The Chairman of Harlow Council's diary

Annual Council

2008-05-22T22:24:00.003+01:00

It's the Annual Council meeting tonight, when I hand over the chairmanship to my successor. After the usual apologies and declarations of interest, I ask members to rise for a minute's silence in memory of the fourth serving councillor to have died during the year, Cllr Greg Peck. Then I give my Review of my year in office; and for the first time I use a PowerPoint presentation to give people a glimpse of what I've done during the year.

Then it's time to call for nominations for my successor. It's been thoroughly enjoyable, but I'm quite content to hand over to someone else, and return to the political fray of the backbenches after a year of civic responsibility.

If you've been a regular reader of this online diary, thank you. I hope it's provided something of an insight into what it means to be Chairman of a local authority like Harlow; and that it's been a useful exercise in openness and accountability.

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous future.

Switch off

2008-05-22T22:22:00.002+01:00

From Friday morning, the link to my Chairman's Diary will no longer be visible from the Harlow Council web site, as I'll no longer be Chairman.

The direct address of the diary, should you ever wish to look at it again in the future, is http://chairman-of-harlow-council.blogspot.com

Raising aspirations report

2008-05-21T22:16:00.002+01:00

Tonight I present the final report of my Raising Aspirations project to an invited audience of councillors, members of Harlow 2020 committees and action groups, a number of headteachers, and others. Jackie Sully, Chair of the Harlow 2020 Partnership, has kindly agreed to chair the meeting.

With the support of my advisory group, we've developed a list of seven key issues, and a 'priority focus' for each one. I give a summary of our findings and suggestions for future works; there's a chance for questions and comments; and then a lively discussion over some light refreshments afterwards.

After tomorrow, I won't be in post to have anything more to do with the work of the past year; I hope the ideas and thoughts that went into the project are of some use in helping raise the aspirations of our children and young people for the future.

Pretty as a picture

2008-05-14T17:06:00.002+01:00

I've been asked by Kelly, the council's arts officer, to be part of the team of judges selecting pieces of art for the Open exhibition to take place shortly in the Gibberd Gallery.

I arrive at two, and meet my fellow judges - Julian from the Harlow Art Trust, Colin from GlaxoSmithKline (sponsors of the Gibberd Gallery) and Roman, the artist working on the Market Quarter redevelopment.

There are a lot of submissions, all propped up against the walls of the gallery. Kelly gives us two colours of post-it notes (yellow for yes, pink for no) and we all wander round casting our votes for each piece. The unanimous yes-es are included, the unanimous no-es excluded, and we have a lively debate about the pieces on which our opinions are split.

Every artist can submit up to three pieces of work, and we try not to select all the pieces of any one artist, to give as many local artists as possible the chance to be included. The range is wonderful - amateurs, professionals, abstracts, still lifes (or should that be 'still lives'?), portraits, landscapes, drawings, oils, acrylics, fabrics, and a small collection of sculpture.

It's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and a real credit to the artistic talent of Harlow and its residents. Do pop in and have a look at the exhibition when it opens for four weeks on 31 May.

Breathe Easy launch plans

2008-05-13T08:15:00.002+01:00

Earlier in my year as Chairman, I held a meeting with Dennis Ramshaw from the Epping Breathe Easy group.

Dennis has now written to say that the group is now ready to establish its first presence in Harlow - a drop-in centre for patients and carers, with tea, coffee, and perhaps some gentle exercise to music. This will give the respiratory nurse specialists the chance to have informal contact with patients and carers they might not otherwise meet.

The drop-in will run once a month for three months, and the group will then review how it is going. My successor as Chairman will be invited to attend the launch on Tuesday 3 June at Purford Green Community Centre.

The Langley with the Lamp

2008-05-12T17:10:00.002+01:00

Twelve thirty (or a little after - it took me a bit longer than I'd planned to get home after my first engagement of the day) sees me at the Florence Nightingale Health Centre at Church Langley, for the official opening of the health centre extension.

We stand in the baking heat outside, while we're addressed by speakers including Harlow Health Centres Trust chairman Martin Lawn, and a representative from the hospital's Child Development Centre, which is also located here. A plaque is unveiled inside the building, and then we all troop in for a buffet, fruit juice (with ice - luxury!) and a chance for a chat.

I spend a little time talking to a group of health visitors, who tell me that they're about to be reorganised into teams onto a more geographic basis, which should help improve the service to the clients on their caseloads. I also chat to some of the trustees of the Health Centres Trust, and its business manager. We discuss the idea of setting up a meeting for all councillors with the Trust, which would be really useful. The Trust owns seven of the health centres in Harlow, and therefore it's a key organisation in the health sector in the town.

There's also a scale model on display, of a sculpture by a local artist which will be placed outside the health centre at Church Langley. The artist is on hand, to explain the elements of the sculpture, which reflects some of the architecture and built environment of the town, from Bishopsfield's podium to the old town hall and the new build to the east of the town.

Fibromyalgia coffee morning

2008-05-12T16:25:00.002+01:00

It's a fine day, so once again I've dug the tricycle out, to cycle to my first engagement of the day - a coffee morning at Wych Elm organised by the local group for people with fibromyalgia. I arrive at about eleven, and the event is in full swing.

I've read a little bit about the condition before going along, and it certainly sounds like something I wouldn't want to experience - muscle pain, fatigue, interrupted sleep patterns, poor concentration and memory, and irritable bowel syndrome.

In some ways, it seems similar to ME or lupus; and I've known people with both, and how wearing it is to have to struggle with a chronic condition, especially when some in the medical profession tell you there's nothing wrong with you.

The local group is small, but keen to reach out and help more people with the condition in and around Harlow. They're affiliated to the national Fibromyalgia Association UK but receive no local funding to support their activities, other than what they raise from their members - and they'd love to be able to hire a room once a month rather than meet in each other's houses. I tell them about some of the organisations they can approach either for funds, or for advice on where else to apply.

I'm given a very welcome cup of coffee, and have a brief opportunity to chat with some of the members of the group. Their stories are illuminating - one telling me she accidentally threw a knife across the kitchen during one of the muscle spasms that she gets; another that she has to follow a 'sleep hygiene' routine that requires her not to sleep in the day, however tired she feels, so that she doesn't have a disturbed night as well ('but it still doesn't work', she adds).

I draw the first ticket in the raffle, which is won by Tom - who, incidentally, tells me a very interesting story about the mayoral chain I'm wearing. I also have the unenviable task of awarding gold and silver medals to two little girls who've taken part in the colouring competition - they're sisters, so whichever I prefer as the overall winner there'll be tears before bedtime!

I'd have loved to have stayed, but I have to do some errands at Sainsbury's before heading home, as I have to be at Church Langley for half past twelve and there's no way I'm doing that journey on the tricycle, especially in this heat - you could already stop traffic with the colour of my face.

I really hope the group finds the funds it needs to provide the support it wants to offer to people with fibromyalgia. If you live in Harlow and you've got fibromyalgia, or care for someone who has, and want to find out more, do email the group - they'd be delighted to hear from you.

Hanging around

2008-05-03T18:21:00.001+01:00

I've not really thought too much about what the abseil will be like - which is just as well, because if I had I probably wouldn't have done it.

Nick and Georgina come with me to spur me on - or laugh, I'm not sure which. When we arrive at the Church Langley Water Tower the event is in full swing, and I register and hand over my sponsorship forms for verification.

Once inside the fence round the water tower, we're shown how to put on the hard hat and the belt and strap it round our legs. Then it's into the water tower, and up to the top.

Everyone I've spoken to who has done the abseil says that the going up is the worst bit, especially the ladders at the top, and they're right. The metal mesh staircase is bad enough, with all those holes, but as the tower narrows, they're superseded by three long metal ladders, each with a small safety platform below. I'm afraid at this point I become a total wuss, and let myself be roped up for the final climb up the ladders to the top. I'm particularly embarrassed, as the photographer has managed to climb up ahead of me unaided, with her heavy camera slung over her shoulders.

Out on the top of the water tower, the view is stunning, but I need to concentrate on the next bit of the task. At the edge, I need to get hooked up, then climb through the barriers onto the outside of the ledge. Then I need to turn round, stand on the little ledge just below the rim, then lie on the piece of carpet draped over the lip of the tower. I'm shown how to stop and start the descent by squeezing or releasing the rope - and it's off I go.

It's an amazing feeling, dangling in space, looking round and out - over the motorway, the sprawl of Church Langley, the yellow fields stretching into the distance. It's almost a shame to come down - and the descent is over all too quickly.

I collect my sponsorship forms and certificates, and find the refreshment stall for a well-earned cup of tea and piece of cherry cake, secure in the knowledge that I've raised about £400 for Harlow Stroke Support Group.

Photograph exhibition

2008-05-03T17:15:00.001+01:00

The East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies launches its annual exhibition today in the Gibberd Gallery at a quarter to two. I'm there to say a few words, and open the event.

Malcolm Tinn reads out the roll call of winners and highly commendeds, all presented with their awards or certificates. I don't have much time to browse the display, but I vow to go back, as the quality of the photographs is stunning.

Down to earth with a bump

2008-05-03T12:17:00.002+01:00

Now that the local council elections are over and the council publicity restrictions known in the trade as purdah have come to an end, I'm free to reopen my diary for the last three weeks of my chairmanship of the council.

It's a pity I couldn't report some of the things that have happened over the last few weeks, especially the St George's Day events on 23 April, including my first ever school dinner - at St James' School - afternoon tea at Harlowbury Chapel (amazing how many long-term residents of Harlow don't know it's there, when it's Harlow's oldest building), and the raising of an English pint at The Hare pub.

Anyway, this afternoon at 3:45 I shall be abseiling down Church Langley Water Tower in aid of my chosen charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group. Unfortunately, they don't yet have a JustGiving membership up and running, so you can't donate online, but if you'd like to make a contribution, I'm sure a cheque made out to Harlow Stroke Support Group and sent to me at the Civic Centre, Water Gardens, Harlow CM20 1WG will be much appreciated by a very worthwhile cause.

It's me or the blog!

