Arundel Town Council Update in The Bell
Published Spring 2022
From the Mayor’s diary, Autumn-Winter 2021/22
New Councillors
November 11th: We unanimously co-opt two new councillors onto Arundel Town Council. Carolyn Kenney and Oscar Ashton-Konig bring valuable experience and convince us that they can help us to achieve our objectives.
Carolyn and Oscar in their ceremonial robes which date from 1846
Remembrance Sunday
November 14th: Thankfully back to normal this year. Many veterans join the traditional procession with the Macebearer, Councillors, Arundel MP Andrew Griffith and Arundel churches. Pupils from both Arundel primary schools read excellent poems that they have written themselves.
First Aid Training
November 21st:Town Hall staff and some councillors completed their First Aid Training with Platinum Ambulance Service. The day ends on a high when our trainer announces that we are the first-ever class in which everyone has passed their test with 100%.
Presentation to Centenarian
November 23rd: Presentation to Lilian Charman (née Lawrence), the oldest living ‘mullet’. Lilian’s family attend. Lilian tells us how her father came to Arundel as a stone mason at the castle, met her mother and never left. She described dances in the Atherley Chamber in the 1930s and swimming at the Lido and in the Arun until she was in her 80s. We present her with a salver engraved “100 Years young and still going strong”
Community Awards
December 2nd: Following resident nominations we make a posthumous award to Dee Gillin which is received by her son Jason. The Young Peoples’ awards go to James Gray for outstanding work
on the environment and to Izzy Johnson for her support to the 1st Arundel Rainbows. Community Recognition Certificates are presented to Bob Tanner (for his work as Tree Warden and for the Garden Association), John Paton (for reviving the Victoria Institute) and Sharon Blaikie (for making the 2021 Festival happen and for her leadership of the Chamber of Commerce). The Community Cup is awarded to John Munro, whose citation includes his work in founding and leading the Macular Support Group in Arundel. Judging by the applause all of the awards are very popular. John is the first winner who is allowed to take the cup home, which adds £5 to our annual insurance bill!
Arundel at Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 3rd: After threats of lockdown, there is much relief that we can go ahead and many people come to the tree lighting. We use the opportunity to raise money for our local charities and Elevenses collects £250 with only a single collection box. MP Andrew Griffith speaks, carols are sung and Canons David Twinley and David Parmiter lead the prayers and bless the tree. I thank Sharon Blaikie and her team yet again, this time for all they have done to prepare the Chamber of Commerce ‘Arundel at Christmas’ programme.
Christmas Wreath Workshop
December 6th: Our Festive Wreath-Making Workshop goes very well and it is a good kick-off event for the plan to host more resident events in the Town Hall. It is a beautiful building and should be used more.
Schools Christmas Card Competition
December 14th: We lay out the children’s cards in the Atherley Chamber. There is outstanding artistic talent in both schools, and we struggle to choose the winners. Eventually we get there, and Sharon Blaikie and I visit both schools to present the prizes on the last day of term.
Grant Presentation to Lifecentre
December 14th: For Lifecentre’s PR purposes we present a giant cheque to CEO Kathryn Slatter on the Atherley Chamber terrace. Kathryn speaks to us about the work Lifecentre is doing in Sussex. As Commander John Carter of Sussex Police commented recently, whilst the police can pursue the perpetrators of sexual crimes we need a social shift in society to address violence against women and girls.
T
own’s Christmas Outdoor Display Competition
December 17th: We meet Father Christmas and Charles Smiles whose Tuc Tuc is now decorated with Christmas lights. We start by visiting Bagel & Coffee, joint- winner of the best business display and present them with a £100 cheque for their chosen charity-Chestnut Tree House-and then go to the other joint-winner, Spencer Swaffer Antiques, whose chosen charity is Diagnostic Dogs. Father Christmas and I then head off in the Tuc Tuc and lots of excited children are brought out to see us, although most likely just to see Father Christmas! The prize goes to a fabulous display at 19 Torton Hill Road, whose chosen charity is also Chestnut Tree House.
December Farmers Market
December 18th: Another highly successful market, well-attended without feeling overcrowded. Traders like the new stalls we have purchased with support from Arun District Council. Some traders tell us that Arundel is the best market they attend. Residents say they are pleased that we went ahead with the market despite the Omicron surge.
Children’s Christmas Craft Morning
December 20th: We host our first Children’s Christmas Craft Morning including a story read by Father Christmas and lots of Christmas activities. The Town Hall event team are now considering turning the building into a Winter Wonderland next December.
Stop Press
January 18th: National Highways launch their 8-week A27 Arundel Bypass consultation in our Town Hall. They will then apply for a Development Consent Order in September.
January 26th: Arun District Council debate our 1,500 signature petition asking for support for a safe Arundel-Ford cycle and walking path. The result is they vote unanimously in favour of our project. We are working well with ADC in a number of areas to achieve positive outcomes for our town.
ARUNDEL TOWN COUNCIL
“The Town inspired by Heritage and Nature”