Minutes:
(1) The Mayor reported that Merchant Navy Day had been marked at the Council Offices on 1st September, 2017 with a short service which had been led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, followed by the hoisting of the Red Ensign. The event had been attended by representatives of the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, Royal British Legion and Councillors. The Red Ensign had been flown until the end of Sunday, 3rd September, 2017 which was Merchant Navy Day.
(2) The Mayor advised that a charity cycle ride had taken place on 3rd September, 2017 around the Borough in aid of her charities. The Mayor expressed her gratitude to her Charity Fundraising Committee, the Rushmoor Cycle Forum and Naya Yuva for organising the event and to all those who had taken part. The event had been well supported and had raised £280 for her charities.
(3) The Mayor reported that she and the Mayoress had had the honour of attending the Canal Zoners National Service of Remembrance on 10th September, 2017, which had been held at North Camp Methodist Church. The Mayor advised Members that Canal Zoners was an organisation for servicemen and women who had served in the Suez Canal Zone of Egypt in the late 1940s up to and including the Suez Crisis of 1956.
(4) The Mayor reported that her Charity Golf Tournament had been held at Southwood Golf Course on 15th September, 2017 and had been supported by nineteen teams, including TAG Farnborough Airport, Aldershot Town Football Club, the Gurkha Golf Society, Fluor Ltd, the Meads Shopping Centre, Aspire Defence and the Royal School of Military Engineering. It was anticipated that the event would raise around £2,000 for her charities.
(5) It was noted that Aldershot and Farnborough’s best gardeners had been celebrated at the Rushmoor in Bloom presentation evening held at Princes Hall on 18th September, 2017. Awards had been presented in thirteen different categories, from Best Sports Ground to Best Newcomer. The Best Front Garden award had gone to Mr. Ken Howard of Field Way in Aldershot, the award for Best Sheltered Housing Complex had been won by Shaftesbury Court in Farnborough and the Best Kept Vivid Tenant’s Garden had been awarded to Mr. Thomas Rogers of Basing Drive, Aldershot. The Best Community Garden had gone to the residents of Cheyne Way, Farnborough.
The Chairman’s Award had been presented to the family of the late Mr. Brian Stephens, who had been a highly regarded supporter of Rushmoor in Bloom over many years and an Officer of the Council. Mr Stephens had won Rushmoor both the Southern England in Bloom Best Large Town/Small City category and the highest accolade of the Winner of National Britain in Bloom, beating many big towns and cities. His colourful, floral legacy remained throughout the Borough for all to see.
The Forum Award had gone to Honorary Alderman Mr. Colin Balchin because of his continued support for Rushmoor in Bloom and the amount of time he volunteered to help judge gardens and school entries. The Mayor’s Award had gone to Hart and Rushmoor Wellbeing Centre in Victoria Road, Aldershot.
In the Schools’ competition, there had been eight categories ranging from “Squire’s Herb Pot” to “Bee Friendly”. South Farnborough Infant School had won the Best School Grounds category and the Gardening for the Future category had been won by Henry Tyndale School in Farnborough.
(6) The Mayor reported that she had attended the annual Battle of Britain Service of Remembrance at North Camp Methodist Church on 17th September. The Mayor had taken the salute at the march past of RAF Association members and representatives from the local Air Training Squadrons.
(7) The Mayor advised Members of two forthcoming events in aid of the Mayor’s Charities, about which further details would soon be available:
· Christmas Afternoon Tea Party on 8th December 2017 at the Council Offices in Farnborough
· Charity Ball on Friday, 9th March 2018 with a Bollywood Theme at Princes Hall in Aldershot.