2008-03-26T13:01:00.005Z

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

2008-03-26T12:55:00.002Z

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

2008-03-25T20:51:00.002Z

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

2008-03-25T17:56:00.002Z

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

2008-03-25T17:48:00.002Z

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

2008-03-23T12:44:00.000Z

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

2008-03-17T22:06:00.002Z

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

2008-03-14T17:01:00.002Z

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

2008-03-13T23:04:00.001Z

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

2008-03-12T22:26:00.002Z

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

2008-03-12T14:39:00.002Z

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

2008-03-11T21:12:00.002Z

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

2008-03-11T17:16:00.000Z

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

2008-03-10T18:16:00.003Z

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

2008-03-10T17:42:00.004Z

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

2008-03-05T23:09:00.004Z

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

2008-03-05T22:55:00.002Z

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

2008-03-05T22:34:00.004Z

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

2008-03-05T22:29:00.002Z

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

2008-03-04T23:23:00.003Z

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

2008-03-04T15:32:00.002Z

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

2008-03-03T15:23:00.002Z

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

2008-03-01T23:28:00.000Z

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.

Honouring the veterans

2008-02-29T21:09:00.000Z

I've been invited to join Harlow's Member of Parliament to help present the Veterans' Service Lapel Badge to a number of local veterans, in an event at the Civic Centre. I arrive at about twenty past five to make sure I'm on time for the five thirty start, to find Nick and most of the recipients and their families already there.

The MP introduces the event, and explains the significance of the Badge. I say a few words about how important it is that the community publicly remembers the courage and service of our veterans. And then we call each recipient (or their representative) up individually to receive their Badge: Mr Ferry, Mr Bailey, Mr Muggeridge, Mr Eaton, Mr Hartley, Mr Janes, Mr Wright, Mr Lawrence, Mr Rodd, Mr Harvey, Mr Brooker, Mr Collins, Mr Letherbarrow, Mr Hourigan, Mr Long, Mr Treadwell, Mr Selfe, Mr Dent, Mrs Dent, Mr Lee, and the relatives of Mr Ceely. It's humbling to meet them all and remember the service they've given their country.

A cup of tea is just what is needed at such an event, so we adjourn downstairs to one of the committee rooms, where cups and saucers and cakes are waiting. There's a coffee and tea machine - one of those ones that you have to post the sachet into and it almost bites your fingers off, and if you forget to put the cup under the spout it all dribbles into the drip tray at the bottom. Each cup takes about half a minute to make, and the inexorable laws of mathematics suggest that it'll therefore take about twenty minutes to finish serving our guests. I do duty at the machine, posting sachets and placing cups, while Nick and one of the MP's staff rush round the tables with the filled cups of tea and coffee and put out little saucers of UHT milk and sachets of sugar.

When everyone's served, we have a little time to talk to the veterans and their families. I'm thrilled to find that one gentleman present was actually involved in the liberation of my home island of Jersey - he tells me how he arrived off St Brelade's Bay on 7 May (the island was liberated on 9 May), and I tell him how my Mum for many years organised the annual remembrance of Liberation Day at the island's memorial to the slave workers of the Occupation.

We gather for a group photo at the foot of the stairs leading to the council chamber, and then disperse for the weekend.

Follow Your Dreams

2008-02-29T13:59:00.003Z

The Follow Your Dreams charity roadshow has come to the Harvey Centre, complete with founder Martin Harris, pirate hats, pirate swords, pirate guns, pirate sashes and pirate treasure chests. Call me prescient, but I'm guessing this is something to do with pirates.

Pupils from Oak View special school in Loughton are there, and each - adorned with skull and crossbones hat or sash and twirling their weapon of choice - takes it in turn to stand on a 'treasure chest' soap box and tell a joke or sing a song, in full view of passers-by. The event has been sponsored by the Park Inn hotel, and in addition to the goings-on from the soap box, there's a big tombola with lots of prizes - with the money raised going to support children with special needs.

I've come directly from two back-to-back school assemblies and I'm off to a meeting at half past eleven, so I can't stay long, but the fun is still in full swing as I leave.

Fairtrade launch

2008-02-27T22:05:00.003Z

More Fairtrade today, with the launch event in the Civic Centre. I give an opening speech reminding people of the process we've been through to become a Fairtrade Town, and the work that's still ahead. There's now a local Harlow Fairtrade leaflet available, which lists all the retailers, cafés and other outlets in the town that sell Fairtrade products. A round green Fairtrade sticker will start appearing in April on the premises of those businesses who deal in Fairtrade goods.

And of course, there's the Fairtrade photo exhibition in the Gibberd Gallery. It's on till 8 March, so do pop along and see it if you can - today has been my first opportunity to view it, and it's great.

Black Gold

2008-02-26T23:47:00.002Z

I've got 7:30 in my diary as the start time for the showing of Black Gold, so I arrive at the Playhouse at 7:15 - only to realise that the showing isn't till 7:45. Still, all the more time to sip a diet cola and to try the samples of fairtrade orange juice and chocolate on show in the Playhouse bar area.

It's a very interesting film, following the story of a coffee co-operative in Ethiopia, home of some of the best coffee in the world - and how their negotiator Tadesse Meskela travels the world to try to find buyers prepared to pay a fair price for his growers' coffee. It's difficult; the big players such as Kraft, Nestlé, Proctor & Gamble and Sara Lee are continuing to push down the price paid to the growers - many of whom are resorting to clear swathes of their coffee groves to make way for 'chat', the local narcotic, which commands a better price than coffee. It's about keeping the wolf from the door after all, and starvation is never far away.

The film is followed by a chance to ask questions of the two directors of the film, Nick and Marc Francis, who spent two and a half years making the film and have now spent another eighteen months travelling round the world promoting it at events like this. Nick and Marc tell us that an education pack for use with the film will shortly be uploaded onto the film's website for use by schools.

It's a fascinating and thought-provoking evening.

Aspirations and Respect

2008-02-26T13:31:00.001Z

The council's 'Respect' team, based at the council's Staple Tye office, has agreed to give me its views about my Aspirations project. Ben, Alan, Terry, Christine, Tracey, Sue and Pete are all there, and have plenty they want to say, based on the work they've been doing in the local community.

It's a wide-ranging conversation, from lack of apprenticeships and careers guidance to the disincentive of high house prices and the importance of positive male role models. We tackle some interesting questions. Has Jo Frost as Supernanny on television broken down the barrier to parents asking for help in coping with looking after their children? Do we spend too much time and resources on a small minority of children, and not enough on the majority?

And Christine suggests a really exciting idea. There's a national project tracking a group of children born in the year 2000 over 25 years. Should we consider setting up our own Harlow study of a group of children born in Harlow's 60th birthday year, to help us track their development and better understand how we can help our children and young people achieve their full potential?

Diary meeting

2008-02-25T18:36:00.000Z

After a morning working at the day job, interrupted by a pleasant half hour at the dentist having my new crown fitted, and a Fairtrade coffee with my friend Ruth at Esquire's, I've got an appointment with my PA Sue. We spend forty minutes going through the next two weeks' diary commitments, sorting out correspondence, and running through the plans for Marcela's presentation about Prague next Wednesday at the Civic Centre.

There are also the three paintings to hang which I've bought from the Chairman's budget - the one of the church at Waterhouse Moor, and the two from the recent 'trees' exhibition by local amateur artists to celebrate Harlow's sixtieth birthday. Sue and I decide where they'll go, and those with more expertise than I at knocking in nails will hang them in the Chairman's Suite as soon as convenient.

There's just time to pop into Monsoon to buy a blouse, before heading off home to join Georgina in putting together a quick supper for the family before heading off to a meeting in my ward. Perhaps a recipe involving Stilton and garlic wasn't the cleverest move - I'll try hard not to breathe on people.

A busy two weeks ahead

2008-02-24T19:33:00.004Z

It's a busy couple of weeks ahead. Not only is my desk swamped with paper and my inbox overwhelmed with email, but I've been working (in my day job) in London for three out of the last four Saturdays, and I've got another one to go this coming Saturday.

Meanwhile, it's Fairtrade Fortnight, and so on Tuesday night I'll be at the showing of Black Gold at the Playhouse, and on Wednesday afternoon there's the launch of the event locally, which this year includes a Celebrity Fairtrade Secrets photo exhibition in the Gibberd Gallery.

(I was pleased to get extra Nectar points at Sainsbury's this morning on my Fairtrade tea, coffee, bananas and chocolate, to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight).

On Friday there's an event in the Harvey Centre in the morning, and another in the Civic Centre before dinner. On Saturday when I get back from working in London I have to be at the Latton Bush Centre in the evening.

The following Monday I have an all-day meeting about my aspirations project, and on Tuesday Marcela and her husband George will arrive from Prague, and Nick and I will take them out to dinner.

On the Wednesday, I'll be speaking to the Harlow Voluntary Sector Forum before the International Women's Day lunch I'm co-hosting; and then it'll be back to the Civic Centre for a special presentation about Prague and the development of our mutual links that Marcela will be giving to invited guests. It's something we've been trying to organise for a long time now, so I'm really pleased it's finally happening.

Then I've been invited to an event organised by the High Sheriff in the evening. And on Thursday I'll be off to Liverpool for work till Sunday.

And that's not to mention my dental appointment tomorrow, my appraisal at work on Thursday, the paid work I've got to do in the coming fortnight, the council committee meeting on Thursday night, the ward-based meetings and visits, letters, emails, phone calls - and little things like shopping, laundry, cooking ...

Budget setting

2008-02-21T23:23:00.002Z

In many ways, this is the most significant meeting of the council year - where the budget is set for the period from April to the following March.

We have a pre-meeting at half past six - myself, senior officers and the three group leaders - to make sure there's as much clarity as possible about how the business of the meeting is going to be organised. As the budget consists of five different items on the agenda, which is already quite long, I suggest that as we've done in previous years, we have one debate on all five items together, and only treat them separately when it comes to the votes.

This is agreed - which is just as well, as the budget meeting still lasts till about a quarter to eleven. There's a question from a member of the public, and several councillor's questions, as well as lots of references from committees. Under the council's rules, I have to ask the council at ten o'clock, and again at half past ten, if they want to carry on and complete all the business - which it appears they do.

