Mr Bill Wright, Braunstone Town Mayor 2002/2003

Mr Bill Wright - Town Mayor 2002/2003

At the Annual Meeting of the Town Council on 23rd May 2002, Mr Bill Wright was invested as Town Mayor for the ensuing year. Mr Wright's chosen charity for the year is PATH (Patient Antibiotic Therapy at Home) whose base is the Glenfield Hospital.

Mr Wright is hoping to raise funds for his charity from events held in Braunstone Town. Any donations you are able to make will be warmly welcomed. Cheques should be made payable to Braunstone Town Council and sent to the Braunstone Civic Centre, Kingsway, Braunstone Town, Leicester, LE3 2PP.

For further details, please contact Mr Wright on 0116 2898054.

PATH

Many patients with chronic chest problems experience frequent infections. This means that they need to come into hospital to receive antibiotic treatment into their veins. They may need to stay in hospital for two weeks while receiving this treatment. Many patients are young and relatively well, despite needing this therapy.

The PATH service was developed to enable these patients to have their treatment at home. The patients come to the hospital and see one of the specialist nurses, a doctor, a pharmacist and a physiotherapist. One of the nurses will insert a flexible line into the patient's arm to allow the antibiotics to be given into the vein. The patient, or their care giver, is then taught how to give the intravenous antibiotics through the line. When the patient/care giver feels confident to undertake thier treatment at home they are discharged and one of the nurses visits them to provide support and advice. Some patients even go back to work while they are having their treatment and it enables them to be at home in familiar surroundings, with their family.

Town Mayor's Engagements

The Town Mayor has so far attended the following events:-

Blaby District Council Thanks Giving Service to Celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee – 2nd June

Welcome of Mo Mowlam to Braunstone Town as part of her nation-wide tour to promote her book – 7th June

Open of Memorial Seat at Franklin Park for Councillors Sharon Hargreaves and Glen Brown - 20th June

‘At Home Reception’, Blaby District Council – 5th July

Braunstone Town Front Garden Competition – presentation of prizes – 1st August

Official Launch of the Golden Jubilee Walks – 17th August

Thorpe Astley Community Partnership’s ‘Picnic in the Park’ – 18th August

The Royal Air Forces’ Battle of Britain Service – 15th September

Cockney Pride Evening in aid of the Royal Air Forces Association – 20th September

ASDA Tickled Pink (Breast Cancer) Sponsored Cycle Ride - 28th September

East West Community Project – Dinner/Dance – 29th September

Harvest Community Church - Group visit - 29th September

Braunstone Swimming Club’s Golden Jubilee Open Sprint – 6th October

Civic Service at Blaby District Council – 27th October

Royal British Legion Leicestershire & Rutland – Festival of Remembrance – 2nd November

Shakespeare Park Bowling Club’s Annual Dinner/Dance – 7th November

Harvest Community Church Drop In - Civic Centre - 8th November

Diwali Celebration – Braunstone Civic Centre – 9th November

Remembrance Sunday, St Peter's Church – 10th November

Presentation to the Monday Over 60s Club – 11th November

Kingsway Primary School, opening of IT suite - 12th November

Kingsway Flower Club, Dinner/Dance - 14th November

Hair & Beauty Evening at the Civic Centre - 5th December

Wyvern Singers/Enderby Band, Christmas celebration - 13th December

Carol Service, St Crispin's Church - For Town Mayor's Charity - 15th December

Hair & Beauty Evening at Braunstone Civic Centre. An enjoyable evening for all on Friday 11th April 2003

The Town Mayor hosted a Vaisakhi Celebration at Braunstone Civic Centre on Friday 25th April. The evening consisted of a meal, Disco and traditional dance display by local young people.

On 27th January the Town Council remembered the Holocaust Memorial Day with the Town Mayor present

Town Mayor Out and About

Councillor Wright enjoys a game of Dominoes with members of the Monday Over 60's Group

The Town Mayor visits the parents and children of the Adapt playgroup that meet on Monday mornings at the Civic Centre

The Town Mayor was present at the Ceilidh and Haggis Supper on 15th February. The evening, as popular as always, was well attended and enjoyed by all. The evening hosted by the Leicester Caledonian Society included music, dance and a traditional Haggis Supper. Net proceeds from the event have been donated to the Town Mayor's Charity, PATH, and the Leicester Caledonian Society.

