How quickly the last year has passed – my term of office is nearly completed. I have enjoyed the honour of being The Worshipful Mayor of Towcester. This thriving, vibrant little town has existed since the Iron Age partly because the people have been able to adapt to changes and to accept incomers. Being a route centre will ensure travellers will always be passing through and stopping to visit will increasingly take place.
In Civic terms the main issue has undoubtedly been the expansion plans. Do you remember the extensive consultations so many people attended last summer? I think people's views were noted but very little was changed before the plans were submitted. People as individuals, or in groups, need to continue to liaise with the W.N.D.C. and campaign for what the town needs. The Town Council was instrumental in ensuring the developers attended meetings to answer questions and, with the Towcester Partnership, we will continue to work towards planning for the economic future of the town.
My personal perception is people are concerned most about the relief road being inadequate, the new houses having no easy connection with the town centre and the possibility of flooding. The Town Council's response to the planning application covered all these points and much more. I hope the persistent opinion that all traffic must be calmed and slowed down through the town centre will abate somewhat. We don't want the heavy lorries coming through. Discouraging and making it difficult for cars to drive down this main highway will not help the town at all. Lets hope there'll always be some parking on the Market Square. A few trees and extra seats are not going to encourage passing trade. I have been delighted at the generous response to my fundraising activities for my chosen charities. I regret that personal health issues have meant I have not organised, as I planned to, events specifically for older people and teenagers. I felt my Civic Ball was a great success. The meal and the music were well received and nearly £1,000.00 was raised for my charities. My sincere thanks to the individuals and businesses who so generously donated prizes for the draw and tombola. The main point is everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I also wish to thank the following organisations for their generous donations to my charities over the course of the year:-
As Town Mayor, I have truly appreciated all the events I have been invited to attend. My husband, Philip, has also enjoyed himself (although he might not admit it!) There are always thanks to express to many people at the end of a year in office. Family and personal friends have been massively supportive as have people in Towcester. Dianne, our Town Clerk, has personally supported me – and ‘protected' me at times, much above the call of duty. Liz has been endlessly patient and ecouraging (she can even read my handwriting) and I thank them both. The other person who has been amazing is my Deputy Mayor, Charlie Stanger. Charlie has constantly kept in touch (he travels all over England each day) enquiring as to how I felt and offering to help me in any way. Fortunately I was able to fulfill most commitments but Charlie and his wife Janet were great. I believe Charlie will bring a breath of fresh air to the role of Mayor and I wish him good fortune for his Mayoral year. Finally I recognise each individual must face their personal future using whatever support mechanisms are right for them. For me, the contacts and friendships made and strengthened during my year as Town Mayor mean more that I could ever express. Make sure you all look after the interests of this lovely old town as it belongs to us all, no matter how short or long our time living here.
Cllr Vivienne Baker Town Mayor of Towcester photographs courtesy off Paul Howard Photography
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