Special Council meeting

2008-02-14T23:13:00.002Z

At half past six there's a Special Council meeting to agree which developer the Council is going to choose as its partner to redevelop the north of the Town Centre - a job everyone agrees is very much needed.

This decision has to be taken behind closed doors, because it contains a lot of information that's 'commercially sensitive' - so one of my first duties as Chairman is to read the paragraph of legal gobbledegook which basically means "you have to leave now". We also need to remember not to use our microphones, as they can be heard in the overspill area next door!

We then have a fairly brief meeting - most of the questions councillors want to ask and comments they want to make have already been aired at previous committee meetings - and the Council appoints Stockland Halladale as its 'preferred bidder'.

The regeneration of Town Centre North is now a significant step closer.

Aspirations project

2008-02-13T18:59:00.003Z

A very positive meeting with the TASCC Team at Brays House about my Aspirations project. Michelle sits on the Safer Harlow Partnership, and has been working on a questionnaire asking young people about their views on anti-social behaviour, but also about a lot more including their aims and ambitions, their views of themselves and of Harlow.

It all sounds very connected to the project I'm doing. Michelle kindly agrees to share the results of that survey with me; and I agree to look at organising some kind of joint event in May where she can share the results of the questionnaire with young people, and I can preview some of the findings of my own project.

Meanwhile, about that youth survey. It's been put together on behalf of the Safer Harlow Partnership by youth worker Chloe Simmons, who is keen to receive as much feedback as possible from Harlow's teenage residents. If you're between 13 and 19 and live in Harlow, you can fill in the questionnaire online - but you'll need to do so soon as it closes on 10 March.

Year of the Rat

2008-02-10T17:54:00.000Z

Gong Hei Fat Choy - or Happy [Chinese] New Year! It's the Year of the Rat this year, which according to Mr Man means prosperity - all those prolific little rat babies.

Celebrations at the Chinese Centre at Lower Meadow begin with the usual fusillade of firecrackers in the car park, so loud that the sound rebounds from the flats behind the centre. Then there's the traditional lion dance - two lions this year, on fine form, each operated by two young men as they cavort around grooming themselves, stretching their necks to look about, and unnerving the little children. As part of the dance, each lion has to 'eat' a lettuce, spitting out the shredded leaves, for good luck.

After the dance is over, the crowds gather in the Chinese Centre for speeches - in Cantonese and Mandarin - and Chinese music, and the little girls perform a ribbon dance. I'm invited to say a few words, and I take the chance to thank the Chinese community for their hospitality and the way in which they have integrated so positively into the neighbourhood.

After the music and dancing, there's a splendid lunch laid on by our hosts - meat, rice, noodles, spring rolls, vegetables and an array of desserts made with tapioca, sesame and all sort of other ingredients. The sun is shining, everyone is enjoying themselves, and it seems the Year of the Rat has started very well indeed.

Charity dinner

2008-02-08T23:17:00.000Z

We're collected at six thirty for the journey to Stock, where the Chairman of Basildon Council is holding his charity dinner and dance at the Stock Brook Golf Club. I'm wearing the same dress I wore to the Essex Yeomanry event the other week, but whatever I wore, it still would clash horribly with my unplanned sartorial highlight of the evening - three large bandages on my left hand.

(I managed to scald myself with steam while cooking dinner yesterday, and ended up at Princess Alexandra A&E at ten o'clock at night with my hand cooling in the dog's water bowl - washed, of course. They used some amazing gel on my fingers which soothed them remarkably, and bandaged me up. I had an unexpectedly good night's sleep).

While wandering around with the welcoming glass of Pimms, I end up in conversation with a lady from South Anglia housing, who as well as owning properties in Basildon also do business in Harlow.

We make our way upstairs for dinner; at our table are the Chairman of Tendring and his wife, the Mayor of Thurrock and her husband, a former Chairman of Basildon and his wife, and a couple from Rochford, whom Nick gets on with like a house on fire when they discover a shared interest in dogs.

There's a very large turnout for the event, with Basildon businesses clearly having bought whole tables. The three courses, wine and coffee (fortunately cheese and biscuits has been crossed off the menu) won't help my recently renewed attempts to lose some weight. Still, at least a fellow guest helps me preserve the dignity of my office by preventing me from walking out of the ladies' with the back of my dress caught up in my knickers.

Race for Life

2008-02-06T15:28:00.000Z

There was an advertisement on television last night for the Cancer Research UK's Race for Life event. As I was walking through the Civic Centre this lunchtime I picked up a flyer for it from the reception counter, and I see one of the race events is in Harlow, in the Town Park on Sunday 18 May at 11 o'clock - and sponsored by Harlow Council too. I'm not sure I'm up to a 5 kilometre jog, but I'll think about it - it sounds a great way to see the Town Park, anyway.

Intimations of mortality

2008-02-06T15:23:00.000Z

A lunchtime meeting with Lynn today to start making arrangements for an away-day in early March to start pulling together some of the main themes arising from my Raising Aspirations project. It's the first real indication that my project, and indeed my term of office, will be coming to an end soon.

Women's Day plans

2008-02-05T17:33:00.000Z

Catherine, Caroline and I - chairmen respectively of Uttlesford, Epping Forest and Harlow Councils - have finally managed to get together this afternoon to plan our celebration for International Women's Day. We'll be hosting a lunch in March to celebrate women in public life in West Essex. We've drafted a guest list, decided on timings, and more or less worked out how the event is going to run.

I'm delighted that Marčela, deputy from Prague 15 district, whom we visited in December last year, will be in Harlow while the event is on, so it really will be an 'international' lunch.

Filofax frenzy and Fairtrade Fortnight

2008-02-05T13:26:00.000Z

I don't actually have a filofax - all my information is on my electronic BlackBerry-type gadget - but if I did, it would be having a frenzy today. I've had a while heap of invitations I need to respond to, and my February, March and April really are filling up. I spend some time with my PA Sue today, checking my calendar and deciding which events I can go to and which I can't.

One of the diary emails I receive today contains more information about Fairtrade Fortnight, which starts on 25 February. There'll be a photo exhibition starting on 16 February in the Gibberd Gallery; and of course the Black Gold film at the Playhouse on 26 February. I'll be at both of those - and hope you will too.

Chamber of Commerce

2008-02-05T13:20:00.000Z

I've a meeting with Angela Peppiatt from Harlow & District Chamber of Commerce this morning, to discuss my Raising Aspirations project. We meet in my Chairman's Suite for forty minutes or so, and it's good to hear from someone really enthusiastic about what's happening in Harlow and the difference it can make - the regeneration of the town centre, the Olympics, Harlow Renaissance.

Angela kindly agrees to share information about my project with the businesses with which she is in contact; I hope this will mean the chance to hear from more local employers their thoughts and ideas about how we can help and encourage our children and young people to achieve the very best in life.

Pride in Harlow awards evening

2008-02-01T23:27:00.000Z

There's a run-through at half past six for the Pride in Harlow awards evening. Nick and I arrive a little late (straight from King Du noodle bar), and my co-presenter Tim Humphries from Ten-17 is already there. Microphone: check. Running order: check. Programmes and signing-in sheets: check.

The guests - nominees and people who have nominated them - start arriving, and I spend some time chatting before the event starts; there are plenty of people I know, and some I don't.

We kick off at quarter past seven. Tim does the 'housekeeping' announcements (toilets, refreshments, what happens when), and then I explain the background to the awards. Set up by last year's Chairman, Cllr Greg Peck, to mark Harlow's 60th birthday, these awards recognise people who have gone out of their way to make a difference to our community and make Harlow a place of which we can all be proud.

Each nominee is called up in turn to receive their certificate and have their photograph taken with Tim and myself. Tim reads a few words about why they've been nominated and what they've done for the community.

Then it's time to announce the runners-up, and the winners. Runners-up in the Organisation category are the volunteer drivers for Harlow Community Transport; and the Individual runner-up is Carol Bull, founder of Tegate netball club. The Organisation winner is Harlow & Broxbourne Women's Aid, and the Individual winner is Albert Hobdell of Harlow Neighbourhood Watch.

After the presentations come the group photographs, for the council and for the local press. The larger the group, the longer the process takes, making sure everyone's in the right place, visible, and looking at the camera. Then it's downstairs for a buffet to mingle with the nominees and guests, all of whom say what a great evening it's been. We're so used to reading and hearing negative stories, it's wonderful to have a positive event to promote the many really good things that go on in our town, and the public-spirited people who make them happen.

Congratulations to all those who were also nominated for a Pride in Harlow Award, in addition to the winners and runners-up: Harlow Air Cadets, the Playhouse Ushers, Jon O'Connor, Brenda Taylor, Karen Protheroe, Raymond Spicer, Karen Hansen, Anne Wafula Strike, Kathy Porter, Dr Sue Rogers, Daphne Davidge, Ken Worton, Louise Boittier, and Eamonn Hyde.

Firebreak pass out parade

2008-02-01T14:53:00.000Z

Another group of young people have completed the week-long Firebreak course, and once again I'm invited to the Fire Station for the passing-out parade. There's the usual demonstration of the young people's newly acquired firefighting and teamwork skills, in front of an audience of proud parents, grandparents, friends and relations.

The young people receive their certificates, and then over tea and biscuits there's a chance to chat with them and their families, all of whom are immensely pleased and impressed at what the course has given them.

Well done to the latest Firebreak squad members: Keely, Billy Ray, Gino, Stephanie, Tunay, Robbie, Warren, Samuel, Jack, Ernie, Samantha, Thomas and Hayley.

Holocaust Memorial Day

2008-01-27T17:15:00.000Z

Cllr Ian Jackson from Harlow Jewish Community has asked me to say a few words of welcome at the Holocaust Memorial Day event in the local synagogue this afternoon. This is my speech:

"The word welcome seems to sit uneasily in the context of an event to mark the Holocaust, so instead I will simply say - thank you for being here today.

The primary purpose of this afternoon is to reflect on the terrible events of the Nazi Holocaust of the last century. The Holocaust holds a unique place in history, for the scale and scope of the evil unleashed upon the world. The genocide of millions of people - Jewish, gay, disabled, gypsy or dissident.

We recall the horror of those years, the slaughter of innocent millions, and the hatred that perpetrated it. We recall the courage of those who endured - and of those who defied, who stood up and were counted, who made a difference.

