Minutes:
(1) The Mayor extended congratulations to Councillor Sophie Porter who would be getting married that Saturday to her fiancé, Matt. She wished the couple a memorable day with family and friends and a wonderful future together.
(2) The Mayor advised Members that PC Mark Ranola had been awarded an OBE in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List. PC Ranola had received an OBE for his services to policing and the community in Hampshire in recognition of his “generous and industrious work” for the large and growing Nepali community in Rushmoor since 2004. The Mayor would be writing to PC Ranola to extend the Council’s congratulations on receiving this honour.
(3) The Mayor advised Members that she had attended the annual Gurkha Cup Football Tournament on 26th May, 2019. The Mayor thanked the Tamu Dhee Association UK, Mr Nanda Jung Gurung and members of the Association who had very generously presented her with a cheque for £500 for the Mayor’s charities.
(4) The Mayor advised Members that she had attended the annual Farnborough Donkey Derby at King George V playing Fields on 27th May, 2019, which had been organised by local Rotarians. The event had been very well attended and it was understood that a considerable amount had been raised for local charities.
(5) The Mayor advised that she had had the honour of attending a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 29th May, 2019 and had been accompanied by former councillor, Barbara Hurst, and her granddaughter.
(6) The Mayor advised that, on 1st June, 2019, she had attended the Rushmoor ‘Get Involved’ Fair in Aldershot town centre. The Fair had been supported by many local voluntary organisations and gave an insight into what local charities, community groups and clubs did. The Fair provided information on how to get involved in volunteering and support local organisations who played an important part in the local community.
(7) The Mayor advised Members that she had been proud to attend the Victoria Day event in Aldershot town centre on 8th June, 2019. The rain had held off and more than 500 people from community groups, schools and businesses had taken part in the grand parade. The Best in Parade certificate had been awarded to Aldershot Girl Guiding and, for the second year running, the Best Dressed Shop Window certificate had been awarded to Edgar Jerome in Wellington Street. The Mayor thanked those at the Council who had organised the event, with the help of an enthusiastic group of volunteers and residents who were part of the Aldershot Community Together group.
(8) The Mayor reported that, every June, Rotary Clubs throughout Britain and Ireland, together with the Kids Out Charity, took over 25,000 disadvantaged children on a big day out. The local Kids Out fun day, for over 800 children and their carers, had been held on 12th June at the Army Rugby Stadium, in Aldershot.
(9) The Mayor advised Members that, earlier that day, she had attended a presentation of the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll to the family of Lance Corporal Newsome, formerly of the Royal Army Service Corps. The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll was granted to the next of kin of UK Armed Forces personnel who had died on medal-earning operations or as a result of an act of terrorism, in recognition of their loss and sacrifice.
(10) The Mayor advised that Armed Forces Day would be celebrated in Aldershot on 24th June, 2019 with the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag in Princes Gardens, Aldershot and also on 29th June, 2019 with troops from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and the Corps of Drums on parade in Aldershot town centre.
(11) On
behalf of all Members of the Council, the Mayor congratulated Honorary Alderman
Colin Balchin and his wife, Rosemary, who would be
celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 27th June, 2019.