It's me or the blog!

The local elections come round on the first Thursday of May every year. I've had a chat with the council's chief legal beagle, and I must suspend this diary if I'm to be involved in any way in the election campaign.

As a result, this will be my last entry until 2 May, when I'll be into the last three weeks of my year as Chairman - though you'll still be able to access what I've written here up till now. The comments feature will also be switched off.

I'll see you in early May, and thanks for reading.

Rob Eschle's funeral

This morning sees the funeral of Cllr Rob Eschle - the third funeral of a Harlow councillor since the elections last May, and nearly one in ten of the total. A crowd is gathered at Holy Cross church at Brays Grove just before ten o'clock, and it's clear from the numbers present, and the different walks of life from which they come, just how much a part of the community Rob was. After the hymns, prayers, homily, short speech, and communion for those able to receive it, Rob is carried out to the strains of When The Saints Go Marching In. He'll be much missed.

Large object overhead

In a moment of madness, I've offered to abseil from the Church Langley Water Tower in aid of my Chairman's Charity, the Harlow Stroke Support Group. The abseil takes place on the first weekend in May, and all offers of sponsorship in a good cause will be warmly welcomed.

A trip to Harlow Fields

It's many years since I set foot in what's now Harlow Fields School. When my son was under a year old (he's now 24!) and we lived in Bishopsfield, I used to go with him to the hydrotherapy pool there, when they used to open it up to the public for mums and tots swimming. So I'm delighted to have the opportunity to go back, all these years later, and see the school on a typically busy day.

I've been invited along by Mick Granger - he of the homeless shelter at Christmas - who has also invited along Terry Kirkby from Pitney Bowes, and the Herald newspaper. New head teacher Sue Davies, together with several students and staff and parents, is on hand to welcome us, and show us round the school.

Like many special schools, Harlow Fields takes children and young people from age three to 19, from the whole of West Essex, with a range of needs and abilities. We start with the lower school, move to the upper school, and finally the FE department for the 16-19 year olds.

There's some great equipment, like the benches in the science labs; but there are also some very real funding needs. The school needs a replacement minibus, for example, and as we visit the hydrotherapy pool the water is dripping from the roof onto the Herald journalist's head. The minibus is likely to cost around £6,000 - the pool improvements easily ten times that.

Tomorrow is a big day for the school - the annual Wheels Round Town, when each class decorates up a shopping trolley or other wheeled vehicle and takes it on a tour of the local cycle paths. One of the lower school classes is hard at work on its trolley when we pop in; while another is using PECS pictures for an afternoon healthy snack time.

School assembly is at three o'clock, and we're treated to a special performance of the African Gum Boots Dance, followed by some sharing of some of the work the different classes have been doing. It's been a lovely afternoon, and we've been made very welcome.

A cheque from Spice Master

Abdul from the Spice Master restaurant telephones at lunchtime, to ask whether he can meet me today to hand over the cheque the Spice Master kindly offered following the recent charity dinner in aid of Harlow Stroke Support Group.

I meet him at 1:30 in the Civic Centre - thank you to a passing Paul from the Licensing department for taking the photograph of the cheque being handed over!

White Easter

My diary says "Easter Sunday: open Canal Boat family day at the Moorhen". Waking up and taking one look out of the window at the snow gently falling, I thought - that isn't going to happen. I was right. What a shame for the Canal Boat project.

Afghanistan presentation

The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment has returned from Afghanistan, and the Chairman of Essex County Council has invited a whole host of people to County Hall for an event this evening to recognise the operational achievements of our county regiment and garrisoned troops.

In addition to the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, Members of Parliament and the Mayors and Chairs, of course it's the military's evening - and they're there in force, from all ranks and of all ages.

After a welcome drink, and when we're all settled in the Council Chamber, Lt Col Stuart Carver DSO, the battalion's commanding officer, gives a talk about the regiment's tour of duty in Helmand province. There are charts, photos, even video; and we're given a graphic introduction to the conditions in the field of battle, which doesn't shy away from anything. The young men of the battalion clearly deserve our thanks and respect for the tough and dangerous job they've been doing.