Today is an opportunity to reflect on the victims of that genocide, and also of others more recent, in places such as Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur; to rededicate ourselves to opposing intolerance; and to be thankful for the goodness, the humanity and the selfnessness that has shone even in such darkness."

The theme of the afternoon is Imagine - Remember, Reflect, React. The synagogue is lively not only with the full crowd gathered for the event, but with dozens of coloured and cut-out paper butterflies. The St John Nursing Cadets form a guard of honour to welcome guests; a memorial candle is lit at the front.

Holocaust survivor Rose Gotley reads another of her recollections; youth councillors, the MP and others give readings, including Kuzna Jackson reading the words of John Lennon's popular song Imagine. Children from the synagogue Cheder class read poems and the younger ones show us the work they've done on the theme of "if I could only take one special thing in a suitcase with me, what would it be?"

Rev Noelle Taylor from St Mary at Latton gives a thought-provoking address, and Rabbi Irit reads the Kaddish. Several of us who've been primed by Ian then lay small memorial pebbles in front of the memorial candle - still burning brightly - to represent those killed in the Holocaust and in other genocides. Meanwhile, there's music playing in the background. In the Terezin (Theresienstadt) camp a number of musicians and artists were imprisoned; and quite incredibly, in the midst of all the horror, they wrote and performed music, including this piece, Brundibar, an thinly-veiled opera about children trying to usurp a local ogre. Council joint leader Chris Millington has lent his copy for the occasion, and the effect is quite eerie.

It's a moving ceremony - pause for thought about events that are now over sixty years old, but must never be allowed to be forgotten.

Healthy Living

2008-01-26T16:34:00.000Z

I can't say I'm exactly an advertisement for healthy living myself - I don't smoke and my diet isn't too bad, but I don't get time for exercise and I probably have more than my recommended maximum fourteen units of alcohol a week.

But I've been invited to the Harlow central library to see today's Healthy Living exhibition. It's about as far from the 'shhh' image of libraries as you could get. There's head massage, Yoga Bugs, Harlow Judo Club, stands for Harlow College and Hertford Regional College, Active Harlow, the Primary Care Trust, Shotokan Karate, sufi meditation, Hydrashape-me and more.

Asda, Marks & Spencer, Sainsburys and Tesco have donated free fruit to promote healthy eating; there's a children's fruit trail and quiz - and anyone joining the library today gets a free DVD rental from Essex Libraries and is entered into a raffle with prizes donated by Asda, Sainsburys and Tesco.

The Primary Care Trust has a very nasty-looking jar full of grubby stuff, which apparently represents the annual tar contents of someone's lungs after smoking 20-a-day. Harlow Council's Environmental Health Service is almost as scary, with dead bugs and beetles in dishes, and an ultra-violet machine where you can see just how thoroughly you have (or haven't) washed your hands.

Joanne Smeeth, Darren Smart and Jenny Salisbury from the Essex library service show me round, together with county councillor David Finch. We're photographed holding a bowl of fruit, and I'm photographed with some exercise equipment at the Hydrashape-me stand; and we get a chance to talk to the stallholders.

The invitation was only for half an hour, but there's so much to see that I'm there for over an hour and a quarter. The library is filling up as I leave; the Harlow central library is now the third busiest in the county - after Chelmsford and Colchester - and with everything that's going on today I can see why.

Tree of Life

2008-01-25T14:15:00.000Z

Several months ago, I took part in the first Window Works project in Harlow - Window Jewels in an empty store near Domino's pizza outlet in Westgate Square. Now a new one is about to be installed, at what was Clarks shoe shop in the Harvey Centre.

The inspiration for this latest project is the colourful work of Norval Morrisseau, a Canadian artist inspired by native American designs. Over the last week several groups, including the Friends of Harlow Sculpture, the Magazine Club and the Fifty Club, have been working away in the Gibberd Gallery at the Civic Centre to create a 'Tree of Life' under the guidance of artist Aña Terry.

It's a brilliant design, full of bold colours and vivid images of wildlife, and although at the moment it's all laid out in pieces on the floor of the Gibberd Gallery, it'll be really exciting to see it installed.

Essex Yeomanry

2008-01-23T23:10:00.000Z

I've been particularly pleased during my year in office as Chairman to build relationships with our local TA Centre in Old Road. I went to visit them on parade last year; they provided the guard of honour for my Civic Dinner last October, and I put them in touch with Harlow College to enable them to recruit at the College's freshers' fair.

We've had an invitation from the Essex Yeomanry, one of whose units is stationed at the Centre, to drinks at their office in Lincoln's Inn in central London. It's a much larger event than I'd expected, with mayors and chairs of councils like Harlow and Chelmsford which are home to Yeomanry units, as well as TA officers. We're made very welcome indeed by Major Julian Picton, whom I've met before at Old Road.

Volunteers for the TA have a lot in common with councillors - while holding down a day job, they give their spare time to serve their local community (though of course, the TA volunteers have the added factor of possibly finding themselves sent out to do tours of duty in Bosnia, Afghanistan or Iraq). The Yeomanry seem very pleased that the various mayors and chairs have accepted their hospitality to demonstrate our interest in, and commitment to, the local TA in our districts. It's a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Pride in Harlow

2008-01-23T14:54:00.000Z

My predecessor as Chairman, Cllr Greg Peck, launched a scheme last year (now closed) called the Pride in Harlow awards. Run in association with Ten-17 Radio as part of the town's 60th birthday celebrations, the aim of the initiative was to recognise and celebrate Harlow's special people and their role in helping make Harlow a special place to live.

I've been asked to judge the awards in association with representatives of Ten-17, Freddie and Wyatt. There are a number of nominations and we consider them carefully. The stories are often moving, always inspirational, about people who have made a real difference, whether to their family, a group or organisation, or the town as a whole. It takes a little while, but we eventually agree our winners and runners-up.

The presentation of the awards will take place on Friday of next week, and I'm looking forward to putting faces to names and meeting all these people who have earned the respect and gratitude of those who've nominated them.

Latton Green

2008-01-17T12:37:00.000Z

Half past nine sees me at Latton Green primary school, talking with headteacher Ms Handscomb about my Raising Aspirations project. She shows me some very impressive work the children have been doing as part of something called SEAL - Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. It's an opportunity for children to think and write (and open up a discussion with parents and school staff) about exactly the sort of things I'm thinking about - ambition, self-confidence, determination and motivation.

She also introduces me to the "Schools of Character" programme, something I've not come across before, but which also looks as if it could address some of the issues my project is about. It seems to me that there's something really interesting and valuable happening here, and I'm impressed and delighted.

I welcome the opportunity to take a quick tour of the school. All the classes are hard at work - one class practising handwriting, another recognising words occurring in fairy tales, a third doing PE in the hall. There's a display on the wall organised by the children who are play leaders, who organise games and activities in break times.

Just as I'm about to leave, there's a power cut. So the computers aren't working and the lighting is off, but the more serious question is, will the children get lunch?

Black Gold

2008-01-16T11:14:00.000Z

I've just set up my first-ever event on Facebook, to encourage people to come along to the special showing of Black Gold at the Playhouse on Tuesday 26 February.

The film - being shown in Harlow during Fairtrade Fortnight - is an exposé of the multi-billion dollar coffee industry, and the fight of Ethiopian coffee growers for a fair price.

The 7:45pm showing of this documentary will be followed by a special opportunity to discuss the film with directors Mark and Nick Francis, who will be happy to answer questions about the making of the documentary, the motivations behind it and the lessons that have been learned as a result. The film (alone) will also be shown at 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Ticket prices for the evening showing are £6 (£5 concessions); or £5 (£4 concessions) for the 11am and 2pm screenings. Groups can take advantage of the Playhouse's 4-tickets-for-the-price-of-3 promotion. The running time is 78 minutes.

When Time Collapses

2008-01-15T16:29:00.000Z

I'm rather early at the Playhouse, despite the fact that I've had a meeting with council officers in Redstone House, and then rushed round doing my errands in WH Smith, Nationwide, Accessorize (sister's birthday) and to the Civic Centre to collect some tickets for an event later this month.

My diary says I'm supposed to be at the Playhouse for one o'clock, but in fact the play doesn't start till two - so I settle down in the Playhouse bar with a half of Strongbow and a packet of crisps for my lunch, and to use my phone to update my Facebook status to tell my friends that I'm in the Playhouse bar with a half of Strongbow and a packet of crisps for my lunch ...

The hubbub downstairs is getting louder and louder, and I realise it's the invited audience for this afternoon's play, which includes a clutch (is that the right collective noun?) of Police Community Support Officers.

The play is called When Time Collapses, written by Polly Wright and put on by the Hearth Centre. It's about one family's experiences of what happens when serious mental illness isn't picked up early. It's presented by the Braintree Rethink carers' support group, who have been awarded 'Awards for All' money from the lottery to stage this performance in five towns in Essex - including Harlow.

For those who've seen performances by local theatre group TheatreActive, the pattern is quite similar. In this instance, the actors spend about fifty minutes depicting the story - from the worried mum's visit to the (less than effective) GP, ostensibly about her headaches but really about son Martin's unusual behaviour, to Martin being picked up by the police and referred for in-patient psychiatric treatment. The portrayal of Martin's mental deterioration is amazingly powerful, and as the consultant next to me says, shows very effectively just how frightening the whole experience is for the patient involved.

After the performance, the invited audience - which includes service users and carers, health and social services and other professionals, the police, college students and others - has the chance to discuss in detail the first point at which a professional was involved: the visit to the GP's surgery, and how the GP could have handled it better. The actors then revisited the scene, and acted it completely differently based on the audience's suggestions.

It was interesting to see the drama stimulate a lively debate between the professionals in the audience, especially about whether it was right or wrong for the GP to ask the mum whether she thought her son might have been abusing drugs or alcohol. And it was impressive how well the actors responded to the audience and reflected the suggestions in their performance.

Mental ill-health has come out of the shadows in the last twenty or thirty years, but still often has an unwarranted stigma attached to it. Many of us will have episodes of mental ill-health in our lives (I was on medication for severe depression for over five years in my late teens and early twenties), and it's good that organisations such as Rethink are there, supporting patients and families, and promoting this kind of discussion.

