Mayor’s Blog: Unexpected fun

Unexpected fun is often the best kind as it takes you by surprise. This has happened quite a few times since I have become Mayor and what follows shares with you a few examples!

October saw me receive two of the yummiest chocolate cup-cakes I have ever eaten from the Teddington Lawn Tennis Club after their MacMillan Coffee Morning. The club was founded in 1908 and has been at its present site in Vicarage Road, Teddington since 1914. The question is had they always eaten such good cakes?

Now the 5th of November found me sharing with many others what can only be described as a spectacular firework display at the Richmond Athletic Association's ground. A cascade of colour, noise (not too loud) went on and on! Thank-you Richmond Athletics!

My Consort at first thought it was a fire alarm starting at the most surprising thing that has happened. This was being 'piped aboard' Richmond Sea Cadets H.Q. What an honour! This was at a reception after Richmond's Remembrance Day event.
 
At the beginning of September, I was at the Horse Rangers Association of Hampton Court's Big Weekend. It was a very hot day, and I remember gingerly patting a very patient horse which had just been joining in an event. Two Horse Rangers quite unexpectedly and under their own initiative came and presented me with a pot of flowers.
 
Flowers in the form of bouquets have unexpectedly delighted me since. Once at the AGM of Crossroads Care and one at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce's Business Awards held at the Rugby Ground. The latest bouquet was this week when I received one at a tea party. The tea party was for children who were the winners and runners-up of the Christmas Card competition. Thank you to all those children who sent in designs and made it a hard task for the Mayor, with help from the Deputy Mayor, to choose the winners. The Leader of the Council also, chose his favourites for his cards too. We didn't fight over any!
 
About this time, I received a portrait of myself drawn by a young man, Genesis Brown. The photograph below shows me holding it.  I must say that the young person that sent in a picture of me as part of a Christmas card design did quite well too.

Another fun experience took place at the National Archives. The Q2 Players performed 'Bullshot Crummond". With incredible energy and acting skill, they made us laugh out loud!
 
I'm not sure how a dinosaur fits in with Christmas, but Councillor Gareth Roberts and I met an extremely large, moving model at the Hampton Traders' Christmas Lights event. Other stalls and societies of Hampton were interesting but did not have dinosaurs...

To finish I must tell you about the most humbling experience I received on behalf of you all. It was when I visited Pat Mygind on her 100th Birthday party in July. She insisted on getting to her feet to honour the position of Mayor, a gesture I really appreciated.
 
I end with wishing you all a Happy Christmas!

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