastic Charity event on 22^nd march, Please Join us for an Elvis Night at Stanwell Village Hall in support of our nominated charities. Please come and enjoy a night of rock and roll with our famous Elvis Impersonator Jonny Quattro in a wonderful community atmosphere.

5.    Mayor’s Banquet Ball – On 26th April, will take place at Holiday Inn Shepperton. This year’s theme is Bond 007, and our team is working tirelessly to make this a memorable evening. I encourage all of you to book your tickets as soon as possible and join us for a night of elegance, entertainment, and excitement.

6.    And finally another exciting evening on 15^th of May , please join us for the Mayor’s Race Night at Kempton park race course. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of live horse racing followed by delicious dinner and drinks at the Panoramic Restaurant while supporting the charities. Book your ticket now to be part of this special night.

Details of all the forthcoming activities will be emailed to all members, and I look forward to seeing many of you, your family and friends at these events as we continue working together for the benefit of our community

To conclude, the past two months have been an enriching and active period in my role as Mayor of Spelthorne. From promoting healthy lifestyle to recognising our youth and engaging in cultural events and my focus has been on fostering community unity and promoting Spelthorne’s values. As we move forward, I remain committed to representing our borough with dignity and pride and ensuring that our community are supported and celebrated”.