As we slowly emerge from winter to the new beginning of Spring, for me an ending is also in sight. People have, all of a sudden, started commenting to me that my Mayoral year is nearly over. Having completed nearly 10 months of my year as Mayor, thoughts such as “have I achieved what I wanted to do?” have been running through my head. The answer, as often in life, is yes and no. Spending a lot of time with people in the community has been wonderful and representing St Albans City and District has been an honour.
My aim to promote true integration and understanding of children with special needs has been harder though. I’ve learned that those who listen are the people who would do it anyway, but those who are afraid or closed to welcoming different children close their ears. I imagine it’s the same with all prejudices all over the world and if I’ve made a difference to just one person then I have succeeded.
They say save the best for last, and the next 2 months are packed with Mayoral events that I’m very proud to be attending, and hosting. These include the annual Mayor’s Civic Banquet and Ball entitled “Celebrating Our District Together”, which is to be held at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans on 18 March. As well as a sumptuous three course meal there’s dancing to a live band, a cabaret, a guest speaker and close up magic. Tickets are £45 each and the proceeds will go to my mayoral charities Home-Start St Albans City And District* and Special Olympics St Albans*. If you haven’t already booked your ticket then please do so by sending an e-mail: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk or telephoning: 01727 819544.
I’m also delighted to be hosting the first Mayor’s Pride Awards Ceremony at the Alban Arena on 28 April. This has come out of my admiration for the people in our District who do so much for others. It will be a moving evening, celebrating our unsung heroes, and there will also be food and entertainment. What’s more tickets are free. You also still have the chance to nominate a person or group who you feel should be recognised for their contribution to our District. There is a link on the home page of the Council’s website or please call my office: 01727 819544.
So, spring is in the air but I don’t feel my year is ending yet – there’s still a lot to do and I’m looking forward to it with gusto!
Cllr Maxine Crawley, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of St Albans City & District.
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544 E-mail: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Davina Mansell, Information and Communication Officer
Tel: 01727 819316. E-mail: davina.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans City and District Council
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Notes:
The Mayor’s charities for 2010/11. See below and http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/mayorsoffice/mayor/mayors-charities/
* Home-Start St Albans City And District: provides practical and emotional support for young families in: St Albans, Harpenden, Redbourn, Wheathampstead, Colney Heath, London Colney and Sandridge. It is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown, and emphasising the pleasures of family life. For further information visit their website: http://www.homestartstalbans.org.uk/home2.php or contact:-
Senior Co-ordinator: Sally Patterson
31 Spencer Street
St Albans AL3 5EH
Tel / Fax: 01727 833810
e-mail: office@homestartstalbans.org.uk
* Special Olympics St Albans (SOSA): is a branch member of the registered charity Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) which provides sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability. SOSA supports over 150 athletes to participate in 8 weekly sports sessions and although the ethos of Special Olympics is non-elite, for those who wish to access competitive sport there are local, regional, national and sometimes international opportunities to do so. They also arrange social activities for their members including; visits to football matches; theme parks & night clubs. For further information contact Susie Williams at:
London Colney Recreation Centre
Perham Way
London Colney
Hertfordshire
AL2 1LB
Tel: 01727 827667
e-mail: susie.williams@leisureconnection.co.uk
Special Olympics Great Britain: http://www.sogb.org.uk/