From TheWhite House by Ray Berry, Mayor of Leighton-Linslade
Despite October tending to be the month when we move into the doldrums – nights getting darker, clocks changing and a long way to Christmas – there’s been plenty going on around the mayor’s office, and lots of good money being raised for my charities.
Many of you will have spotted me and my secretary, Christine Barrow, busily selling tickets for my charity hamper raffle, either on the market or through our local retailers.
The hamper, a gift in itself from Waitrose, raised the princely sum of about £550 by the time it was drawn at my mayor’s charity ball and, against all the odds, it was won by a guest on the night. Congratulations to Dr Shafi and my thanks to him for allowing me to keep the basket – in the words of Arnie “I’ll be back!”.
The charity ball is covered separately, but I do have to take this opportunity to thank all my guests on the evening for their support, the staff at Astral Park for their sterling efforts, the members of Paradox for the excellent entertainment, and my mayoress and her helpers/suppliers for all the finishing touches that made the evening.
The comments from my guests, both on the night and since, prove that Astral Park can and does impress. As a town, we are fortunate to now own and operate a facility which can cater for a range of events, from small private functions up to a table-service dinner for 70-plus guests – with room for a group and dancing!
As I write, we are coming up to Hallowe’en, but I’m really looking forward to having all my grandchildren with me for the Lions and Old Cedarians’ Lodge Bonfire and Fireworks, at Brooklands School next Saturday night, November 8. But please do remember that fireworks ARE dangerous in the wrong hands, so let’s keep our youngsters both aware of the dangers and safe from them.
And my final ad spot: Rock of Ages and Calamity’s Fling are doing a gig for my charities at the Hockliffe Street Baptist Church on Thursday, November 13 at 7.30 pm – if you can take Buddy Holly AND a Ceilidh in one night, this is the show for you. And it’s FREE, although we will be having a bucket collection! Tickets are not required. All welcome.