Town Mayor, Cllr Neil Marshall hosted his second Town Mayor’s Annual Reception on 13th June as part of the town’s Marlow Town Regatta & Festival weekend.
The Mayor invited members of local community clubs and groups to say thank you for all their hard work in enriching the lives of Marlow residents throughout the year. Guests ranged from headteachers through to members of fishing clubs. Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire together with the High Sheriff,of Buckinghamshire, Mr Alan Westray were present. International visitors included Cllr Mrs Stephanie Thieyre and her family, together with Mr Gilbert, who is the 1st Maire Adjoint in Marly-le-Roi. Her Excellency Mrs. Czako, Ambassador for Hungary attended the Mayor’s Marquee in the Subscribers Enclosure.
The winner of the Sports Personality 2008/09 was announced as Jenna Woolven. Jenna who was nominated by her Sports Director at Sir William Borlase School, is a member of the Reading Ladies Hockey 1st Team who have secured promotion to England Hockey Premier League for 2009/10. She is a member of Sir William Borlase Ladies Hockey 1st team and winner of the Phillip McIntyre Memorial Trophy for the outstanding athlete of the year at the school. She has also been selected for UK Sport Talent Camp at Loughborough University at the beginning of the year. Only a handful of athletes are selected for this across several different sports.
Unfortunately Jenna was already committed to attending an England training camp which she couldn’t miss but her mother Sally Woolven accepted the award on her behalf.
The Mayor then announced that the Community Award was going to Graham Sweet. The award was in recognition of his commitment to the Marlow Hockey Club.
Graham has been Chairman of Marlow Hockey Club for 14 years and, with the strong management team at the Club, has lead the integration of the Men’s, Ladies and Junior sections resulting in a Club which, with 300 members and 21 teams, is at its biggest since its formation in 1909. The focus has been on youth development and there are 200 boys and girls up to the age of 16 receiving coaching and playing matches for the Club. Graham has also fostered strong links with Sir William Borlase’s School and the School Sports Partnership.
The Club has had a very successful year with 3 senior sides being promoted and the juniors attaining 3 County championships and a South of England championship.
The Club boasts a proud history and exciting future. The Club will celebrate its 100th birthday on November 28th this year.
It also has an exciting future with its many youngsters; and as part of the Marlow Sports Club development John Fordham (Sports Club Chairman) and Graham are leading a project to secure the Pound Lane facility from Whitbread plc and establish a much needed all weather hockey pitch which would meet the increasing demands of the Club. In partnership with Sir William Borlase’s School this will provide them with a facility to enhance their already strong hockey tradition. The pitch would also be available to local schools in the Sports Partnership. The overall project will secure a great multi-sports facility for the community which will be used by over 1000 children and ensure that sport is played in the centre of Marlow for years to come.
The Mayor announced that for his current Mayoral year he would be raising funds for a charity called Newlife Buckinghamshire Fund for Disabled Children. The charity provide much needed equipment for disabled children, together with nursing services and up-to-date medical research knowledge. The charity also campaigns and raises awareness of important issues and provides a support role in ensuring that the family of disabled children are heard and do not feel isolated.
Representatives from the Mayor’s last fundraising activities, Michael Baim from the BHF and Fiona McCartan from Hearts & Souls were present to receive cheques for their charities. The Mayor’s Charity Golf Day held in April this year raised £2,256. Additional monies received from his Civic Service, bucket collection at the Carols on the Causeway and donations meant that in total he raised £2,783.
The Mayor then asked Peter Boulton and his partner, Helen Evans, onto the stage. He informed the assembled guests that Peter intended to retire at the end of June after 12 years service. He has been an extremely popular member of this small team not only with his colleagues and Members but with everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him.
Peter plans to devote time to redesigning his garden, enjoying his beloved classic car, a Mercedes SL and is looking forward to spending more time with his partner Helen, his son Lee and his two grandchildren. The Mayor then presented Peter with a retirement gift of one year’s membership of the National Trust for himself, Helen and his grandchildren and garden vouchers on behalf of his colleagues and Members of the Town Council. He then went on to thank Peter on behalf of the Town Council and residents of Marlow for his loyalty and hard work over the years and wished him all the very best for his retirement. |
