Deputy Mayor Diaries: Caversham Primary - school councillor badge presentation

Well today was my first engagement since the Civic Carol service in December.  I was invited by Caversham Primary School to present their newly elected school councillors with their badges.

Caversham Primary has three school councils - the main one, the charity council and the eco-council.  Each one has an elected representative from each class from Reception to year 6.

Each child's name was called out and they stood up looking as proud as can be.  I shook hands with each of the main school council councillors and they we given a round of applause and their badges.

It was lovely to be invited to make this presentation.  I believe it's important that children understand the importance of voting and democracy at a young age.  I reminded them it is important to listen to their class as they are not elected to represent themselves but  the whole class.

Who knows, I may even see one of them elected as a councillor in 10-15 years!

Deputy Mayor Diaries : Ridgeway School Sensory Room Opening

I get asked to attend all sorts of events at all sorts of times and, this one being on a Monday (29 September) at 6.30, and at a school, meant I could take my two children (now called the Deputy Mayorettes) who had been complaining they hadn't been to anything for a while.

I was asked to come and see the opening of the new sensory room at The Ridgeway Primary school.  The room was opened by Tom Homer, who plays for the local rugby team, London Irish. Why a rugby player you may ask?  Well, the sensory room was funded by the Wooden Spoon - the charity of British and Irish Rugby supporting mentally, physically disadvantaged children through capital based projects.  You see, it makes sense now.

Wooden Spoon have been working with schools withing the Whitley Excellence Cluster to deliver various projects, this being one of them.  Sensory rooms can be hugely beneficial to all children, especially those with sensory, physical or communication difficulties and I'm sure it will improve the lives of many.

Deputy Mayorettes joining in

With Tom Homer

Tom and Headteacher Madeleine Cosgrove

Deputy Mayor Diaries: Prospects Cake Party

I have been very naughty and not kept up to date with my diaries.  It all got a bit hectic with my eldest going back to school and my youngest starting school for the very first time!  Things have finally calmed down so it's catch-up time. 

On Saturday 6 September I was invited to the Prospects Cake Party and what a wonderful afternoon it was.  It was an event to celebrate the staff, volunteers and people who use the services the charity offers.

Prospects are a charity that works with adults with learning disabilities to give them the support and skills needed to live a full life.  It also trains people to set up their own groups through churches across the country so their reach is very impressive!

We were entertained with music, dance and tricks.  Naturally I was required to join in with the card tricks!  I also got the opportunity for a little dance to the music by the excellent musicians.
Rob Wilson MP popped in at the beginning and helped me cut the celebration cake.

It was clear how much the volunteers mean to the people that attend Prospects sessions and how much benefit it felt.  It was an afternoon filled with happiness (and cake).

 

Deputy Mayor Diaries: Berkshire MS Therapy Centre 30th Anniversary

First off  I have to start with a confession.  Until today I had never visited the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre!  I have intended to go to one of their summer or Christmas fairs for ages but something always clashed.  I even watched the centre being built from my bedroom window but had never been inside.

Today I rectified this oversight as I was invited to attend the 30th anniversary afternoon tea celebration.  It was 30 years ago that the centre first opened in a Portakabin in Patrick Road and numbers have now swelled to over 1000!

The centre offers support, therapies and friendship to people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)  throughout Berkshire.  Everyone I spoke to told me how useful, happy and helpful the centre is.  There were speeches from former MP, and the centres patron, Martin Salter, the former manager and current chair.  Sir John Madjeski was also there as he is a big supporter of the centre.

We were told that the centre is about to undergo a big refurbishment thanks to the hard work of fundraisers.

It was a great afternoon, smiling faces all round and here's to another 30 years!

The centre has beautiful gardens

The Alternative Queen of Reading

I have been following this event with interest as it's such a wonderful idea.  Many others have advertised it and I figured it was my turn.  So here it is:

8pm on 8 March at the Shehnai in London Street.

Click here for the full flyer!

Mayor packing bags at Tesco?

Despite some accusations of being anti-Tesco, it is my local supermarket and the one I use most, mainly because I can walk there with the pram.   With that in mind, this press release from Reading Borough Council made me smile.  Imagine having your bags packed by the Mayor, Cllr Deborah Edwards!  Cllr Edwards is working ever so hard to raise money for the Mayors Fund so why not take advantage and raise some money in the process?