Mayor of Bewdley, Coun Nicole Harper, writes for the Standard.
BEING mayor has been the greatest honour of my life.
I have attended many concerts and shows, military and civic commemorations, official dinners and afternoon teas, charity quizzes and fun auctions.
I have officially opened several Bewdley establishments and events, unveiled plaques, benches and the memorial tree, as well as celebrating the end of the work on flood defences.
Some of the highlights included big events – the Bewdley Carnival, the Cherry Fayre, the Bewdley Festival, the Christmas lights switch-on, the Bewdley Tractor Run and the Duck Race.
Smaller events were just as important, like meeting our oldest resident, Gladys Callis, on her 103rd birthday, and appearing in the display of important Bewdley women organised by the Women’s Institute.
I have supported three local charities – the William Mills Foundation, the Robert Poysor Foundation for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and the Emily Jordan Foundation.
I have now raised more than £3,000 with a quiz in November, a bingo afternoon in January, a Valentine Dinner and a fashion show in March.
The crowning event was my community concert, Step into the Music of Bewdley, organised with Alastair Elliott and the Bewdley Festival, on April 25 at St Anne’s Church.
Nearly 200 people attended a real showcase of Bewdley talent with over 50 performers – the St Anne’s Primary School Choir, three incredibly talented young pianists (Carys Read, aged nine and two 16-year-olds, Tymoteus Kaczmarek and Luke Pender), two very different groups (Berkeley Square and Beatlesque) and the Bewdley Musical Collective who performed a Jim Ineson specially composed cantata, telling the story of Bewdley in words, songs and images.
All the performers joined the audience at the end for a rousing chorus.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the generosity of the many traders, businesses, societies and organisations of Bewdley, my Deputy Mayor and Bewdley Town Council staff, my family, friends and my husband Bill – they have all made my year possible.
I have met so many remarkable people who freely give their time, energy and talent and make Bewdley a strong and warm community that I was very proud to represent.
