Last Stone Town Mayor’s Blog

The Stone Town Mayor’s Final Blog

This is my last blog as Stone Town Council Mayor, I must say a big thank you to Jamie and the team for asking me to do the Mayors Blog over the past 12 months.

I hope it has given all the readers an insight into the year of The Town Mayor, I must say Cliff and myself have throughly enjoyed attended all the events in Stone and promoting Stone to the outside towns. We do live in an amazing town it has opened my eyes to what people of Stone do, giving their time and knowledge to help others freely.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and thank you to my Deputy Mayor and consort Cllr Mike Williamson and Cllr Margaret Goodall. Not for getting my consort Cliff. Money raised for my chosen charities is an amazing £3,324.22p thank you to all that helped me raise the money, it will be equally shared between Stone Stroke Club, Oak tree farm and Katherine House.

I wish the next Town and Deputy Mayor a successful year and will fully support them.

Tuesday 25th March

Karen Armitage Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes, asked if I would attend the opening of the Priory Apartments in Stone.
This was a proud event for me as I work for Stafford and Rural Homes, the event started at The Olives in Stone then we walked down to the apartments, i was asked to cut the red ribbon with Karen and Chief Executive of Jessops who build them; then balloons were set free to mark the occasion by two of the new customers.
The apartments have replaced old garages that were un-slightly, I wish all the new customers a happy time living there.

Thursday 27th March

Cliff and I attended St Domnics school to enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment, the play they performed was Throughly Modern Millie, it was very professional and wonderful play.
The students must be congratulated on a great performance, also the teachers for all their hard work.

Saturday 29th March

We were invited by Chairman Cllr Jim Davies Staffordshire Moorlands to attend a meal at Getliffes restaurant in Leek then on to a concert by the Biddulph Male Choir at Biddulph town hall.
The choir gave an outstanding performance and it was a most enjoyable evening.
All money raised is going to Cllr Davies chosen charity.

Friday 4th April

Age concern Stone held a charity night, great fun had at the beetle drive fish and chips dinner and auction/raffle, Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes Karen Armitage attended with her daughter Alex who gave a wonderful singing performance.
Deputy Mayor of Stafford and her consort also attended.
All money raised goes to Age Concern Stone, many thanks to Cllr Lynne Baker Collier and Cllr Jill Hood on an enjoyable evening.

Saturday 5th April

The brownies who are celebrating their 100th birthday this year held a sleep over at Walton Middle School, I was invited to attend on Saturday morning to see what activities they were doing.
95 brownies attended, when I arrived I was shown the craft session, the brownies were decorating jars and placing vegetable seeds in them, what a wonderful idea.
They played games on the play ground and all enjoying their time.
A big thank you to all the leaders for making this happen again all time given freely.
Happy 100th birthday to all the brownies.

Tuesday 8th April

Trinity skills invited me to their Easter service at St Michaels & Wulfads church, the service started with an Easter bonnet parade.
Then we were entertained by the young people playing out the crucifixion, and then came a performance by Trinity Skills signing to Easter hymes.
Yet again a wonderful service which gave me a tear in my eye.

Wednesday 9th April

We were invited to attend A handful of songs performed by the brownie and guides at the Rep theatre in Stoke, what an amazing performance we could have been sitting in a theatre in London it was performed with such professionalism.
The theatre was full with proud parents, grandparents and friends, I was asked to go on stage to thank them all this was such a pleasure.
I wish them all well with their fundraising.

Friday 11th April

I attended Alleynes Academy 6th formers awards service.
It was my pleasure in awarding the Stone Town Mayors award, there is so much talent in these young people who are our future, I wish them good luck in their chosen professions.

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Saturday 12th April

Stone Town Council Civic dinner what a wonderful evening we were entertained by Alan Povey giving his rendition of Old Grandad Piggott then a lovely singer named Kate gave a great performance with her husband playing the electric guitar.
Over 70 guests attended it was an honour to host this yearly event.
We held an auction as Gordon Banks had donated a lovely painting of the 1966 Stoke team also we held a raffle, total raised was just under £400. My thanks go to Gordon for the painting and all that donated a prize.
The Stone House made everyone feel very welcome and the room looked lovely, thank you to all the staff who gave a brilliant service.
To put on any event takes time and hard work,  my thanks go to all in the Stone Council office, Jackie, Christine, Claire and Les for their help.

Saturday 19th April

Uttoxeter Town Mayor and Mayoress Hugh & Hermione Montgomery, invited us to attend the Last Night at the Proms evening which was held in Uttoxeter town hall.
The hall was full, the Uttoxeter town band lead the start of the performance, Linda Hammond gave a wonderful performance also we were treated to an amazing tenor singer Anando Mukerjee he gave an amazing performance.
All money raised goes to Youth Drop in Centre.

Wednesday 23rd April

I was asked to attend Sporting fit at St Donmics School to join in with then their activity for St George’s Day.
Sporting Fit are a group that in the school holidays have daily activities for young children, after talking to the children they asked if I would judge some paintings that the children had done.
The three groups of children presented their paintings and told me a story for each, it was a very hard task to judge as all three were brilliant.
I did choose a winner and the group were presented with tickets to Waterworld, but all the children received a gift.

Wednesday 24th April

Stone town council AGM held at Stone Station Community Centre.

Tuesday 29th April

Cllr Philip Leason held a charity Heritage walk around Stone, we started off at Westbridge Park and then we were treated to Philips knowledge of Stone as we walked around St Michaels & Wulfads church, Stone high street, Newcastle road then along the canel back to Westbridge park.
It was a truly enjoyable walk and it’s great to learn all the time about our amazing town of Stone.
My thanks go to all that attended and Cllr Philip Leason, all money raised goes to my chosen charities.

Saturday 26th April

The Mayor and Mayoress of Leek invited us to attend their civic dinner at The Three Horseshoes in Leek, it was a lovely evening with great company.

Wednesday 30th April

Stone plot AGM was held in the Stone council chambers, the trustees of The Stone Plot must be commended on how they manager the plot for all of Stone to enjoy.

Friday 2nd May

Lymestone brewery tour Ian and Viv made us all very welcome at the brewery, Ian gave a great tour and lots of information was given.
Ian and Viv must be congratulated on the success of their business, they both put a lot into the community of Stone and I wish them well for the future.

Saturday 3rd May

Mayors street collection – I would like to thank everyone who helped with the street collection and everyone who donated.

Tuesday 6th May

The County Council Chairmans Lady Kay Lawson and Vice Chairman Janet Eagland invited us to a springtime afternoon tea at the county council building in Stafford, this was a charity event to raise money for the Chairmans charity.
We were entertained by the County Council Choir, who sang beautifully.
This was my last event as Stone Town Mayor It was a lovely afternoon and a great end to the year.

From all at A Little Bit Of Stone, Thank you Jill for your Mayoral Blog this year! :)