Hello to all of you wonderful people of this town. It has been a quiet month for me, but it was also a month where I had the chance to think about the good that people do here.
We had the chance to attend the Poppy Appeal Business Awards hosted at the Royal British Legion. This was a chance for the people who organise and fund raise for the Poppy Appeal to say “thank you” to all those businesses in Stowmarket that help them raise the substantial funds they need to keep working with ex service personnel and their families at times when they need it most.
Their work is vital, and we had a talk from Trevor Bygate who has been helped by the Royal British Legion after a very traumatic period of his life. He is now a Royal British Legion Ambassador, and his story is worth knowing and although it is not mine to tell I would urge you to look him up and read about the work he now does. He is a remarkable character and in addition to working with the RBL he also works with Cruse Bereavement and PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide – amongst others.
It was good to be able to express an appreciation for all the work of those that organise and fund raise for the Poppy Appeal, as well as to the businesses that support their efforts. Locally, the people of this town of ours (and the surrounding areas) are generous donors to the cause and I hope continue to be so.
On Saturday 8th of November I will be out in town with the Deputy Mayor (Darren Dordoy) and Nigel Bailey who is the Stowmarket Poppy Appeal organiser – please come and say hello.
Also we attended two events to commemorate the Battle of Britain. The Stowmarket branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) invited us to their lunch and it was an honour to go there and talk to the people of the RAFA and those who support them. We also were invited by the Mayor of Bury St Edmunds to their service of commemoration for the Battle of Britain. It is sobering to spend time reflecting on the fact that the average age of a British Pilot fighting in the air was twenty – just twenty. They had two weeks training, and a life expectancy of four weeks. An awful statistic that shows the bravery and sacrifices made for our freedoms.
We had the Mayors Charity Quiz! Thank you to all those that attended. We raised over £500 for the charity of the year (the Stowmarket Youth Theatre) thanks to the generosity of the people that came and those the donated prizes. Thank you so much – there will be another one early next year.
I should make an apology to the Stowmarket Lawn Tennis Club, I was due to go their annual awards presentation but, right at the last minute, there was a family emergency and I had to call on the good auspices of the Deputy Town Mayor – Darren Dordoy who then had minutes to get ready and go. So,, sorry to the Stowmarket Lawn Tennis Club, it is a great club in the town and they are a friendly and approachable group who work hard to make sure they provide more than just a tennis club. Go and have a look, their club is a bit of an oasis in town.
As a final thought – Trevor Bygate talks about the importance of “self-care”. I think he is right, it is important. Give yourself a break. Be kind to yourself. And remember, if you take part in any community work, or just donate a few pennies to a good cause – you are doing something wonderful and good. And if you find time to say a kind word to people, that’s a very worthwhile moment, kind words are often just the thing people need to help through a difficult time.
My experience is that we have a kind town. That’s worth celebrating.
Thank you – and I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying the changing colours of the season.