Braunstone Town Watchers Meeting / Civic Reception

The quarterly Braunstone Town Watchers Meeting was marked by the Town Council in that the Town Mayor, Mr Bill Wright, gave the Town Watchers a Civic Reception to mark the community's official thanks for all the work they undertake in trying to keep Braunstone Town crime free. A vote of thanks was given by Mr Gordon Collin, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for the Kirkland Avenue Street Scheme.

At the meeting the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators took part in an exercise to find ways of helping prevent three of the Town's most reported crimes of 1) Theft of motor vehicles 2) Theft of motore vehicles and 3) Criminal damage. The results of the suggestions / findings, once analysed will be passed to the Town Council's Community Development Committee for onward transmission to the Blaby District Council's Crime & Disorder Partnership.

Town Mayor Meets ABBA

Braunstone Civic Centre hosted a return by Smackee with their Tribute to ABBA on Friday 14th March. The show was a sell out and everyone enjoyed a great evening of entertainment with all the best songs and dance routines of ABBA.

Braunstone Town Mayor, Mr Bill Wright, is pictured here with with two members of Smackee, Dawn Grenville and Margaret Barnes.

Town Mayor's Awards of Merit

Braunstone Town Mayor, Mr Bill Wright, was delighted to present Awards of Merit to members of the local area that had contributed to community through community work, outstanding achievement or who had overcome personal difficulties, at a recent Civic event.

The Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank the residents that contribute to the community and who really make a difference to other people's lives. The Town Mayor was pleased to award the following residents:-

SARAH NAISH - Sarah is a founder member and Secretary of the Braunstone Town Youth Council that has now been running for three years. She has given up much of her free time to the Youth Council and has provided a voice for young people in Braunstone Town. She has worked tirelessly on many projects including discos for young people, lighting on Franklin Park, Community Shelter on Mossdale Meadows and fundraising events. Her work as Secretary to the Youth Council will be a great asset to her in the future. The Town Mayor is particularly pleased to be able to present an Award of Merit to a young person from the community.

FRED GEORGE - Fred is dedicated to helping young people in Braunstone Town and has become a reliable and valued member of the Community. He recognised a need for youth facilities in the Town and helped to set up the Millfield Youth Club. He is now a Youth Worker for both Millfield and Winstanley Youth Clubs and works well beyond the limits of his job description. Fred ensures that young people in Braunstone Town are not forgotten and should deservedly receive an Award of Merit.

ANGUS MCINTOSH - Over the past 13 years Angus has organised the Poppy Appeal collection in the Braunstone Town area on behalf of the Royal British Legion with £81,230 being raised. Over this time he has also worked as a Welfare Officer for the British Legion, visiting the sick and arranging help for families in need. Angus is a dedicated and valued member of Braunstone Town helping those in need and it is a pleasure to reward such service to the community.

LIN BURROWS - Lin is Secretary to the Braunstone Life and contributes regularly to the editorial content of the paper. She is a school governor of Winstanley Community College and has previously been a governor at Caldecote Junior School. She has also helped run the Scout troop at the Barn and assists with the Women on Thursday meetings held at Winstanley School. Lin works tirelessly for many causes in Braunstone Town and deserves recognition for all her work.

NADINE BLIGHT - Nadine has been a volunteer for the Braunstone Town Community Minibus since the scheme was started over 13 years ago and has worked tirelessly as Treasurer for many years. Her enthusiasm and commitment for the Minibus has seen it grow into a much valued and successful community service. Her paid work with the Minibus is only a small fraction of the time and dedication that she gives to the project. Her work for the community of Braunstone Town over so many years deserves recognition.

VI KESBY - Vi is an extremely hardworking, loyal person who has given much to Braunstone Town. Vi has been a teacher at both Millfield and Ravenhurst Primary schools and, after retiring from teaching, she continued to support Millfield School as a Governor, Link Governor and running the Senior Citizens group. She has supported the Millfield Community Association from its outset and is now Vice Chairperson. She is well known and respected by all that know her and it is a pleasure to present her with an Award.

JOYCE AND HARRY SPENCER - Both Joyce and Harry have been involved with the Braunstone Life Community Paper for many years as deliverers, distribution Managers and now as Chairperson and Editor. Harry has also written the regular gardening column for many years. Joyce started and now runs the Women on Thursday group based at Winstanley High School and organises talks, crafts and quizzes for the members. These activities keep the group interested and thriving. Both Joyce and Harry deserve recognition for the time and energy they devote to the Braunstone Life and for Joyce's dedication to a valuable and much loved community group.

