Former Warwick Mayor reflects back on his busy year in the role for the town

The Mayor-making ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Warwick marked the end of my very busy year as Mayor.

I was able to publicly give thanks for the support I received and hand out well-deserved awards and recognition, including awarding cheques of £2,300 each to two local charities; Molly Ollys Wishes and Safeline.

This followed an incredibly successful fund-raising year.

Halfway through the ceremony I swapped the heavy robe and chain of office for the lighter robes of a regular town councillor which I will remain for the next three years.

The transition from the heavy and thick robe to the lighter gown of town councillor was also welcome because it was a warm early summer evening.

And with it came an additional relief of a sense of having given my time as mayor all the energy, commitment and positivity I could; and it was nice to hear that recognised in the vote of thanks.

Being mayor of our county town is a huge privilege and one which I was determined to uphold and do justice to from the beginning. Yet I was also determined to actually enjoy it. And to bring my own values and character.

One of my first events was to both start and run in the Warwick to Kenilworth Two Castles run on a warm June day. I remember the steady supply of sweets and encouragement from residents along the way.

Later in the summer I remember opening our fantastic Warwick Folk Festival and even joining in with some impromptu Morris-dancing in the Market Square.

With the Warwick Twinning Association we hosted a very successful Eurocamp, welcoming young people from our twin and friendship towns in France, Germany and Italy.

They experienced a lot of what Warwick has to offer and left behind a beautiful stained-glass themed art-work above the steps near the Market Square.

The Mayor is ex-officio Lord of the Court Leet which dates back to 1554. Although largely ceremonial the Leet is very active and runs popular events such as the Beer, Cider and Music Festival and the Classic Car Show.

The town ran a very successful Warwick in Bloom event across town this summer, with many residents and businesses taking part.

August also saw the opening of the Lord Leycester hospital after an eighteen-month refurbishment with impressive new facilities and restored buildings.

In October I loved reading out the ancient charter to mark the opening of the Mop Fair. I honoured a promise to myself made the year before to ride on the (very) tall twin-arm funfair ride. It was scary but fun.

The Remembrance day parades were poignant as always, followed later in November by the atmospheric traditional Victorian Evening, and Christmas Tree Festival at St Marys.

I have been constantly impressed by how much is done to support young people in our town, and the tremendous work of so many charities in support of those most in need.

As a legacy, I have helped set up the Warwick Arts and Culture Forum to better support and connect organisers of arts and culture events across the town. I also intend to further promote the story of our own 11th century local hero Guy of Warwick.

It has been an honour to have served as Mayor of Warwick.