After the presentation, there are questions from the audience, chaired by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre - how old are the troops? what are communications with home like? what's the military's view of the Afghan national police? what about opium? - and the Leader of the County Council gives a concluding speech of thanks.

We end with the national anthem, and move into the atrium for a buffet supper and a chance to talk. It's a pleasure to spend time in conversation with a Harlow couple from the Royal Air Force Association; we talk about their experience of life in the services, and the declining number of veterans taking part in organisations for ex-servicemen and women.

Culture of celebrity

In connection with my project on Raising Aspirations, I was interested to read the views of teachers in advance of this year's conference of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

Spice Master

The weather is appalling, and has obviously put off a lot of people who would otherwise have come out to the Spice Master for the fundraising dinner in support of my charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group.

The restaurant is therefore quiet, but the food is really excellent, the entertainment from Hi-Impact lively, and the evening's raffle and auction raise £140 for Stroke Support, with the proprietors Raj and Abdul generously increasing this to £300. I know the money will be well used.

Global XChange

Phil Hanks, whom I met at the Fairtrade event at the Civic Centre a couple of weeks ago, has emailed me about the Global XChange programme he supervises.

Eighteen young people aged 18-25, half from the UK and half from Indonesia, will spend three months in and around Harlow and Bishop's Stortford from March. Volunteers will live and volunteer in cross-cultural counterpart pairs, contributing to community projects and developing greater understanding of the world around them.

Phil is looking for community hosts who can take in a pair of volunteers (one UK and one Indonesian) for up to ten weeks between the end of March and the middle of June. Global Xchange will provide a weekly allowance to contribute towards costs, volunteers who are flexible and fit in with your lifestyle, and support from two programme supervisors.

He's also looking for placements for the volunteers in local community organisations. Again, the volunteers will work in pairs (one UK and one Indonesian) for up to four days a week between April and the middle of June.

If you're interested, do email Phil or call him on 07968 099775.

Charity dinner at the Spice Master

The Spice Master restaurant in Staple Tye is very generously organising a dinner tomorrow night (Thursday 13 March) to raise money for my chosen charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group. For only £23 a head, you can enjoy a set meal and entertainment from girl trio Hi-Impact and their Decades Show.

Tickets can be bought individually or per table - the evening will start at 7.15 pm and finish at approximately 10.30 pm. Book directly with the Spice Master on 01279 423814 or 01279 453511. It should be a great night out!

Cllr Rob Eschle

I hear during the day that Bush Fair councillor Rob Eschle has passed away, following a period of illness. I'm rung by the Harlow Star wanting a comment from me as Chairman of the Council. I tell them: "The death of Cllr Rob Eschle is sad news indeed. Rob was a man with a tremendous sense of commitment to the town and its people, and he will be much missed. One of Rob's passions, on which I worked with him recently, was fair trade – he took the lead in Harlow's application for Fairtrade Town status and it is fortunate that he lived long enough to see it granted".

Aspirations project again

My fourth meeting of the day - after introducing a presentation to a Government minister, going to the monthly get-together of the council reading group, and attending a performance management project meeting - is with Paul from the council's Community Safety team.

We're planning an event to launch the findings of my project on aspiration and attainment for children and young people, and we both come away with some ideas in mind and a list of people to talk to.

I've got an hour and a half to go home and cook a meal for the family - a strange mixture of cod, horseradish, breadcrumbs, lentils and creme fraiche which, surprisingly, seems to work - before the fifth and final meeting of the day.

The world is a dangerous place

Would you accept a drink from a stranger? What would you do if you heard a fire alarm? What's wrong with playing on a building site - or drinking more than a few pints and then trying to walk home safely?

All the Year 6s in Harlow - that's top juniors in old money - have been on Crucial Crew at the Study Centre last week and this week. Organised and funded by the Safer Harlow Partnership, Crucial Crew introduces local 10 and 11 year olds to a variety of personal safety issues, and how they should respond.