ARUNA MISTRY - Aruna is the Chairperson of SWAGAT, an Asian Social group that meets each week at Braunstone Civic Centre. Aruna has co-ordinated the group, promoted and organised trips and social events, arranged talks on health, cooking, arts, fitness and crafts. The group has increased in size from 15 to 45 members in just 8 months due to Aruna's dedication. Aruna had no experience in running a group until the SWAGAT group was formed and she has had to learn to manage the group, motivate the members, apply for funding and learn other necessary skills to keep the group running so successfully. I am very pleased to be able to present her with this Award.

GRAHAM WARNES - Graham works as a Warden for Peveral Court and has achieved so much with the groups he has run and the individuals he supports. Graham has become a fantastic asset to everyone he works with, he is generous of his time and support and is held in high regard by those he has helped and worked with. His work as a Warden extends far beyond his contracted hours as he organises and runs social events for senior citizens of Braunstone Town in his own time. Graham undertakes LOROS Lottery collections that brings him into contact with many local elderly residents and enables him to keep an eye on vulnerable members of the community. The work he does, as trustee of the Volunteer Centre must also be commended. He is a very dedicated and community-spirited person and should deservedly receive an Award of Merit.

JUNE AND KENNETH DAVIES - June and Kenneth Davies have been long-standing Neighbourhood Watch supporters. They were members of the original Neighbourhood Watch support network based at Beaumont Leys Police Station. They have been appointed representatives for Beat 7 in Braunstone Town, on the Braunstone Local Police Unit Support group and are regular supporters and helpers at the Town Council's events. They also carry out voluntary work at both the Police Headquarters Open Days and Beaumont Leys Community Unit and distribute Neighbourhood Watch literature. They are both regular attendees at the Town Watchers support group and it is a pleasure to present this award to them both.

VAL FINE - Val is an active member of the Braunstone Town community and volunteers her time and enthusiasm to help many local groups of all ages. She assists with the Committees at Peveral Court helping senior citizens in the Town. She regularly helps children with reading at Ravenhurst Primary School and runs the canteen, takes the minutes and works on the accounts for a local youth football team, Kingsway Rangers. Her support for so many local groups is commendable and it is a pleasure to reward her hard work and enthusiasm.

DAVID JEPSON - David has been the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for his own part of the Kingsway for many years and, due to his dedication and enthusiasm, he was asked by residents to take on a second area. He patrols the top half of the Kingsway regularly with his dog and has become a locally known "Good neighbour". He is the Beat 3 representative on the Local Police Unit Braunstone Support Group and regularly attends the "Town Watchers" support group meetings. He produces a monthly Neighbourhood Watch newsletter that he distributes to Schemes on the Kingsway and Chislehurst Avenue that includes details of Ringmaster messages, crime figure updates and general interesting reading. This Award of Merit is well deserved.

At the same evening the Town Mayor presented cheques to local community groups which had participated in the Programme of Events.

The Town Council promotes the arts by working in partnership with local groups and good causes. A programme of events is held throughout the Autumn/Spring each year and the Council underwrites the cost of each event and passes on 100% of the net profits to a local group or good causes. The sponsored groups are asked to support the event and assist by ticket sales. The Town Mayor was delighted to present cheques to the following groups:-

* Enderby Band for their concert on 2nd November 2002

* Royal British Legion for the shared proceeds from the Enderby Band
Concert

* Kingsway Flower Club for their Flower Demonstration on 14th November
2002

* Wyvern Singers for their concert on 13th December 2002 with guests,
the Enderby Band
(Fifty percent of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to
the Town Mayor's Charity, PATH)

* Ratby Co-operative Mid Band for their concert at Braunstone West
Social Centre on 24th January 2003

* Leicester Caledonian Society for their Ceilidh and Haggis Supper on 15th
February 2003
(Fifty percent of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Town
Mayor's Charity)

* Shakespeare Park Bowls Club for a concert on 19th April 2003

Presentation of Cheque to PATH

At the Annual Towns Meeting held on 15th May 2003, the Town Mayor was delighted to present a cheque to Angie Richardson and Alision Hargreaves of the Patient Antibiotic at Home Unit Project for funds raised throughout his term in office. The total sum raised was £3,700.

Angie and Alison were delighted with the sum raised which their department intended to purchase vital equipment to support the provision of care to patients within their unit.