Raising aspirations - have your say

2008-01-14T19:27:00.001Z

As regular readers of my diary will know, my project for this year is about raising aspirations for children and young people. I'm keen to hear what residents of Harlow have to say about this, so there's now a link from the council's front page to an online form where you can answer a few questions and let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.

Nicole Richie's baby

2008-01-13T13:16:00.000Z

I'm phoned by a news agency this morning, asking me for a comment on the news that celebrity Nicole Richie has named her new baby Harlow.

It's good to know that Harlow is now right up there with Brooklyn and Phoenix as places after which celebrities want to name their children. I look forward to welcoming Nicole and baby Harlow to our town as soon as their busy schedule allows.

Trees

2008-01-11T21:54:00.000Z

Tonight is the opening night of a new art display in the Gibberd Gallery. It's by the Serendipity art group, which meets at St John's ARC in Old Harlow, and it's part of the town's ongoing 60th birthday celebrations. They've chosen the subject of trees, and there are some marvellous paintings of local trees, grouped by the area of Harlow they portray.

I'm struck by Moira Jones's paintings of Bishopsfield, where Nick and I lived when we first moved to Harlow; but unfortunately they're not for sale. There are lots of other very recognisable landscapes, though, superbly painted in a variety of media.

In the end I use my Chairman's budget to buy two paintings to mark the town's anniversary - one of trees at St Mary at Latton with the ancient church in the background, the other of water and trees in the Town Park with office buildings in the background. Together they represent Harlow old and new, just right to mark Harlow's birthday.

Awards for all

2008-01-11T21:41:00.000Z

I've been invited to help give out certificates at The Square tonight, as part of the awards evening for young people who have been taking part in the Harlow Youth Council, the Young Essex Assembly, and the Harlow Youth Bank.

Nick and I arrive just before six o'clock, and the room is already full of young people. At about ten past six Bridget calls everyone to order, and the large numbers of certificates are presented. There are many different certificates, from Duke of Edinburgh awards to ASDAN certificates. I'm presenting awards for hours spent on community work - bronze (for 20+ hours), silver (60+ hours), gold (100+) and platinum (200+).

It's great to see so many young people who are enthusiastic about playing a part in the local community, as well as learning new skills which will be immensely useful in their later working lives.

Light Up a Life feedback

2008-01-11T12:44:00.000Z

I've received a letter from St Clare Hospice about the Light Up a Life service at the Civic Centre last month. It says:

"Thank you very much for supporting the Light Up a Life Service at the Civic Centre.

We have had a very good positive feed-back from those who attended the various services saying how much they appreciated the chance to remember loved ones in this way.

The total raised from the Light Up a Life campaign is in excess of £20,000."

Aspirations at Burnt Mill

2008-01-08T21:30:00.000Z

By the time I've chaired a meeting at the Advice Centre, put in a work expenses cheque at the Nationwide, and queued to return a package at the Post Office, I'm running late.

But I have to let the dog into the garden before heading off to my two o'clock meeting at Burnt Mill School, otherwise he'll be sitting there with his legs crossed by the time I get home - so rather than head straight from the town centre to Burnt Mill, I have to get a cab home first, and then another one fifteen minutes later.

My two o'clock meeting is with the head teacher, Mr Chamberlain, whom I've not yet met. My children, now grown up, went to Burnt Mill, but I've not been there since they left five years ago, and a lot has changed. There's a new reception desk - and a new head.

I'm very heartened to hear what Mr Chamberlain has to say about the changes that have been happening at Burnt Mill, and about some of the initiatives being put in place. At half past two, deputy head boy and girl Will and Jess join us - they've plenty to say for themselves, and their contribution to the discussion is yet another insight for my 'aspirations' project.

Happy New Year

2008-01-03T22:23:00.000Z

A happy and prosperous 2008 to everyone. I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year, and weren't struck down by the norovirus like some of my relatives.

Unfortunately, I managed to break my MP3 player on Christmas Eve when I got the lead from the headphone wrapped round part of a Tesco supermarket trolley at the trolley point outside the Playhouse - the damage isn't covered by warranty, and it's not economical to buy a new one as the device has more than doubled in price since I bought it in April; and the new stereo bluetooth headset I ordered online arrived held together with sticky tape (I'm not joking).

Notwithstanding, it's nice to be able to work at my desk to the strains of the 22 new music CDs I've been fortunate enough to accumulate for my birthday and Christmas (Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana by S.E. Rogie is playing as I write, if you're interested).

Now that the holiday is over, I'm spending my spare time clearing and filing some of the heaps of paper, tidying the study, beginning to turn my attention to the 218 emails requiring my attention, and sorting out my diary. My next engagement as Chairman is on Tuesday afternoon, but my diary for January is already very crammed and there are several potential clashes, so I need to be clear what's on and what's not.

Sitting watching TV and reading books over the holiday has played havoc with my back, so I'm off to take some more ibuprofen and get a good night's sleep if I can.

Christmas haven

2007-12-23T19:45:00.000Z

I've been invited by Mick Granger to visit the Christmas shelter on Abercrombie Way. It's a hive of activity, with decorations being put up, furniture moved, and everything being got ready for the week ahead. Bedding has been laid out in the hall, and tables and chairs in the dining room.

Mick tells me how generously the shelter has been supported by firms including Sainsburys and Pitney Bowes. In addition, during my visit, two kindly residents drop in to offer items for the shelter's use, including men's clothing (always extremely welcome) and breakfast cereal. It's all welcome. The first guest of the season, Billy, arrives as well.

Volunteers are always welcome; if you'd like to find out more about how you can help the shelter between now and New Year, do email Mick. And have a very happy Christmas.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-21T22:05:00.000Z

I've got no more engagements as Chairman now till January. It's time to write the final Christmas cards, buy the final presents, stock the fridge - and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year for 2008.

Harlow Stroke Support Group Christmas party

2007-12-21T21:40:00.000Z

My PA Sue picks me up at a quarter to ten; I'm ready for the Stroke Group Christmas party, including the bag with my costume in it for my part in the show.

People are already arriving when we reach the GPCA building on Abercrombie Way, and soon we're busy. Sue shows an unexpected dab hand at applying make-up to male senior citizens, and I'm asked to take everyone's names - but they're arriving so thick and fast it's impossible.

There are glitter wigs, crepe paper hula skirts, party hats and antlers, pantomime dames with balloons stuffed down their fronts; in short, it's a total riot. When people are settled with tea and coffee, the show starts. I've been asked to read out a poem written specially for the occasion by one of the club members - and then there's a series of acts, including youngsters Curtis on guitar and Paige singing, who really impress everyone.

The grand finale of the show is a sing-along to Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody, with - of all things - me at the front dressed like Noddy Holder from Slade, in a blonde mullet wig, glittery top hat and tartan trousers.

Then it's time for lunch. The spread is much appreciated by everyone, and it's also an opportunity for Sue to sell any last-minute raffle tickets for the Chairman's Christmas Raffle in support of the stroke group.

The raffle is drawn after lunch, and - ably assisted by 'Christmas fairy' George in purple tinsel wig - we pick out and announce the winning tickets. Thanks to the generosity of the Harvey Centre Management, Barratt Homes, Kier Harlow, and other local firms, we've got some excellent prizes on offer, and some delighted winners.

After I've gone home, Sue emails me to tell me that the Christmas Draw has raised over £1,400 for the Stroke Support Group, which is fantastic news.

Chairman of Tendring's Reception

2007-12-14T23:45:00.000Z

The Chairman of Tendring District Council, Peter de Vaux Balbirnie, has invited the mayors and chairs of Essex to a Christmas Reception at the Palace Theatre, Clacton. (Tendring is the district council that includes Clacton, Frinton, Walton-on-the-Naze etc).

After a drink in the Chairman's Parlour - the Theatre also serves as the council's civic building - we make our way to the theatre itself for a buffet, wine and an interlude of singing and dancing performed by the theatre youth group.

It's a very convivial event. We're seated at the top table with the mayors and chairs of Uttlesford, Epping Forest, Castle Point, Rochford and Basildon, with whom we enjoy some lively conversation. For most, though not all, of us, this is our last civic function before the new year. The chairman of the County Council is here too - it's a good thing he enjoys carol services, he tells us, as he has about fourteen to go to this month.

I'm off to Jersey tomorrow for a few days, to visit family. My Christmas cards are unwritten, my Christmas presents unbought let alone unwrapped. It's all going to be one mad rush when I get back.

Christmas service for deaf people

2007-12-14T17:20:00.000Z

Just before half past ten, I join the serried ranks of 'mayors and chairs' in Chelmsford Cathedral for the annual carol service for deaf people, organised by the Chelmsford diocese in association with RAD.

The building is packed, lively and colourful. Children with hearing impairments from various schools across Essex have come prepared to do their bit - shepherds in tea-towel headgear, little angels with tinsel haloes, wise men with cardboard crowns.

The whole service is signed; sometimes with the rest of the congregation singing along, sometimes with only the piano to accompany the movement of the hands of the signing choirs. The bishop himself signs the blessing at the end, before we all troop over to a corner of the cathedral for coffee, sandwiches and cake.

It's the most unusual carol service I've been to, and everyone agrees it's great. I've noticed from the programme that the West of Essex seems to be the only part of the county without a regular signed service for deaf people, and one of the clergy from the diocese is at pains to reassure me that they're looking to set something up in Harlow before too long.

Full Council

2007-12-13T23:52:00.000Z

Having a birthday on 13 December means that it often coincides with the final meeting of the Full Council for the calendar year.

The pre-meeting takes place at half-past six, where the Chairman, group leaders, and relevant officers run through the procedural arrangements for the evening. This is something I suggested a couple of years ago; before the pre-meeting was introduced, a lot of council meetings fell into anarchy over procedural wrangles. Now, everyone is clear about who's going to be doing what when. It doesn't - and nor should it - interfere with the right of members and groups on all sides to lob political grenades into Full Council meetings by means of amendments or questions, but it does make the meetings run far more smoothly.

