Irish Night

Last Friday, I held an extremely successful Irish Night at the Irish Centre in Wimbledon attended by over 150 people. This was a night of music and dancing with a band led by Mary Farrell, who has provided the entertainment for the Mayor's Irish night for many years.

It was also fantastic to have such great support from across the borough, but especially in the Irish community. The previous Tuesday I had attended the St Patrick's Night at the centre, and it was great to see so many people coming together and celebrating.

Being of Irish descent I am also immensely proud of my Irish roots, but also everything that the Irish community have achieved in Merton, many of whom, like my own parents came to this country back in the fifties and sixties to seek a better life. I also think it's important that the Irish community can come together and be proud of the identity and background; expressing it music and dancing is one way of doing this!

It was a great night, and thanks to everyone who helped make the night a great success.

Duke of Gloucester Visit to Merton

This morning Merton had a royal visit from the Duke of Gloucester who visited Bishop Gilpin School (which is celebrating 250 years) and Southside House in Wimbledon. At the school itself we had a performance from children at the school that displayed their musical talents; followed by a re-enactment of the history of the school performed by children at the school. This was one of the first schools established in London, and established at a time when there were few schools in existence. The children were a credit to the school, and afterwards I also met many of them in their classroom where they asked a number of questions about my role as Mayor, but also about my chain. To conclude the visit a stone was unveiled by the Duke to celebrate 250 years of the school, and also all the children joined hands round the school while singing 'Reach for the Stars'

Following on from this we had a reception and tour of Southside House (one of the most historic houses in Merton), it also has wonderful gardens and one of Wimbledon's hidden gems. Also at the reception were a number of representatives from both my charities and from the voluntary sector in Merton. It was great to be able to thank them for all their efforts, and also allow themselves the opportunity to talk about their work to the Duke of Gloucester.

Mayor of Merton Ball

Last Saturday (Valentine's Day) saw the Merton Mayoral Charity Ball take place at the All England Club in Wimbledon. Over 130 guests' attended the ball, including 13 mayor's from across London. Also attending was a variety of other guests from across Merton. This is always one of the highlights of the mayoral year, and this year was no different. Apart from the wonderful food which a culinary delight, we also had Neil Long from Radio Jackie as the DJ for the disco afterwards which saw a number of us dancing the night away.

For me it was also my birthday on Saturday, so inevitably I had Happy Birthday sang to me along with a cake with candles. It was certainly one of the best birthday parties I've ever had, and one probably never to be repeated!

In terms of fundraising we raised over £4,000 for the mayoral charities; The Wimbledon Guild and The Vine Project. We also had a very successful charity auction conducted by Peter Walder from Merton Abbbey Mills who proved to be an absolutely fantastic auctioneer after stepping in at short notice. The raffle also raised over £1,000, and had some fantastic prizes.

All in all it was a great night, along with being a memorable and successful night. I would like to thank everyone who made it such a successful occasion.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Last week I attended the Holocaust Memorial Day service in Mitcham at Madeira Hall. During the event Jean Louis Mazimpaka - who survived the Rwandan genocide - and a Jewish Holocaust survivor shared some their experiences. Hearing both of them was extremely emotive, as was the Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild from Wimbledon Synagogue who talked about the experience of her brother, a rabbi visiting Auschwitz/Birkenhau memorial service, and his train journey. For the vast majority this was their last journey, and having visited in 2004 it is very emotional experience especially when you see the train tracks, along with their possesions. It also makes you realise the full horrors of the Holocaust along with the death of six million Jewish people and the many non-jews who died at the hand of the Nazi regime.

Before the service, along with a Holocaust survivor we planted a Peace Rose in the new Peace Garden.

Holocaust Memorial Day not only remembers all the victims of the Nazi regime but also all those who have died in more recent genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia as well as the current atrocities taking place in Darfur.

It is vital we remember the terrible events that have taken place in the past so that we ensure we learn important lessons for the future and work together to eradicate hatred, prejudice and discrimination in the borough.

Death of the Mayor of Croydon - Cllr Jonathan Driver

This morning I heard the very sad news that the Mayor of Croydon Cllr Jonathan Driver had died on New Year's Eve. During my time as mayor I had met Jonathan on many occasions and found him to be a great ambassador of Croydon, he had also attended charity events in Merton including a quiz night in September in which his team won. He was extremely competitive and we shared some friendly banter that night, but it was in a friendly nature and he was a person who had a great sense of humour. My deepest sympathies extend to all his family on their loss and may he rest in peace.

Merton wins 1st prize in New Year's Day Parade

Well the New Year got off to a winning start with our entry in the New Year's Day Parade 'Winter Wonderland' winning 1st Prize and in the process winning The Let's Help London Challenge which all the 23 competing London borough's had entered. For my charities it has also meant winning a prize of £7,500 for my charities, along with a huge glass trophy which will have pride of place in the Mayor's Parlour. To say I am elated is an understatement, I thought we'd do well and get a prize but to come out on top is beyond my wildest dreams. This has to be possibly my best moment since becoming Mayor of Merton last May. In all twelve prizes were awarded and it was counted down from 12th, the award ceremony was for me very nerve wracking and when it was announced all the Merton party were overjoyed at our success.

I would like to thank each and every person involved in the winning Merton entry, I am so proud of everyone and what we have achieved today. Many hours of toil has gone into our success but all the work has been worth it and as a result both my charities; The Wimbledon Guild and The Vine Project will benefit as a result of winning 1st prize.

In terms of the Parade itself it was a fantastic day despite the cold weather, the marching bands from the States were brilliant along with many of the entries into the parade. The New Year's Day Parade is a great spectacle to welcome in the New Year and I would like to thank the organisers of the event for putting on such a wonderful and joyous occasion.

Please click her for a link to New Tube which is a film of the day and of our entry: http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLR_enGB283GB283&resnum=0&q=Youtube%20%2B%20Merton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLR_enGB283GB283&resnum=0&q=Youtube%20%2B%20Merton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv&st=day

Goodbye 2008, hello 2009

Another year draws to a close in a few hours time, a year that for me has been a very rewarding one but also one that has gone in a flash. As I look back over the period since I become Mayor in May - I certainly have learned a great deal and have many great memories from 2008.

Anyway, tomorrow sees the dawn of 2009 and as mayor I am off to watch the New Year's Day Parade in London and also support Merton's entry in the parade which is themed around 'Winter Wonderland'.

The entry from Merton will be a spectacular one and will include a bike-riding reindeer will pulling a white sleigh carrying the snow king and queen who will be joined by snow people, elves, fairies, polar bears and two giant stilt walkers. It is all very colourful and hopefully it we will do very well as any prizes we gain go to my charities which are The Wimbledon Guild and The Vine Project.

My colleague and past Mayor of Merton, Cllr Geraldine Stanford has also done a fantastic job in co-ordinating the float, and getting so many people involved in our entry. I also have others to thank including Peter Walder from Abbey Mills, Russel Humphries from the Wimbledon Guild, Cllr Linda Kirby for putting together the the Winter Wonderland theme song(and fantastic to hear) and also everyone involved in putting together the costumes. I would also like to thank all the children involved in the parade which has included students of Wimbledon Chase school recording the Winter Wonderland theme song. Also as well to the countless number of people participating on behalf of Merton, at the last count it was 40+, my appreciation is extended to everyone involved.

It will be an exciting start to 2009, but one I am looking forward to despite the predicted freezing weather(at least the forecast is for dry weather!)My fingers are crossed for success tomorrow, but whatever the result I am very proud of the effort everyone has put in.

I hope everyone in Merton has a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2009!