Woodbridge Town Council
Report July 2005 - Issue 7
Compiled by Martin Sylvester -Town Mayor
At the beginning of the May meeting of Woodbridge Town Council, I was pleased to be elected by my fellow Town Councillors to the position of Mayor of Woodbridge for the forthcoming year. Each of the Woodbridge Town Councillors are elected by the votes of members of the public in their own Ward, to represent them on all issues and activities which Woodbridge Town Council has responsibility and/or an interest.
As Mayor of Woodbridge, I, together with the Deputy Mayor, seek to ensure that Woodbridge is represented on civic occasions that occur in the Town, within the Suffolk Coastal District Council area and where appropriate, across the county of Suffolk. Our roles particularly support the diverse range of activities which occur within Woodbridge and help influence the decisions taken by others on matters which effect the general well-being and appeal of the Town.
My first report, therefore, reflects a wide range of activities undertaken since my election in May.
Charities play an ever-increasing role within Woodbridge, many are local to the town and all provide increasingly needed assistance across a wide spectrum of town life. In this regard amongst attendance at Coffee Mornings and local branch AGM’s, I have been pleased to attend a meeting of the Woodbridge Tide Mill Trust which Woodbridge Town Council supports to help protect and improve arguably its most important building asset and most photographed tourist attraction in the Town.
Woodbridge is fortunate to have the tremendous contribution made by a number of service clubs whose members do so much for the community. The recent successful Picnic in the Park, for instance, was particularly helped by the inclusion of a thrilling children’s ride run by the local Lions Club.
Through my own involvement with Woodbridge Round Table, I have also been able to bring together charity causes such as the Woodbridge Gateway Club with the fund-raising activities of Round Table. A £1000 donation was made both to this charity and to Suffolk Breakthrough Ray of Hope Campaign (the Mayor’s charity for the year) - at a function held at the Shire Hall.
Concerns in the community are a top priority of the Council. During my year in office, I shall be encouraging the process of dialogue and hopefully progress with connected parties on a wide range of issues. Crime Prevention, the imminent arrival of the 16th Brigade to nearby Woodbridge Rock Barracks, the Skate Board Park and the retention of the toilet facilities in the town are just four of the important areas of particular interest to residents and visitors of Woodbridge.
My report is written immediately following my attendance at the County 60th Anniversary of the ending of the Second World War in Europe, the celebration of the completion of the Cathedral tower in Bury St Edmunds, an evening reception on board the Thalatta visiting the town dock during the Woodbridge Regatta - which deserved better weather - and after the official opening of the multi-million pound extension to Ufford Park, the launch of the latest and fastest DYC Rescue Boat, The Abbey School Speech Day and well directed and performed Summer Concert plays at Queens House and The Abbey.
Whilst writing I have been asked to advise readers that the new cricket wicket at Kingston Playing Field is intended for use by all and was funded by The Play Space Funding Scheme for this purpose - budding England cricketers please note!