Lots for the Mayor to do in March

Published: 30 March 2026

March has been very busy indeed. Lots for the Mayor to do.

The first outing with fellow councillors was a visit to the new Dartford Road zebra crossing, the first one commissioned by the Town Council. It’s taken ten years for this campaign to succeed - but it won't be the last.

 

Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees made a very impressing presentation of their plans to help people coming to our town under the government’s schemes for legal refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Then there was the reopening of Buckhurst Play Area. New rockers and a see-saw, plus repairs to the barriers to protect the toddlers swings, should make this once again a place for young children to enjoy.

The International Women's Day event sponsored by Sevenoaks Town Council was an inclusive gathering at which young people from local schools met professional women from a range of businesses and public services. The speaker from FM Conway and influencer Renee Imafidon were especially impressive.

 

The invitation to Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra’s concert on 8th March was well worth accepting. Their performance of The Planets was brilliant.

Sevenoaks Annual Town Meeting on the 9th was a great showcase for all the voluntary organisations and charities which the Town Council supports and which make such a contribution to life in Sevenoaks. Thanks to everyone who came and asked challenging questions of the Council.

 

The next day, I was invited to present certificates for GCSE achievements to students at West Heath School - another impressive display of capabilities by Sevenoaks young people, and by the school itself in terms off the range of subjects covered.

 

I had never been to an Iftar meal, at which the Ramadan fast is broken. The invitation from Sevenoaks Muslim community to join them at the Bat & Ball Centre for this event was an opportunity to join them for this important ceremony - and learn some of the similarities to the way Christians observe Lent.

Sevenoaks Soroptimists charity lunch in aid of Mind drew professional women from the South East to hear several excellent speakers. Our thanks to soroptimist President Margaret Crabtree for the invitation to such good event.

On 19th March, my charity concert at Stag, featuring Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra, Green Street Blues and community choir Sevenoaks Sings, drew a good audience including mayors from across Kent and Sussex. My thanks to all who contributed to a very enjoyable evening of locally generated music - to John Levett who pulled it all together, and to Derek Nash of Jools Holland’s orchestra for adding extra magic.

  

Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year at Walthamstow Hall followed three days later - a whole day of superb youth talent. I was honoured to present the winner’s prize - but was sorry for the judges who had to make a decision between fourteen excellent performers covering piano, violin, cello, clarinet and flute.

The official opening of Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve’s new building was an opportunity to learn more about the work of its founder Jeffrey Harrison, who turned an industrial quarry into a haven for birds and other wildlife. The ongoing work of Kent Wildlife Trust to develop it as a conservation and educational centre is inspiring.

I joined Sevenoaks Allotment Holders Association for their Mug & Muffin gathering on Sunday 29th March. There’s lots of good gardening going on at the Quakers Hall site, and I had a chance to see the new solar panels in action - delivering the electricity to boil tea for everyone!

Sevenoaks Philharmonic Choir put on a wonderful performance of Mendelsohn’s Elijah in the afternoon, to a packed house at Pamoja Hall. With a choir of eighty singers plus a team of excellent soloists they made a powerful - and tuneful - sound.

And at 7.30pm on Monday 30th, I’m joining local historian and storyteller Bob Ogley at The Space, Sevenoaks School, for another talk on his book, "The Story of Knole Park". Up to now, Bob’s talks have all sold out - but you may be lucky and get into this one. See you there.

Don’t let anyone tell you there’s nothing to do in Sevenoaks!!

Cllr Tony Clayton
Mayor of Sevenoaks