The Mayoress and I were at the Marjorie Collins Centre for a Celebration and fundraising event:  “Thanks for my Life”.

The event was arranged by Suraiya Kassamally who is a senior member of the Rotary Foundation.  It was a wonderful evening of entertainment with pianists, violinists and singers.

There was also a marathon raffle with about 20 prizes.

Today I had to say a sad farewell to my Mayor’s Officer, Mr John Evans who officially retired from the Council’s service.

He will be sorely missed but had a good send off from his colleagues and past Mayors.

I was pleased to be able to welcome some more new citizens to the Borough at two Citizenship Ceremonies held at the Town Hall.

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

Following on from the Citizenship Ceremonies I had a meeting in the Parlour with Brendan O’Shea (no relation!) co-ordinator of the Community Music Initiative a series of School music workshops for special needs children.  It was good to hear more about the scheme.

Today the Mayoress and I had a great opportunity to meet other Members of the “Chain Gang” again at the London Mayor’s Association AGM and Reception in the Lord Mayor of Westminster’s Reception Rooms at Westminster.

I was especially pleased to see an old friend and former Redbridge Councillor,  Louise Hyams .

A very busy week was rounded off nicely with the Redbridge International Youth Festival 2010 at the Telford Studio, Redbridge Drama Centre.  The Mayoress and I were delighted to meet the students and actors from Slovenia and the Czech Republic. The group from Lithuania arrived later.

The Telford Studios were funded by Section 106 agreement for development in South Woodford and it was a delight to see it being used in such a way.  This is the only such facility in the Country, the nearest similar studio is in Japan.

A short journey to Havering today for  St Francis Hospice’s 26th Anniversary Birthday Service at The Pepperell Education Centre.  It was a wonderful service and an opportunity for me to meet up with Havering’s Mayor, Cllr Pam Light. We were both happy to be able to celebrate the fantastic work of the Hospice.

I had the opportunity to visit and see first hand the work of the Alzheimer’s Society at the Community Care Advice Centre in Aldborough Road this afternoon.

This fantastic group included patients, volunteers and careers. I was glad of the opportunity to speak to some of the careers at length about their circumstances and my brother who has had Alzheimers for the past five years.

This is a model set up which works very well and I am delighted to be able to support them via my Charity Appeal.

From a 106 year old yesterday to the tiny tots of Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue Nursery today!

It was truly lovely to meet the little ones at their End of Year Concert and Leavers Ceremony in Limes Avenue.  The children gave us a mini concert and we gave out their prizes; a good time was had by all.

This evening I was delighted to be able to attend the Redbridge CVS Five Faiths Presentation at the Town Hall.

Faith and community leaders from the five major faiths of Redbridge – Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism –  had undertaken a six-week course to promote greater understanding and better access to psychological health services in Redbridge and the Presentation evening marked the end of the course.

This event shows the very best of Redbridge with all faiths working together to provide support to those in need.  It is a great model for other Councils.

Today I was in Fleet Street for the London Accident Prevention Council’s 93rd Annual General Meeting & Conference. The Council has just changed its name to the London Road Safety Council and their President, Nick Ross, gave a talk to the packed audience at Bridewell Hall.

Back in the Borough this afternoon for a celebration to mark the 106th Birthday of Freda Brucker at Pinewood Care Home in Manford Way. The Mayoress and I had an opportunity to talk to Freda and her family and friends. It was a joy to meet and talk to her and I she still has all her marbles as they say!