After the pre-meeting I pop downstairs to the mezzanine floor to check with Diane, who runs the Youth Council, about the presentation of certificates I'm doing to the youth councillors. There's a lot of activity in the Gibberd Gallery - it's a private viewing of an exhibition of prints by Ana Maria Pacheco, and the de Merc Choir are singing Harlow 1947, a piece composed by local resident Adrian Jolliffe and featuring the early years of Harlow.

The Full Council meeting starts at eight o'clock as usual. The presentation to the youth councillors goes smoothly, and we gather for a group photograph afterwards. I introduce Sunil as our new strategic director, and he's appointed by the meeting as the council's 'Section 151' officer, who has particular financial responsibilities. Then it's into the rest of the agenda - announcements from the Chairman, changes to the composition of council committees resulting from the recent by-elections, questions from the public, references from committees, questions from councillors, and into the home straight.

The meeting closes at a little after a quarter past ten - and after the meeting has finished, we stay behind for a few minutes to make a farewell presentation to Cllr Kevin Brooks, who will be emigrating next month.

I'd hoped for a slightly shorter meeting on my birthday, as I tell members, but I invite them to the Chairman's suite to have a piece of my birthday cake. I'm also selling raffle tickets for my Chairman's Charity - Harlow Stroke Support Group - and take £51 in sales this evening, all in a good cause.

There's very little of my birthday left by the time I get home at about twenty to midnight.

£1 a ticket

2007-12-13T13:51:00.000Z

Waking up is hard to do on a cold Thursday morning, especially after an evening out in London with my daughter (to see Joseph & His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in the West End), and especially with my germs still making me feel heavy-eyed and congested. Still, a heap of birthday presents, including six CDs - more music for my burgeoning collection - is a great way to start any day.

My cab arrives before ten o'clock to get me to the Harvey Centre, where I'm helping the Stroke Support Group sell tickets for our Christmas raffle. I'm there till twelve, and the team is gratified by how many people stop and buy one or more tickets. There's less than a week now to buy yours - they're available from Reception in the Civic Centre, as well as a number of stores in The High. There are loads of terrific prizes.

Jean explains what she wants me to do for the Stroke Group Christmas party on Friday of next week. At first I thought the virus had affected my hearing, but she said it again and it sounded exactly the same.

Sniff

2007-12-11T20:19:00.000Z

All engagements off today, as my virus really does take hold with a vengeance. I've worked my way through whole packs of tissues, and keep making drinks every hour for my sore throat, and trying to keep warm. The backs of my eyes are hurting.

Harlow is a Fairtrade Town

2007-12-10T22:13:00.000Z

At four o'clock at the Civic Centre, I join Harlow's Fairtrade Town Group to celebrate the fact that Harlow has been awarded Fairtrade Town status. The award is a reflection of the years of hard work put into this by the group, and particularly Cllr Rob Eschle, one of its most vociferous supporters.

Rob and I both give interviews to Ten-17 radio, and both make the same point that it's becoming easier and easier to buy more and more Fairtrade goods in local supermarkets, cafés and shops.

We have a group photo taken with the official certificate. The next big decision will be where to hang the certificate so that it's on permanent display to Harlow residents visiting the Civic Centre.

Harlow on ice

2007-12-10T18:55:00.000Z

It's not every day one gets to open an ice rink. Today is the day, however, and at half past one (having rushed over from a council meeting about concessionary bus travel) I'm outside the Nat West near the market, being photographed with a local family - dad and two small girls - on the temporary ice rink that's been installed for the week.

It's part of Harlow's sixtieth birthday celebrations, and also a cunning ploy to encourage everyone up to the north end of the town centre in the run-up to Christmas. Skate hire is only 50p for a 45 minute session - opening times are on the temporary hut next to the rink.

Anglia TV are supposed to be in attendance, but they've rung and said they're on another job. I meander back along Broad Walk towards the Civic Centre, and find myself waylaid by New Look's collection of shoes. I'm in the middle of trying on a pair when the mobile phone rings - and it's Sue, my PA, to say that Anglia will be at the rink at quarter to three.

It's actually more like quarter past three when Anglia arrive; I'm beginning to freeze as solidly as the rink, and all this standing around isn't doing my burgeoning cold any good. I give a brief interview to Anglia about the rink - goodness only knows what bits they'll use or how I'll sound.

Anyway, if you're in the town centre between now and the end of the week, why not pop along to the rink and have a go?

Hark! the herald-angels sing

2007-12-09T18:04:00.000Z

The Christmas service of the women's section of the Royal British Legion takes place at St Andrew's Church at The Stow. I arrive just in time to slip into a row of seats at the back of the church before the entry of the Standards.

It's a traditional service of lessons and carols, with the MP reading the first lesson, and the minister, Rev Jim Gill, reading the last. The secretary, Elsie, reads a couple of seasonal poems that have everyone chuckling wryly. Then after a concluding carol and the retiring of the Standards, we move into the church hall for a cup of tea and a chat.

Light Up A LIfe

2007-12-08T18:56:00.000Z

The Civic Centre isn't normally open at four o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, but Les and Sandra from the council have very kindly made themselves available so that we can host the Light Up A Life ceremony organised by St Clare Hospice.

The ceremony takes place at the foot of the steps to the Gibberd Gallery, around the Christmas tree and - fittingly for an event for remembering loved ones - the Family Group statue.

I welcome everyone to the event; then Melanie from St Clare talks about the work of the hospice, and lay reader Angela leaders the ceremony, with a couple of carols, a reading and a couple of short prayers during which the lights on the tree are lit. I use the moment to remember my parents, who died in 2003 and 2006 respectively - just as everyone present remembers someone close to them.

Rain stops play

2007-12-08T11:53:00.000Z

Among the aisles at Sainsbury's this morning, I receive a call from Justin at Pets' Corner, to say that in view of the rain, the afternoon's Nativity Play has been postponed for a week, to Saturday 15 December. A shame for me, as I won't be around then to open the event and present certificates - I'm popping home to Jersey for a few days to see relatives before Christmas - but better than getting water in the electrical equipment.

O Come All Ye Faithful

2007-12-07T23:36:00.000Z

Nick and I have been invited to the Epping Forest District Carol Service, at Loughton Methodist Church. It's a light, airy modern building on Loughton High Road, and the service is well attended. We sit with Mayors and Chairs from the county council and surrounding districts and boroughs, and at seven o'clock the service starts.

After an introduction and welcome from Epping Forest chairman Cllr Caroline Pond, the minister leads the proceedings. The church's own singers play a leading part in the service, but the choir of eighteen children from Alderton Junior School in Loughton are clearly the stars of the show, with a couple of modern Christmas songs accompanied on the piano.

Caroline wants to use the service to let people know about Operation Christmas Child, and we're shown a very moving film about the project. Children all over the world receive a Christmas shoe box, packed with small gifts by a giver here in the UK - often the only present the children have ever received. The look of delight on their faces is truly wonderful. Last year thousands of churches, schools, groups and individuals from the UK took part in Operation Christmas Child and helped to send 1.24 million boxes to children in twelve countries.

After the service, we pile out into the entrance hall of the church for hot sausage rolls, mince pies, cake and fruit juice, and a chance to chat.

Employ-Ability

2007-12-06T22:29:00.000Z

The first mince pie of the season - at the Employ-Ability AGM at the Latton Bush Centre. Employ-Ability helps people with disabilities or mental health problems find work, and supports them through the process of job-seeking, interview and induction.

The presentation of the annual report and accounts is brought to life by a couple of real-life stories - of a young woman making a real success of employment with a neighbouring local authority; and of a young man whose placement didn't work out so well. Not every story has a happy ending - but two thirds of Employ-Ability's clients are found work, and two thirds of those are still in post further down the line.

Raffle!

2007-12-05T14:24:00.000Z

Christmas raffle tickets are now on sale for a prize draw in aid of my chosen charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group.

The prizes include one year's free parking at the Harvey Centre, a 15 inch flat screen TV, a £30 M&S voucher, and a meal for two at the Toby Carvery. Thank you very much to the Harvey Centre management, Barratt Homes, Marks & Spencer, Toby, Kier Harlow and all the other generous donors of our prizes.

Tickets are £1 each and can be purchased from the Civic Centre or from various shops and organisations based in Wych Elm and the town centre who have kindly agreed to sell them for us. For full details of where tickets are available phone the Stroke Group on 01279 308313.

The draw will take place at the Harlow Stroke Support Group Christmas Party, which is being held on Friday 21 December 2007 at the GPCA's Abercrombie Centre on Abercrombie Way.

The President's Sporting Club 21st sporting lunch

2007-12-04T16:19:00.000Z

While Harlow has been celebrating its 60th birthday, the President's Sporting Club is celebrating its 21st children's sporting lunch.

Over 600 disabled children and their helpers from special schools are gathered at the Sportcentre for this annual event, organised by the indefatigable Mike Jackson and his wife Helen. It's an incredible sight - not just so many children and carers seated at tables groaning with food and drink, but balloons, clowns, large animal characters and everything else a child could want. There's popcorn, and a candy floss machine; the army is here to lend a hand with the logistics; and Paradise Wildlife Park is here too, with some of its smaller animals and an owl for the children to meet and stroke.

Celebrities including dedicated club president Frank Bruno are here to present awards to children who have been nominated for their sporting achievements at school. Many of them have overcome tremendous obstacles to take part in swimming, football, gymnastics or other sports - and are proud and delighted to meet, and be photographed with, their celebrity heroes. I find myself talking with Eamonn Martin, 1993 London marathon winner, who tells me he's been involved with the sporting lunch since the early 1990s.

After the award presentations, there's a cabaret show, with the entertainer juggling, and his assistant escaping from a padlocked box, and appearing to float in thin air. The show ends with the entertainer spinning fifteen plates simultaneously, including three balanced on sticks held in his mouth. The children are entranced, and it's a brilliant climax to their great day out.

A Rainer day

2007-12-04T14:01:00.000Z

Rainer West Essex is holding an information morning today, to tell local organisations a little about what it does. I arrive at Shield House at The Pinnacles at a quarter to ten, and sit down with a cup of coffee and copy of the Rainer information pack.