I've been to Crucial Crew before, a couple of years ago, but the world changes, and so new scenarios have been introduced. There's a new activity based around 'internet grooming', as well as the more familiar ones such as electricity sub-stations, the 'beer goggles' (which distort your attempt to walk a straight line) and washing your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food. I'm in the company of the High Sheriff of Essex, Lady Diana Kemp-Welch, who demonstrates her usual charm, intellect, and keen interest in all matters to do with young people and community safety.

The Police Community Support Officers are there in force, doing a fantastic job, as are council staff including Patrick who shows us round the ten different activities the children have to do. It's good to see new partners such as Kier Harlow making a contribution to the day - including two of the new apprentices I met last year, when they'd just started in post. One of them is talking very confidently to the children about the dangers of playing on building sites, and the other is operating the 'cherry picker' in which children are being given the opportunity of a ride while wearing their hard hats and fluorescent jackets. I'm photographed by the local press with Laurie from Year 6 on the 'cherry picker' - then there's just time for a quick bite of the buffet lunch and it's home to do some work.

Introduction agency

I've been away in Liverpool for four days, and didn't get back till half past eight last night. I've unpacked, and spread loads of paperwork all over the bed so that at least I can sort it into related heaps.

It's absolutely tipping it down with rain this morning, so rather than walk to Wych Elm for my nine o'clock meeting and end up there looking like a drowned rat, I let discretion be the better part of valour and order a cab.

When I arrive, the Rainbow Services building is locked and the shutters are down. I tap on the door, notice the bell and ring that, and then - getting wet and desperate - thump on the door just as it's about to be opened by a very startled Claire.

Marcela and George, together with Peter Woolford and Susan, have arrived and have been waiting in the car in the Wych Elm car park. We're all welcomed, shown upstairs and offered a very welcome cup of coffee.

We're here - following the presentation Marcela gave last Wednesday at the Civic Centre - to meet Harlow 2020 chairman Jackie Sully, to discuss whether Harlow 2020 would consider itself able to act as an umbrella for Harlow's part of the relationship we have with Prague 15 district. There are so many opportunities for different groups and organisations and interests to meet their counterparts in the partner country, to give and take ideas and experience and widen our horizons. But it needs a co-ordinating body to bring all of this together, to plan it out, to map the relationships between the partners and promote the links between our two districts.

Jackie is very positive, telling us that she has already raised this with the Harlow 2020 Board last Friday, following Wednesday's presentation, and that Harlow 2020 are potentially interested - though of course they want more information and to find out what is expected.

Marcela gives Jackie copies on disc of the presentation she gave last week, and promises to email myself and Peter with more notes for her. We all come out feeling very encouraged that perhaps more residents in Harlow - and in Prague 15 - will be able to benefit from the relationship in future.

High Sheriffs' Awards

At four o'clock, Nick and I are whisked from Harlow to Bocking for the High Sheriffs' Awards, coordinated by the Essex Community Foundation. These awards are for organisations involving young people and community safety - High Sheriff Diana Kemp-Welch talks of 'turning young lives around', and clearly has a heart for young people.

We're in an enormous marquee-type building at the Fennes estate, jam-packed with mayors and chairs of councils, police, fire service personnel, voluntary organisations, young people, the Lord Lieutenant - it's a huge event, with 350 people in attendance. There's just time for a cup of tea, and a chat with Harlow Council's head of legal services, who's also here this afternoon, before we're seated and the award presentation begins.

Diana Kemp-Welch herself is here to introduce proceedings, resplendent in her feathered hat. She's no stranger to Harlow, having co-founded the young people's counselling service Young Concern - which is well represented here tonight by Neil, Jeff, Debbie and Robert.

