A huge thank you to SGRA Cllr Lesley Howes for her service as Town Mayor.

Throughout the short time I have been a part of the SGRA one thing has been constant, Cllr Lesley Howes has been our Town Mayor! Well like all good things must that came to end this week.

Whilst I’m sure our new Mayor Cllr Cross will do an excellent job, we couldn’t let Lesley’s term end without saying a few words about all the amazing things Lesley has done during her term.

And who better to sum that up than Lesley herself. Thinking about her term as Mayor Lesley said …

‘As out going Mayor of Swanscombe and Greenhithe I would like to post a few words that sum up my term of office.

First I would like to say what an honour it has been to have been Mayor of this very special Town. It has been a memorable and very enjoyable term of office which like my predecessor Cll Harman was unusual in as much as it lasted 18 months instead of the usual 12 months. This was due to restrictions and adjustments necessary because of the COVID pandemic.

During the first 6 months outside activities were restricted and Town Council meetings were largely undertaken remotely. I must congratulate my colleagues for coping with this different way of conducting business and also appreciation must be given to the officers and staff who kept everything going either remotely as by the office staff or physically by our parks staff.

With the help of social distancing, mask wearing and vaccinations, things gradually returned to what is probably described as the new normal.

The main impact on my term of office was something shared by all voluntary organisations, the lack of opportunity to raise funds. However some events were possible. These I tried to tie in with the Theme of Pride in our Town.

A colourful Swanscombe competition, where residents were invited to submit photos of garden, window boxes etc which do help to brighten up our streets, culminated in a Flower, vegetable and craft show where the prize winners were announced.

We were able to hold the regular Christmas Fair, with carol singing in the high street, ( thanks to our local churches) thanks also to local shops who joined in with treats for all. Santa was in his Grotto and despite the uncertainty still around about social gathering, I think all who came enjoyed the opportunity to meet friends and neighbours after a long gap.

I hosted a showing of the film Where the Wild Orchid grows, a film promoting the nature and wild life to be found on our Marshes.

I was fortunate that Christoph was able to host two tours of our Town, St Peter and St Paul’s Church and is also a tour of Greenhithe

The Annual Civic Evening was held at the Leisure Centre at the beginning of April, the Theme this year being Our Town’s Association with The River Thames and I was pleased that the Motley Crew a group of Sea Shanty singers, from Brightlingsea, were able to provide the pre dinner entertainment. They donate their fee to Royal National Life Boat Institute, well done to them. Other entertainment was organised by Our local bugler and a disco by Jamie Reach help the evening along and of course Kelly King kept us well fed.

My penultimate event was a Thanksgiving Service for my term of office which was held at St Peter and St Paul’s Church

In the last couple of months I have been able to visit, Ebbsfleet academy twice, and Knockhall and Craylands primary schools as part of my meet the Mayor programme. I was very impressed with their confidence and how engaged they all were a credit to our Town.

It was with great pleasure I was able to, along with past councillor Ivy Read, to formally open three new areas in Swanscombe park and thank sponsors of fruit trees near the new picnic area.

Other opportunities to promote the work of the Town are too numerous to include.

I have been fortunate to be able to donate to a number of local groups.

I have so enjoyed the last 18 months and would like to thank the Officers of the Town Council and their staff who kept me on track of where I should be and when’.

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do Lesley, the SGRA would be lost without you!