At ten o'clock we start, with a presentation by the different members of Rainer staff about the various projects the organisation undertakes. I knew about the Advocacy project, but not about some of the other services provided by Rainer, which range from training for employment to providing a trained volunteer 'appropriate adult' to turn up on an on-call basis whenever a young person is taken to a police station, and parents or other appropriate adults aren't available to support them. Some services which are provided by Rainer elsewhere in Essex aren't yet available in Harlow; let's hope that changes, as they're clearly doing some excellent work.

117 emails

2007-12-03T15:53:00.000Z

Our flight sets off a little early from Prague, so we're back in Harlow by lunchtime. I've not been able to charge up my PDA while we've been away, so when I switch on my computer I find 117 emails waiting for me. It's good to be back ...

A day out in Prague

2007-12-02T23:23:00.000Z

Today is Sunday, and we have an opportunity for some sightseeing. Marčela and Susan meet us at ten o'clock, and we drive into the centre of Prague and up to the castle. On the way, Marčela tells us that she finally left last night's ball at four o'clock in the morning.

We walk through the castle courtyards, admiring the variety of architectural styles built up over the centuries. There's a mass in progress at St Vitus' cathedral in the castle grounds, so we can't go in. Round the corner, a local Czech artist has created an open-air 'betlem' nativity scene from straw - Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, cattle, wise men, everything. We walk down the steps from the castle to the street below, stopping to admire the view over the old city and the Vltava river which flows through Prague.

Marčela points out below the Charles Bridge the high point, way above the shop doorways, to which the city was flooded five years ago in 2002. Since then, flood barriers have been installed. We walk the length of the Charles Bridge, lined with artists and street performers, and find the spot where you have to put your hands and feet just so in order to make a wish.

Lunch - onion soup and goulash for me - is at a typical Prague restaurant, whose walls are lined with cartoons featuring a popular beer-drinking Czech cartoon character. Of course the words are in Czech, but some - mostly the very impolite ones - need no translation!

There's a bustling Christmas market in the old square, and we have an hour to tour all the different stalls, full of Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts. We manage to resist more of the hot mead and mulled wine, but can't leave without trying a trdelnik - sweet dough wrapped on large metal rods, barbecued over coals, slid off the rods so that they're about the size and shape of a wide bangle, and rolled in sugar.

On the way home, we're dropped for last minute shopping at Prague 15's shopping mall, about five years old now, with a large Interspar supermarket, and lots of smaller shops; and we take the tram back to our room.

In the evening, we're collected from our hotel just before six o'clock for the final event of our trip - a dinner at a restaurant a little way outside Prague 15 district, called, unpronounceably, U Srbu. I comment once again to Marčela that the Czech language seems to have only a passing relationship with the concept of the vowel.

The Mayor is hosting the dinner, and welcomes us once again to his district. I reply - in English translated by Marčela - thanking him for our Prague friends' hospitality, and for the opportunity to see so much of what goes on in Prague 15. There are thirteen of us round the table, including the Mayor and his wife, Prague 15's deputies and their partners, and their Chief Executive. Over dinner, Marčela and I have another opportunity to discuss new ways in which the relationship between Harlow and Prague 15 could move forward, to involve more residents and create opportunities for mutual understanding and learning, particularly for children and young people.

We exchange gifts with our hosts, wish each other a merry Christmas, and head back to our hotel for a good night's sleep before the journey back to Harlow tomorrow.

Tour of Prague 15

2007-12-01T23:40:00.000Z

Our first full day in Prague begins with a visit to Rainbow Services - not Harlow's well-known organisation of the same name, but the Rainbow centre in Prague 15 district. It's an amazing facility, consisting of workshops offering a variety of opportunities for people with learning difficulties.

There's a ceramics workshop, with painted tiles and fridge magnets and - very suitably for this time of year - little pottery nativity scenes, called 'betlems' (for Bethlehem). There's a textiles room, with woven items, printed scarves and t-shirts, and jewellery; and a room for making items from paper and card. There's a laundry, a garden items centre, and of course a kitchen and café. We're introduced to the centre manager, and given a tour of the workshops, with the chance to buy some of the items made on the premises as souvenirs and Christmas gifts; followed by coffee and home-made cakes in the centre café, where we hear from the manager how the centre is funded and staffed.

It's time to make a move, and we head off to see the sporting and leisure facilities that are used by our Harlow young people when they go over to Prague on their exchange visits. There are tennis courts and football pitches, all overlooking glorious woodland, with small wooden huts providing basic accommodation. There's a newly-opened restaurant, where we are treated to lunch.

In the afternoon, the local ecological centre is holding an afternoon event to celebrate Christmas. It's based in some old former farm buildings in the old part of Prague 15, old Hostivař, which is to the rest of Prague 15 a little like Old Harlow is to our new town. We're welcomed to the open-air event with a small glass of traditional hot mead, or honey wine, and a small paper cone of roasted chestnuts. We take a look round the outdoor and indoor stalls, selling beeswax candles and honey, elaborately iced biscuits, lavender pillows, dolls, cushion covers, and all varieties of traditional Czech craftware. We also have a chance to sit in the cafeteria and enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a piece of traditional cake, a little like German stollen.

At four o'clock there's an air of expectancy built up. An area of the courtyard has been roped off, a crowd has gathered round, and the outer gates to the yard have been shut. From the stage, a lady in traditional Czech costume gives an introduction in Czech, which Marčela kindly translates for us. The gates are opened, and the Christmas pageant begins, with St Martin (who, you may remember, according to legend cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar) riding in on his white horse. He's followed by other figures in the pageant, including St Lucy, St Barbara, St Ambrose - and the devil himself, who rushes round brandishing his fork and hissing at the little children. All these characters have a role to play in the traditional lead-up to a Czech Christmas - and it's a wonderful event. I can't help feeling it would be great for children at schools in Harlow and Hostivař to meet and teach each other about their Christmas customs.

It's been a busy day, so we're grateful for a brief break at our hotel, before getting changed and heading out once again, for the Prague 15 ball. We're greeted by the Mayor and his wife, with whom we exchange gifts, and settle down at Table 9 with Susan, Marčela and George. There's a band on stage to provide the music, and a couple performing a variety of Latin American dancing, before everyone then gets up to dance. Normally at this time in England we'd be settling down as a family to watch Strictly Come Dancing, a show that has just come to the Czech republic's TV screens - but tonight it's real live dancing. The Mayor asks me to dance, and I manage not to step on his feet too often, while Nick dances with Helen, one of the Prague 15 deputies who toured the Rainbow centre with us this morning.

Not too long after 11 o'clock we decide to head back to our hotel - we need to save some energy for tomorrow, after all. We've seen and learned a lot today, and there are clearly all sorts of future possibilities for links between Harlow and our friends in Prague.

A trip to Prague

2007-11-30T23:38:00.000Z

The cab picks me up from the Study Centre at 11:00 to take myself and Nick to Stansted for our flight to Prague. Great Parndon Community Association has had a relationship with Prague 15 district for nearly ten years now, which the council has become a part of, and when the deputies from Prague 15 attended my Civic Dinner in October, they invited us to pay a return visit.

Susan from Prague 15, a regular visitor to Harlow now, is on the same flight as we are, and we catch up with her at the Easyjet departure gate. She's arranged a car to pick us all up at Prague airport, so when we arrive - after an hour and a half flight - we're whisked off to the hotel in which our Prague hosts have kindly accommodated us during our stay.

After a couple of hours to unpack, shower and change, we're collected for a meal with Marčela and George and Susan at a nearby restaurant. Marčela is the deputy responsible for Prague 15's international relations, and her English is excellent. We enjoy a very pleasant meal, and I have a chance to ask Marčela about her views on how the relationship between Harlow and Prague 15 could develop in the future.

"There'll be no stopping of you!"

2007-11-30T11:26:00.000Z

Today it's the turn of another group of young people to have their say on my aspirations project. I've already heard from Harlow Youth Council; this time, I'm meeting at the Study Centre with a group of about thirty young people from several Harlow schools.

The age range of the young people is varied - there are pupils from Latton Green primary school as well as sixth formers from the secondary schools. But the discussion soon warms up, and - though their experience of life is naturally very varied: some have done their GCSEs and are thinking about university, while others haven't even chosen a secondary school yet - there are plenty of views and ideas.

I hear about worries about the cost of going to university; some very positive views about how schools are tackling bullying; the need for more information about what opportunities are available after school.

I ask who is the most important influence on a young person - their parents? teachers? other adults? There's a variety of opinion, but it's Max from Latton Green who makes the most memorable observation of the morning. The most important person is yourself, he says - because if you really want to do something in life, "there'll be no stopping of you!".

Aspirations

2007-11-29T15:19:00.000Z

This morning I'm meeting a small group of parents, to hear their views about my project on raising aspirations for children and young people. We have a useful discussion, of which Angela from the Community Services department makes copious notes.

It's fascinating to hear different ideas coming from different members of the local community - one that crops up this morning, that hasn't done before, is a discussion about school uniforms. Are they a good thing or a bad thing? Do they discourage children from expressing and valuing their individuality - or do they help create order and discipline and avoid displays of disposable income on designer labels?

Phones 4 Stroke Group

2007-11-28T17:34:00.000Z

When I get home from my various meetings, I'm delighted to find in my council post a cheque for £450 from the council, for Harlow Stroke Support Group. The council has recently renegotiated its mobile phone contracts, and any redundant handsets have been collected and recycled for cash, with the money going towards my nominated charity. Well done and thank you, Harlow Council staff - the Stroke Support Group will I know make excellent use of the money.

Breathe Easy

2007-11-28T17:15:00.000Z

I've heard people talk about something being "as natural as breathing", but there are some people for whom this is far from straightforward. This morning I'm seeing Dennis Ramshaw from the Harlow & Epping Breathe Easy group, who wants to talk to me about lung disease in West Essex.

I'd never heard of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) before, but when Dennis mentions chronic bronchitis and emphysema, these are much more familiar terms.

The Department of Health is currently putting together a "National Service Framework" for COPD, which will describe the sort of care patients with these conditions should be able to expect. It'll include pulmonary rehabilitation and ongoing exercise - which also includes a chance to meet other patients with similar conditions, and to get out of the house and socialise. Lung disease can often confine people to their homes and be a very lonely experience; getting out and about can be very difficult if you've got a wheelchair and oxygen with nasal tubes, or even if your breathing is poor and you react badly to temperature changes or air quality.

