Town Sunday is a tradition where the Mayor formally accepts the office of Mayor and promises to work for the people of Folkestone. Gathering around the cross in the grounds of St Mary and St Eanswythe's Church is the beginning of the formalities. In times past, this was the moment that the new Mayor was chosen and if he refused to accept the honour, his house would be burned down. I willingly agreed to be Mayor!
Dressing into full robes is exhausting enough but standing in 30 degrees for an hour is sweltering! The procession to The Stade on Folkestone Harbour was led by the Folkestone Pipes and Drums and included Folkestone Town and Shepway District Councillors as well as clergy from various denominations, all fully robed and finding the heat overwhelming.
I wouldn't have missed the British Armed Forces Day celebration on the Leas in Folkestone for all the world: I am so proud of our service men and women and those who have served us in the past, and judging by the many hundreds of people on the Leas, I'm not alone.
On Thursday 24th June, the Government Office of the South East "called in" the planning decision to expand the runway at Lydd Airport, also known as London Ashford Airport, stating that there will now be a public enquiry.
The new Sure-Start Centre Nursery called Caterpillars in Chart Road (behind Morehall School) invited me to make the opening speech on the official opening day. It is even more of a delight to be invited to do such a thing when it is for the people in Ward where I serve as Councillor!
Commenting on the budget, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes said:
Commented on national news reports that of Kent County Council's explanation of why it paid £365,000 to a director who left after a year in his job, Lib Dem Kent County Council Finance Spokesman Tim Prater said:
I've been clear in the past why we have to take difficult decisions to tackle the deficit and lay the foundations of a fairer society. These are not decisions that any government wants to take but we have no choice except to clear up the financial mess that Labour left us. Today's Budget takes these difficult decisions in an honest and fair way and with the clear stamp of Liberal Democrat values running through it.
Wearing the official Mayor chains in such hot weather is not an easy task, mainly because there is no opportunity to take my jacket off! The company, however was worth every minute and I realise I am making many new friends across the area.
Not even the changeable weather, with its showers and drizzle, could dampen the excitement of the hundreds of Brownies and Guides who went to the Folkestone Racecourse at Westenhanger for a Fun Weekend.
![Golfer Tiger Woods [U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho.]](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/2/csm_golfer-tiger-woods-u-s-navy-photo-by-photographer-s-mate-1st-class-brien-aho_84512446b3.png)
A new website has been launched listing the Kent hotels, guest houses and local residents willing to take in bed and breakfast guests or even let out their house to golf enthusiasts during next year's British Open at the Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich.
The thing about being Mayor for the first time is that each event is a completely new experience. I was amazed when entering St Eanswythe's Church, Folkestone, to find that the Mayor has his own special seat with a lectern with hooks below for the Mace. Convenient!