Other Harlow organisations are also mentioned during the event - the Safer Harlow Partnership nominated for the High Sheriffs' Cup, and Accuro (Harlow Shared Care) actually winning the Essex Volunteer Centres' Award. It's heartening to hear so much about what's going on with young people in Essex, and some really imaginative schemes.

Then it's back into the other part of the marquee for a buffet supper and a chance to chat, before heading back home. It's been a long and busy day, so I hope I'm forgiven for lolling about fast asleep in the back of the car.

Presenting Prague 15

Marcela's purpose in visiting Harlow from Prague 15 district is to give a presentation about the history of the mutual friendship between our two communities, and how it could develop in the future.

We convene in the Council Chamber at two o'clock, and I introduce the event. Marcela has brought her presentation on CD and DVD, to show pictures of visits past, and even copies of the correspondence between Harlow and Prague 15 at the time the relationship was first established ten years ago, as well as film of different aspects of life in Prague. Marcela's husband George manages to get the technology working, which is a great relief.

Marcela's presentation sparks a lively discussion. It's clear that our Prague 15 friends have the benefit that their politicians have been more continuously involved with the friendship links; in Harlow, it's been the Chairman of the Council (who changes every year) who has been involved in the link, preventing any real continuity. More than anyone, it's been GPCA, rather than the council, that's kept the relationship going from Harlow's perspective, which is a lot to place on the shoulders of one community association - and we're all agreed that we in Harlow need to review how we organise our part of the friendship so that we (and Prague) can obtain maximum benefit from it.

We come to the conclusion that we need to talk to Harlow 2020 - the body which involves all the different sectors who could take part in strengthening this relationship. It's a very satisfactory outcome to the afternoon's events, and I'm really hopeful that it will provide the stability needed to see this friendship extend and grow, and involve more and more Harlow residents.

Ladies who lunch

Last summer, the chairmen of Epping Forest and Uttlesford Councils and myself found ourselves seated at the same table at Layer Marney, at an event hosted by the Chairman of Essex County Council. We realised that it was fairly unusual to have three women chairmen of the three councils that make up West Essex, and thought that it might be a good idea to jointly organise a lunch - in the week of International Women's Day - to celebrate women in public life in Essex.

So today's the day, at the end of a lot of planning and preparation. Museum manager Chris Lydamore has kindly allowed us to use the Museum for the lunch, and we have about forty guests - women mayors and chairs of Essex Councils, women council cabinet members and committee chairs, women clergy, women magistrates. Marcela, from Prague 15 district, is also here, as are our guest speakers.

Valda Edmunds from BAA Stansted has brought along Alex, one of the young people who went on a trip Valda organised to refurbish a school building in India. They've brought pictures on their laptop of the project before, during and after, as well as of the sights of life in India they encountered during some seriously extensive bike journeys. Their presentation is lively and informative - and Valda tells me afterwards that she's looking out for host families in the local area to accommodate visiting young people for future exchange visits.

Our other speaker is Anne Wafula Strike. I've come across Anne before, but never heard her speak to an audience - and her personal story, from polio as a child in Kenya to paralympic athlete representing her country in Athens and preparing for Beijing, is amazing and humbling. You could hear a pin drop as she talks.

Then it's time for a light lunch and a chance to look round the beautiful Museum gardens. Our guests are very impressed with the venue, which has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years - and all in all it's been an excellent way to celebrate the role that women play in public life here in Essex.

Harlow Voluntary Sector Forum

Wych Elm at a little before half past ten, for a meeting of Harlow Voluntary Sector Forum. This is the sixteenth meeting I've held or spoken to about my Aspirations project; there's interest and some lively questions. I remind people about my online survey and hand out some copies of the leaflet the council has produced about my project. I'm out just before 11:25, and my PA Sue is already there to collect me for my next appointment.

We nearly do the washing up

As arranged by telephone this morning, we pick up Marcela and George - our visitors from Prague 15 district - a little after seven thirty. I've booked a table for eight o'clock at the Jolly Waggoners in Much Hadham, and we arrive on time - George taking a moment to confirm his suspicion that, yes, our car is a Skoda.

