DURING my year as Mayor of Grantham, I have considered it an honour and privilege to have had the pleasure of meeting some really nice people and visiting many places in our beautiful county.
It has been a busy year and if it had not been for the many people who have assisted me in my fund-raising events it would have been a really hard year. I have to thank the two people in the Mayor’s office, Ann and Peter, who have worked jolly hard to ensure everything was right, also Mr Paul Stokes and Jo Toomey from SKDC.
Also, my wife, Coun Jean Taylor, who has supported me throughout despite health problems, and the four stalwarts from the Charter Trustees, Couns Ray Wootten, John Smith, Ian Stokes and Mike Cook, and last, but not least, the people of Grantham too numerous to mention who have supported me at all the functions.
At the time of writing I am not aware how much money has been raised for my good causes but the recipients will receive this on Friday May 25.
One thing from my year that will stay with me is a visit to Barrowby School for their nativity play. The Mayoress and I were at the front, and a pair of twins asked if I had won the large medal on my chain when I was in the war. When I said ‘no’ the other one asked ‘did you win it in a race mate?’ When the headmistress relayed this to the audience of parents it caused an outbreak of laughter.
I wish my successor Coun Ian Stokes the best of luck in his municipal year and hope he enjoys it as much as I have. Finally, a very big thank-you to everyone who has contributed to my good causes fund, you can be assured it will be well spent.