I was pleased to be able to welcome many new citizens to the Borough at one of the regular Citizenship Ceremonies held at the Town Hall.

I had the opportunity to speak to a number of new citizens and they were all very proud to become British.

Just a short walk from the Town Hall for the Diabetes UK Measure Up Roadshow in the High Road.

I was very pleased to see the numbers of people attending and I believe the uptake was very high.  A superb opportunity to bring awareness of the disease to our streets.

The Mayoress and I celebrated my birthday in style by attending the London Symphony Orchestra’s Discovery Anniversary Concert at the Barbican.

It was a super concert with orchestra, singers and youngsters who were in the early stages of their tuition.

Today I had the opportunity to meet ex servicemen at the Essex Regiment Association’s Annual Service of Remembrance and Reunion.

The Parade was led by the  Corp of Drums of King Edward Vi Grammar School CCF and the march past was inspected by Colonel Julian Lacey CBE DL.  After an opportunity to relax and talk to the former servicemen the Harlow Concert Band ended the afternoon appropriately

I was fortunate to have an opportunity to show my respect at our Armed Forces Day event at the Ilford War Memorial.

It was a very fitting tribute to our armed forces personnel and I was delighted to inspect the troops.

The Annual St Peter’s Church Flower Festival in Oaks Lane was in full swing when I arrived.

This is their 30th year and it certainly was a colourful celebration.

There were beautiful displays of floral pictures with various themes; the skill and colour evident in the displays was amazing.

Beating the Retreat

In the evening the Mayoress and I attended The Boys’ Brigade Ceremony of Beating Retreat and Presentation to Queen’s Men at The Royal Hospital Chapel. We were delighted to  watch a  gymnastics display and walk through of the ages of girl guide scouting before the Beating Retreat ceremony commenced.

All in all a wonderful evening of celebration of our young people.

The Mayoress and I were very pleased to see the fantastic results of the students at Redbridge College’s Student Awards Ceremony.

Two inspirational speeches were made by a Nuclear Physicist and a gold medal Paralympian.

Redbridge Handyperson Scheme has just been launched and Atlantic Lodge is doing repairs for residents of over 50 years in the same property. I must say the standard of workmanship is very professional.

It was wonderful to see so many hard working senior and junior scouts at the County of Greater London NE Scouts AGM.  Their service to the community is excellent;  future Councillors possibly?!

The Mayoress and I were honoured and delighted to be invited to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The gardens of Buckingham Palace are fabulous and the weather was beautiful. It was great to see the many guests including Bishops, Mayors and MEPs all queuing to get in! The Queen looked much younger than her years in a stunning lemon outfit.

I was invited to Launch the new Boots opticians in the High Road, Ilford following the merge with Dolland & Aitchison. I must say it is all very high tech and professional.

The Bishop of Barking and I opened the Holy Trinity Fun in the Park day at Barkingside Recreation Ground and rode around in a horse and carriage.   I was pleased to be able to join in all the fun and even managed to score a penalty!

It was very nice to see the camaraderie of the youngsters at the City of London & NE Sector Army Cadet Force 150th Anniversary celebrations at the TA Centre, Gordon Road, Ilford.  It was good to see that although from diverse, and sometimes difficult, backgrounds they work well together.

The weather was wonderful for the Annual Mayor’s Garden Party hosted by Capel Manor College and the Mayoress and I were amongst some 30 other Mayors including the “Chain Gang” and were delighted to have an opportunity to tour the grounds in a horse and carriage.  We had a delightful afternoon, with a very special tea, and I was surprised to hear that the Queen had visited herself just the day before;  arriving in style apparently via a helicopter.

Nora Chase House are celebrating 25 years of caring and this small residential home has gone through all the traumas of ever changing regulations to serve the community.