The Breathe Easy group is part of the British Lung Foundation, and has been meeting regularly in Epping. It can access funding to get Harlow patients to a Harlow venue for exercise and support, but is now thinking about venues and other practicalities to make it all work. I promise to open up a discussion with the council's sports officer to see what ideas we can put together and what connections we can suggest the group makes - and also to write to the local Primary Care Trust to ask about the incidence of lung disease in Harlow.

Planning for Prague

2007-11-28T17:00:00.000Z

I'm off to the Czech Republic for a few days on Friday, at the invitation of our visitors from Prague 15 district who joined us at my Civic Dinner last month.

In preparation for the visit, I've asked for a meeting with Peter Woolford from the Great Parndon Community Association - who has been responsible for the friendship with Prague 15 since it first began nearly ten years ago - together with council joint leader Cllr Chris Millington and Sue and André from the council's corporate administration team. I want to find out more about how the relationship with Prague 15 began and discuss how we might want it to develop in future.

Peter fills us in on how Prague 15 district first contacted him in 1998, and on the sporting, pre-school and other links that have developed since then. We discuss what help the council might be, in endorsing the links and thereby assisting in gaining external funding to support and develop the various activities.

I'll have the chance to discuss all this with our Prague 15 friends over the weekend, and find out what they want from our relationship. Nick tells me this morning that the weather there is likely to be dreadful. I'm always sceptical about weather forecasts (it may sound like science, but I think it's actually just a pine cone on the Met Office windowsill) but it sounds like I'm going to need to pack a raincoat and stout boots.

If you go down to the woods today

2007-11-25T15:37:00.000Z

Yet another landmark in Harlow's 60th birthday celebrations is the unveiling of a new entrance board at Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, and the planting of some trees - which is also timely as it's currently National Tree Week. I've been asked to do the honours, and to arrive suitably dressed.

Darren, the council's biodiversity manager, is there to greet me, and introduces me to the Harlow Conservation Volunteers, who are on a well-deserved tea break in the conservation centre at the reserve. They tell me all about their work, not just at Parndon Wood, but also at Marshgate Spring, Hawkenbury, and even as far out as Stansted. Their fortnightly Sunday schedule is written up on the whiteboard in the kitchen, and certainly looks varied.

The local press photographer arrives just before one o'clock, and with the help of Julia (nine) and Gemma (five) I unveil the entrance board. It's been made by local art group Creative Space, working with prints done by local children, and is a very attractive and welcoming feature of the entrance to the reserve.

Then it's up to the top of the ridge line between Harlow and Epping, up beyond the top of the crematorium, where the new Sixty Year Wood is being planted to join up Hospital & Risdens Wood with Parndon Wood. Again with Julia and Gemma's help, I plant one of the new trees; then we have a photograph with the conservation volunteers and the new "Harlow 60 Years Wood" nameboard carefully carved by Andrew, one of the conservation volunteers.

On the way down, Darren tells me a little about the history of the wood, including the fact that in the early years of World War II a V2 landed in the wood, leaving a crater. We're also lucky enough to see some of the deer, and Gemma and Julia are excellent guides, telling me about the hides and what you can see from them. The nature reserve also sells charcoal, and can be used for children's birthday parties.

Finally, I meet Sandra, who has come along for the day to try a bit of volunteering to see if it suits her. Who knows, it might be something for you, too?

The abolition of slavery

2007-11-23T22:57:00.000Z

If you thought the abolition of slavery was an event that happened in the history books, you'd be wrong. It's chilling to think that today, in the modern age, over 25million people are enslaved - working for no money, and under conditions of confinement and physical oppression.

The Co-operative Group has asked me to host a film show at the Civic Centre about the subject of modern day slavery. Before we see the film, we have a chance to try some Fairtrade wine, and visit displays by the local Fairtrade group, the local branch of Amnesty, and Anti-Slavery International.

I introduce Julia from the Co-operative Group, who then introduces Graham from Anti-Slavery International. Graham provides a brief explanation of the issue of modern day slavery, and what is being done to combat it.

The film itself tells some dreadful and moving stories. Young men from Mali drift across the border into the Ivory Coast looking for work, and find themselves trapped and enslaved in cocoa plantations, gathering the cocoa crop for export to the west as confectionery, drinking chocolate and flavouring. A group of young men who have been found and freed are interviewed about their experience. One of them says that despite slaving for years for nothing in the plantations, he has never actually tasted chocolate. Asked how he feels about people eating the chocolate made by his slave labour, he says "I feel as if they are eating my flesh".

Little children from the poor areas of Bihar in northern India are kidnapped and transported hundreds of miles away from their families to slave over twenty hours a day in appalling conditions at the carpet looms, producing rugs for export to the west. One distraught couple haven't seen their little boy for five years since he disappeared one day; he is always in their thoughts and they have tried desperately to find him, but to no avail. During the course of the film, a team of investigators locate some illegal looms, complete with enslaved child workers, and mum and dad are reunited with their little boy. Another man, also searching for his son, isn't so lucky.

A group in Washington, in the shadow of the White House, is working to help women kept by wealthy families as domestic slaves - to the complete ignorance of neighbours who don't even know it's happening. And, shockingly for us, the same is also the case in London. These young women have lost all confidence, all sense of self-worth, and even when they're discovered and freed, or manage to escape, they're still fearful.

The film was made before one of the fastest growing slave industries, the trafficking in young Eastern European women exported as forced prostitutes to the West.

There is good news amidst all the horror, though. The Fairtrade mark, of course, means we can buy chocolate and other items knowing that no slave labour has been involved in their production. (And 90 per cent of non-Fairtrade chocolate, the film tells us, is likely to have been made with some slave labour). The Rugmark, promoted in the film by B&Q, is a similar guarantee for rugs - something I didn't know about beforehand. And of course, there's the ongoing work of groups like Amnesty and Anti-Slavery International.

It's a fascinating evening, and concludes with more wine and a buffet, over which we get a chance to chat. One of the guests at tonight's show is local author Hazel Lake, who has just co-written a book about William Smith MP, Florence Nightingale's grandfather, who lived in Harlow with his wife and ten children while he worked with William Wilberforce to help abolish slavery. There is an exhibition of pictures and documents about Smith's work, that can be seen after 10:00 am until Tuesday 27 November, at 50 Herons Wood (telephone 01279 424909).

I'm also reminded by Cliff from Harlow Co-operative Development Agency, who has helped organise the event, to give a plug to HarlowPortal, the new information site set up by Harlow CDA. Which I've now done.

Toys 'R' Us

2007-11-20T15:47:00.000Z

I've got an appointment with the deputy manager at Toys 'R' Us, again to talk about my aspirations project. Embarrassingly, when I get there I find that Craig had the meeting in his diary for the previous week - there's obviously been a misunderstanding, and I apologise profusely, but Craig is kind enough to take some time out of his busy day to talk to me.

The run-up to Christmas really is busy in a toy store - especially with the Nintendo Wii, which I gather is in far more demand than the supplies will allow. (I mention this to the cab driver who takes me home after the meeting, and he tells me about all the difficulties Santa appears to having in getting a Wii for his children this year).

Craig and I talk about work experience, and management opportunities in the store, but the conversation also turns to leisure opportunities for young people, and the need for them to be encouraged to join local groups like scout and cadets, so that they're doing something positive with their time and learning things, rather than just hanging around in public places late into the evening. It's interesting that the same themes seem to be cropping up time and again in the conversations I have.

Youth Council

2007-11-19T23:41:00.000Z

This evening it's the turn of Harlow's Youth Council to give me their views on my 'raising aspirations' project. With the aid of a distinctly wobbly flipchart, I explain to them what it's all about, and ask for their comments on the issues I've raised. They've certainly got some useful observations to make, on careers information, on bullying, on the options available for GCSE and A Level, and plenty more besides. It's been a very useful meeting, and I promise to meet them again before the project is finished, to let them know how it's going.

St John Ambulance

2007-11-18T18:53:00.000Z

To my shame, despite having lived in Harlow for over twenty-five years, I've never before set foot in the church of St Mary at Latton in Mark Hall. That's rectified today, however, as I've been invited to the St John Ambulance nursing division service. Seven new cadets are being enrolled; one member of the division is receiving her Grand Prior award; and Ian Jackson is being instituted as President of the local division.

The church is charming, and while the organ plays before the event begins I glance at the plaques on the walls - short stories of people's lives in the eighteenth century when the building was the parish church. One lady, a widow from Kent, remarried and lived to a ripe old age to be buried with her vicar son. Another is too far away to read clearly, but did she really bear five children before dying at the age of 26?

I hadn't given much thought to the history of the St John Ambulance, but it goes back a long way, to a religious order in the time of the Crusades. The service reflects this, with the promise made by the new cadets, and the Code of Chivalry repeated by all members of the division during the service.

After the service, we adjourn to the church hall, where the cadets are all inspected, and certificates are presented. Over tea, I have a chance to catch up with people I didn't know were involved with St John Ambulance - including Eve, who sold me my BlackBerry in the local T-Mobile shop, and Ami, who was at school with my son Tom.

It's great to see young people learning skills, taking responsibility and doing something worthwhile with their spare time. All credit to them.

Dinner is served

2007-11-16T23:25:00.000Z

Nick and I have been very kindly invited by the Chairman of Essex County Council to dinner in Chelmsford. County councillor Gerard McEwen is holding two dinners, one tonight and one at the end of the month - so tonight we meet up with the first half of the Essex district 'mayors and chairs'.

The venue for the dinner is a delightful, unassuming terraced house in the centre of Chelmsford. You'd walk past it without a glance if you didn't know any different, but in fact it has quite a history. It was used to house the visiting judges who came round to preside over the Assizes - the court sittings that heard the serious cases and passed sentence on the county's reprobates. And it's still used by visiting judges to this day - as well as being licensed for weddings.

It's a beautiful and spacious property inside, and we're a small dinner party of a dozen or so - the mayors and chairs (plus spouses) of Tendring, Uttlesford, and Castle Point; the deputy mayor of Chelmsford and her husband; Nick and myself; and of course Gerard and his wife. It's a very enjoyable evening, and yet another insight into some of the history of our county.