The Mayors Blog

On Wednesday evening the Mayoress and I visited Haven House at Woodford Green for a photo shoot organised by London Area Rotary, who donated toys and gifts to the children there. I donned my robes and we were joined by Trevor Johnson (no relation of the Mayoress), the Rotary District Governor. We had our photo taken with George one the children there and gifts for the Rotary/Have House newsletter.

On Tuesday evening we attended the lighting of a Minorah for the Chanukah Celebations in the Council Chamber at Waltham Forest Town Hall. Lee Scott MP for Ilford North was the guest of honour as it was his grandparents that presented the Minorah. Though inscribed it did not give the date. The proceeds were presided over by Rabbi Rev Cllr Paul Braham and The Rev Stephen Myers gave a short talk on the meaning of the ceremony.

The Mayoress and I attended a London Christmas Concert with the Valentines Singers on Saturday Evening at the Barnardos Church, Barkingside. The choir provided an imaginative and enjoyable programme with Carols, songs and readings about Christmas in London through the ages. We joined in the carols and had a most enjoyable evening.

On Friday evening, the Mayoress and I attended the Redbridge Music Service Christmas Concert at the Town Hall.

The Redbridge Music School Symphony Orchestra, the Redbridge Community Choir and Intermediate Choir gave a wonderful concert of Christmas music and demonstrated why the Redbridge Music Service is held in such high esteem not only locally but throughout the country. Long may it be so.

On Friday morning I attended St John’s Roman Catholic School for children with special needs at Chigwell for the dress rehearsal of their production “The Night Before Christmas”, which will be performed on Sunday.

The children provided a varied programme, which included Walking in the Air, made famous by Aled Jones, though the singer in the animated cartoon The Snowman was Peter Auty a St Paul’s Cathedral Choirboy, Elves at Work, Dancing Snowmen and a Samba Party among other performances. The show ended with a Nativity Play, entitled “The True Meaning of Christmas”.

A thoroughly enjoyable concert. Well done to the children and all concerned.

In the evening, I held my Civic Carol service at The Chapel, Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The service was conducted by the Rev Fr Richard Wyber, curate of St Mary’s with Christ Church, Wanstead. (in the presence of Judge David Radford QC) The Choir was from Braeside Girls Preparatory School, very smartly dressed in the school uniforms and hats. Their singing was absolutely delightful.

After the service Mulled wine and mince pies were served.

I would like to thank the Deputy Mayor and Fr Richard for organising such a lovely service and Judge David Radford QC for allowing us use of the chapel.

The Mayoress and I attended the Co-operative Funeral Service Annual Christmas Memorial Service for the bereaved at Whitta Road in Manor Park. The service was conducted by the Rev Peter Stow.

I was asked to say a few words at the end of the service. It was the highlight of the Mayoral Year, when a lady who had recently lost her husband came up and said how much comfort she had derived from my words.

Earlier in the day, the Mayoress and I had Christmas Lunch in the Staff Canteen in the Lambourne Room at the Town Hall. It was an excellent lunch and thanks are due to Karen Winborne and her team.

On Sunday Evening, the Mayoress and I had the pleasure of joining the congregation for Carols by Candlelight at Holy Trinity Church, Mossford Green, Barkingside.

I had the honour of reading a piece with the Pearly Queen, Peggy Oliver, called Christmas is for Children by Steve Turner. We were also treated to a very good and thought provoking sermon by one of the parishioners.  The Service was conducted by the Rector, Rev Fr Edmund Cargill Thompson.

Following that we had mulled wine and mince pies, hailed as the best mince pies in Barkingside. They were home made had a lovely crusty pastry and mince were not doused with sugar like those you buy in the shops. They really lived up to their billing. Altogether an excellent and most enjoyable service.

Earlier in the day, Cllr Ann Candy and I visited Hatton School in Roding Lane for the Annual Christmas Party for Children with Special Needs organised by the various Lions Clubs in Redbridge. Each Special Needs School takes turns in hosting the party each year.

Before lunch the children were entertained by a lady magician, who held them spell bound. Then we had a light but enjoyable lunch and met the children and helpers.

Father Christmas made his time honoured appearance to distribute toys and gifts and a good time was had by all.

By the Mayoress, Helen Johnson

There are things that children love to do and adults secretly enjoy doing, but will not admit to the pleasure. What may you ask is that ? Why dressing up. There is not a man on this Earth that fails to look a thousand times better in a dinner suit. Likewise adults dressed up in funny costumes releases them from their daily worries.

The Mayor and I went to a Tudor Christmas Banquet, which was hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bexley, Ray and Diane Sams, in aid of their charities Bexley SNAP and Bexley Moorings Project. The venue was the Great Hall, Hall Place, a grand Tudor House in Bexley. We were greeted by the East Wickham Singers in suitable serfs costumes singing for their supper.

Complete with a glass of mead, we mingled with kings, queens, archers and even a executioner complete with a daunting axe. This gave us a chance to try and recognise London’s civic dignatories. As the Mayor was dressed as a king I decided to dress as a jester. This is rather an enjoyable position and I think council meetings could do with a court jester to liven things up!

Peterkin the Fool Jester, dressed in a magnificent outfit, with a codpiece that men eyed with envy and women felt weak at the knees, called us into dinner. We had one plate, a wooden spoon and a knife. A variety of food was served, such as dates with mixed ginger, truckle Cheshire and lob lolly. We finished our feast with real liquorice sticks. The Tudors enjoyed mixing sweet and savoury food together, which we now do not think of doing.

The jester kept us entertained with a variety of tricks and jests.

Normally when in fancy dress the car breaks down, but I am glad to say a king and jester was not seen near the Blackwall Tunnel hitchhiking home!

A memorable evening.