Marcela and George very generously present us with a bottle of Moravian wine, some chocolates, and a photo album of our visit to Prague 15 last December. They've also brought some Czech Republic travel brochures with them, and Georgina is entranced - especially by the mountain scenery.

We enjoy a pleasant meal, introducing George to the delights of bread and butter pudding - albeit a chocolate version on this occasion - washed down with a couple of bottles of wine between the five of us; and run through arrangements for tomorrow and Marcela's presentation at the Civic Centre.

For some reason, the machine for reading my credit card can't connect properly to phone through my card details, so it's just as well that Nick's brought plenty of cash with him. Marcela joked at the beginning of the evening about having to stay behind to do the washing up, and it would have been so embarrassing if she'd been right.

Diary frenzy

This morning passes in a welter of phone calls, emails and text messages. Marcela arrives from Prague today, and Nick and I will take her and George out for dinner tonight. I've got a Voluntary Sector meeting, a lunch, Marcela's presentation and the High Sheriff's awards tomorrow, so I need to make sure I know when I need to be where and how I'm going to get there. The restaurant needs booking for tonight, transport for tomorrow, does Marcela need any computer kit for her presentation? what drinks are we using for the lunch? when do I need to set off from the Civic Centre tomorrow afternoon to get to Bocking? (where is Bocking?) And meanwhile, I'm trying to work (both day jobs!).

Away day

I just about manage to make it to the Latton Bush Centre for my ten o'clock away day to work on my Aspirations project, with Lynn, Jon, Lonica, Angela, Suzanne and Claire.

Jon and I both circulate update reports - his much more finished looking than mine! - and we discuss the issues we've come across so far and start grouping them into categories. All at once the project really starts to take shape, and it seems we've got some themes emerging, from which will develop some potential priorities for action.

We take a brief baked potato lunch, and work till about two o'clock, as people have other commitments. I end up with a pile of written-up flipchart paper to copy onto my computer - Jon has very kindly offered a section of the Harlow Education Consortium 'virtual learning environment' to store the document online so that we can all contribute to it in our own time. And we'll meet again on 1 April to review progress.

Jon tells me that 'aspiration and attainment' is now the top priority for action for the Harlow 2020 Partnership - so clearly people are recognising the importance of focusing on helping our children and young people achieve their potential, which is fantastic.

Festiva Club

This is the fourth Saturday out of the last five that I've had to work in London all day; the 07:09 train from Harlow to Liverpool Street is a depressingly familiar sight now on a Saturday morning. I don't leave the office until quarter to six, and the Underground is all out, so it's a two-bus journey back to Liverpool Street, and the 18:28 back to Harlow.

I'm supposed to be at the Latton Bush Centre at seven o'clock, so I jump straight into a cab at the station and head off to the launch of the new Festiva Club. The Club has been established by local resident Margaret Lumu, whom I've known for many years since she worked for the now defunct Harlow Council for Voluntary Service.

The Club is intended to bring together people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds to organise social events, cultural awareness events and training, informal confidence building sessions and young people's activities, and encourage members of the town's black and minority ethnic groups into volunteering. I see a lot of people I recognise - including Herbert from the Youth Council, Anita from the Chinese Centre, several members of the Harlow Ethnic Minority Umbrella, and Angela Tribe. Angela and I later reminisce that we first met each other over twenty years ago when we took our then infants swimming at a local special school pool!

The launch party is a great chance to chat, and meet new people. I end up in a fascinating conversation with Dr and Mrs Abraham, who tell me all about the Indian Orthodox Church which I knew nothing about.

Margaret introduces the event, I say a few words, the food is brought on (wonderful vegetable curry with rice and breads), Angela speaks about the history of Harlow, and then it's the turn of the guest speaker, Mike Poselay from HM Prison Service HQ. Then there's a fashion show, music and dancing, the bar is open - and having been up since six o'clock in the morning, I decide I really do need to tear myself away and get home for some sleep.