Issue - meetings

The Mayor welcomed Mr Peter Turner of Gideons International who presented her with a copy of the Bible.

Referring to the annual cricket match against Maidstone Borough Council, the Mayor thanked all who had participated and was pleased to report that the Cup had been retained for the seventh time.  Councillor Mark Rhodes then presented the Cricket Cup to the Mayor.

Members were advised that it had been a busy time since the last meeting and the Mayor reflected on a number of memorable events including several Year 6 leavers performances and school fetes, Summer Activate and Y2 Crew, the award presentations at Lords Cricket Ground and a World War 1 commemoration service at St James the Great School, East Malling.  The Mayor had also attended a variety of Twinning events, the opening of new defibrillators at West Malling and Hildenborough, the Nepalese Ladies Community Party and the launch of Music @ Malling.  She also referred to the opening of the Memorial Gardens in Tonbridge by HRH The Duke of Kent, the success of the Tonbridge Half Marathon and the opening of Carroty Wood, and thanked Members who had joined her crew in the Dragon Boat Race.

The Mayor concluded with a reminder of the forthcoming Christmas Festival in Tonbridge on 23 November and the switching on of Christmas Lights in West Malling on 30 November.  Her Charity Dinner would be held at Hadlow Manor on 28 February, followed by an Oast Theatre performance of “When We Are Married” on 24 March and a Buckmore Park Karting Evening on 27 April.

The Deputy Mayor then presented the Mayor with an illustrated book of the Bayeux Tapestry received from Mme Nicole Ameline, MP for the Calvados region of Normandy, during a visit to Tonbridge Castle as the guest of Sir John Stanley MP.