Cllr. Rachel Parry Summer 2022
Published: 17 March 2023
Wasn’t Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee long weekend great and so exciting! I planted trees, lit the Town’s beacon, at the same time as countless other
beacons across the UK; we held the Big Picnic in Vine Gardens and there were many street parties all across our town.
Since then there have been many events, large and small, including the Family Fun Day at Greatness Recreation ground, and the opening of the Julian’s Meadow and Hillingdon Rise Play areas. Both these play areas were refurbished by the Town Council, thanks to a grant from the Enovert Community Trust.
Many people have managed to get away on holiday, and we all lived through the unusual days of extra hot weather, learning to be careful with our water use. The very high temperatures and the lack of water made preparing our Town for the South East in Bloom and Britain in Bloom judging very challenging. Despite the difficulties the many volunteers together with the Council’s staff worked so hard, rose to the challenge and presented the town in the best way possible. The results will be known fairly soon.
During the summer I represented Sevenoaks, throughout Kent and Sussex, attending other Mayors’ Civic Services as well as their charity events helping them raise funds, as other Mayors will come to my events to raise funds for my charity, SAYT.
To finish off the Bank Holiday weekend there was the Stag Team takeover, with music and amusements in the Vine Gardens. Thank goodness the weather was good. The singers were amazing, both on Saturday evening and Monday afternoon. I hope you’ll be booking Pantomime tickets when the season opens.
There are still things to look forward to, including two Flag Raising days, for Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September and for the Battle of Britain Day on 15th September. Both these events will be at the Vine flagpole at 10am, followed by refreshments at the Vine Cafe. I should also promote the Mayor’s Cocktail Party - Friday 16th September and the Mayor’s Tea Dance – Sunday 25th September.
We all face a most difficult autumn; so may I hope that, as soon as possible, the new Prime Minister will provide solutions which, while helping everyone deal with the incredible price increases and difficulties in front of us, will focus on helping those most in need.