The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell - monthly column
My first hectic day - Saturday 29 May
In the beginning............
Every fourth year, the incoming Mayor of Epsom and Ewell has quite an interesting and somewhat hectic three weeks in which to prepare him or herself and their family - for what is to come, because, every fourth year, local elections are held in Epsom and Ewell - and nobody can pre-determine what the electors will decide!
In normal circumstances (and in the absence of local elections) an incoming Mayor has about four months to prepare for the start of their year. However, it was only on Thursday 6th May 1999 that I was re-elected as a Councillor for the Ewell Court Ward - and that left me with just 18 days to prepare for Mayor Making on Tuesday 25th May.
I had to send out invitations to guests, decide upon a menu for the Mayor's supper, order a bouquet of flowers for the outgoing Mayoress, get fitted out in the Mayoral robes (getting alterations done as necessary), select three charities to support (and write letters to the many other charities that I could not support), write a speech for the occasion, buy a new suit, draft a press release, pose for photographers - and carry on my job as a teacher! It was hectic, but the Town Hall staff were very helpful and knowledgeable, and Rosemary, my wife, and my two children Eber and Frances were very supportive.
However, if I felt that the run up to being elected as Mayor was a busy time, little did I know how my first day of engagements as Mayor would be. It was Saturday 29th May, and at about 11.30am Rosemary and I were heading off to Epsom Town Centre and the Derby Festival Fair in Rosebery Park. It was glorious sunshine all day - until the thunderstorms at 6 0'clock, which were too late to spoil anyone's fun.
We began with a stroll through Epsom town centre market place. We met various traders, including a man who sold jackets and coats (celebrating 50 years in the market in August) a fishmonger from Grimsby and a donut man - who allowed me to taste his produce!
We then assembled for a horse-drawn coach ride to Rosebery Park. We met Donna Maria - a dance instructor. Without once pausing for breath she enthusiastically explained about her rosebuds and sweet peas, who were dancing flower girls and who had come to Epsom to "create a summer feel". We joined Ingrid Tarrant (wife of Chris) and we travelled through the town on the open topped horse-drawn coach to Rosebery Park. Low flying branches from the trees nearly decapitated us but we survived the journey intact, which allowed me to say a few words of welcome and for Ingrid Tarrant to make a speech.
The Mayoress and I then took the opportunity to tour the fair It was great fun! People are so nice. We bought cake, biscuits and raffle tickets. I named the teddy (Chelsea, what else!). We met various young people, including a boy from Darlington who thought I was the Mayor of London. We visited the charity stalls and at the plant stall Rosemary bought a cucumber plant and I ended up with a baby (Don't ask!).
It was then off to Sharp's Home Office furnishing for the opening of their new store in Epsom High Street. We arrived as a net full of balloons was causing chaos on the pavement and forcing shoppers to take avoiding action by walking out into the main road. A few press photographs were then required - but my chain of office got caught up in the netting and I had visions of flying up over the town Richard Branson style. Molly, the new shop's manager presented Rosemary with her first bouquet of flowers, I made a speech, and they made a very generous donation to my three Charities. But then it was back to the Park and.............
Another stroll around the Fair, a call into the middle of the arena to be greeted by a mass courtesy from Donna Maria and her flower girls, a cup of tea and, at 2.30, off to Stoneleigh Broadway for the Stoneleigh Fun Day.
We began our visit with a drink (non-alcoholic!) in the Stoneleigh Inn. Then Norman Bradbury (Electrical shop), Paramel Amith (Chemist), Franco Perdachi (Delicatessen) and Maggie Kimberley (Maggie's Pets) arrived to take us around Stoneleigh Broadway. During the afternoon I drew the raffle tickets, bought a hamster treat from Maggie's Pets and had my first ever expresso coffee at Francos. We sat outside his shop and talked to the locals, whilst a clown passed by in his car spraying water at unsuspecting shop keepers. That was followed by an ice cream and, later, a gift a candy floss. It was a really lovely occasion, but we had to leave to prepare ourselves for..............
....the Derby Festival Ball at the Queen's Stand, Epsom Racecourse in the evening. Our host was the General Manager, Stephen Wallis who entertained us with a meal and 'Jamtastic' - a four piece group who specialised in 60's and 70's music. We danced and then the Mayoress and I took the opportunity of a warm evening to walk out on to grandstand balcony and look out across the race course, before leaving at 11.30pm - to the waves of the guests, most of whom were from the racing fraternity.
So, four engagements in one day. What a start. But an enjoyable one. Back home, at midnight, I just wondered what day two would bring.................!
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first posted
7 July 1999
last updated
7 July 1999