Attended the Armed Forces Day in Stockton and had a lovely chat with this group of gentlemen from the Durham Light Infantry.  I hope to visit Seven Hills on Thursday to meet the volunteer from the Friends of the DLI who will be there to help visitors with their research.  The lovely blonde girl entertained us wonderfully with songs from the 1950’s.  It was lovely to see Councillor Mike Dixon, Vice Chair of Durham County Council and his wife there representing Durham.

Dinner with the Mayor of Hartlepool and other Mayors from the area AND four local girls, the fabulous Sea Tones.

A lovely Saturday morning. Opened the Fayre at St. John’s Shildon and then ran the Mayor’s Tombola raising nearly £150.00.

Attended a very moving and inspirational memorial service for Don at The Riverside. What more appropriate place to celebrate the life of this amazing man.

What a wonderful day we had in Shildon today celebrating Armed Forces Day and the re-establishment of the local branch of the British Legion.  I needn’t have worried – I didn’t drop the new standard!  It was a great privilege to meet our two new Chelsea Pensioner friends who had come up from London especially to help us celebrate this important day.  Timothy Hackworth Park looked really good, despite the grey skies.  My thanks as mayor to everyone who made this very special day possible.

Officially opened the new play area in the park. The kid in me had to play!

What a wonderful day we all had to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday at Locomotion, NRM Shildon.  We started with welcoming Queen Alexandra and her husband King Edward VII at the station and then followed the Salvation Army Band, with the scouts, down to the museum.  We had fabulous entertainment from the Tearaways and children from Timothy Hackworth Primary School (dressed in 50’s costumes) who had written poems in the Queen’s honour.  Thank you to everyone who put so much time and effort into putting the day together  – and to Locomotion who hosted the event.