Today was exciting but also sad.  We had four types of advertising for this job, a try out at the food festival, Facebook, Bridport News and I did some networking in a local hostelry( the hardest part).  In the end we had eight applicants.  I rung them all to speak to them and gauge their interest but some never answered, some never rang back, one phone number was wrong and eventually I had three serious, keen, candidates.  After talking to them all in the Town Hall, I took them down to Bucky Doo and they each performed admirably in front of the five-judge panel. They all had a script, a bell and a suitable hat.  I must say they all performed so well and the panel had a big job selecting the winner.  The audience in Bucky Doo were amazed, but all seemed to enjoy the proceedings.

After much deliberation we eventually came to a unanimous decision & Jamie Lockhart Giles was selected. All three were so good that we decided to select a Deputy as well , he will be revealed later.  Our third contestant, a super lady, was also fantastic so we are holding her in reserve.  The hardest job I have ever had to do was having to telephone the two runners up that evening & explain that they didn’t succeed.

I know, very well, that John approved our appointment because in the previous weeks he had rung and messaged me several times from his hospital bed, and I went to see him.  He was adamant that we should select a new Town Crier straight away without any delay, and briefed me as to what I should do.  John passed away on Wednesday 1^st July, I am told, in the afternoon when we were doing our selection in Bucky Doo Square of a new Town Crier.  Rest in peace John!

The attached photo shows Jamie being auditioned.

Saturday July 4th – Coneygar Lodge Charity Fete

Janice & I made our way to Coneygar Lodge to attend their annual charity fete.  I was invited by the lady owner’s daughter, Jade.  Jade works in the Electric Palace with me and I was delighted to accept .I particularly like fetes because they are always jolly . We had a super relaxed time enjoying the entertainment, which included , the Deputy Town Criers Morris group & a ‘One Man Band ‘ musician whom we last saw in another haunt of ours , St James Care Home Bradpole. There was a tombola, hamburger stall, raffle & other nick-nacks.  I chatted to some of the residents, we had a nice cup of tea & eventually we rolled home satiated.

The photo shows, on the left, Mr and Mrs Cross, the owners, the Mayor & Mayoress in the centre with James Cross & his wife on the right.

Wednesday  July 8^th  – Talking to the Spanish Students in the Town Hall

I was  thrilled to do this job . Cllr. Nigel Amor came up with the brilliant idea that some of the students,  a group of which, come to Bridport every summer to live with English families in Bridport & nearby towns,  should talk to me & also Cllr Paddy Mooney in the Town Hall.

I was introduced to my group of six young adults by Jon Salsamendi, one of the groups two teachers in charge.  I was first impressed with the group’s appearance; they were all smart, intelligent and all of them, including Jon, spoke perfect English.

They were all a pleasure to be with.  So as not to feel too outdone I first regaled them with a little Spanish:

“Buenas dias, bienvenido a Bridport, Esperamos que disfruten de su estancia aqui!”

“Good morning, welcome to Bridport, we hope you enjoy your stay here.”

I think they approved and they all clapped vigorously.

As an introduction I told them all about my day-to-day activities as Mayor and they had certainly done their homework as they knew more about me and my past jobs than I did myself.  After that they all asked in turn, lots of questions, all about Bridport, the way things work and also about my past adventures as an electrician, entrepreneur, actor, fisherman and musician.  I didn’t hold back and let them have it with both barrels . I must say that that experience was one of the most rewarding jobs that I have undertaken and I hope they gained something from it as well.  As a bonus they even presented me with a box of chocolates which I thoroughly enjoyed watching the football later.

Saturday July  11^th – Bridport Library , ‘Read to the Beat’

The summer reading challenge is a national event that is carried out every year.  This is its 27th  year and the theme this time is ‘Read To The Beat ‘.  Children and young people are encouraged to set a goal to read a number of  books over the summer break.  This year they are all books with a link to music.  The challenge inspires hundreds of thousands of young readers all across the UK to read, books are not only the conventional type but also  Audio and eBooks.  Janice and I went along to open the proceedings.  Firstly, Jamie, our new Town Crier, did a super Cry outside, his second only job, to welcome people in to the building, then I said a few words to the hungry crowd, cut the tape and the fun began.

The attached photo shows the Mayor & Mayoress with Jamie, the new Town Crier  and Claire the library manager on the right.

Saturday July 18^{th –} St Swithun’s Patronal , Feast day Fête 

I was asked to open this charming Fête which was held in honour of St Swithun who was the Bishop of Winchester in AD 852-862.

It is said that if it rains on St. Swithun’s day it means that it will rain for 40 days & 40 nights!  It didn’t rain that day so I am not quite sure, in these drought times, if that was good or bad.

This was a lovely friendly affair held in St. Swithun’s Church Hall, where there was the usual raffle with superb prizes, a tombola, Bric a Brac stall and a lovely cream tea.  Out in the garden was the fabulous St. Swithun’s band in full flow & other stalls such as ‘Splat the Rat’ and a fancy dress competition with three different categories. very young children, middle size ones and big grownups.  Janice was asked to judge the competition and award the prizes and rosettes which she carried out with great enthusiasm.

Everyone had a jolly nice day.

Thursday July 23rd – West Bay, Annual Raft Race

Every local person must know about this day, it certainly is and was a stunning spectacle.  There were 20 entrants in total this year and when we arrived, I was asked to go around and talk to them all, which I did, and what a fantastic array of craft the entrants had.  All shapes and sizes taking up the whole area between the kiosks and the green next to the bus stop.  Some were very inventive with one raft being a paddle boat version propelled by a bicycle.  It was all great fun.  I managed to get wet while carrying out the inspection but luckily avoided a drenching during the race itself, which I started by blowing an air horn.  There were several cups to present to the winners afterwards and these included, first and second place, best dressed, most entertaining raft and the team gaining the most sponsorship.

It was a thoroughly entertaining evening watched buy huge crowds.

Photos provided by Bridport Camera Club.  The race in full swing, presenting the cups and the winning team, Solarport Systems Ltd.

Sunday July 26^{th –} Wareham Civic Service 

A very nice service held in the lovely church of’ Lady St Mary’ in Wareham.  Hymns, prayers and sermons a plenty held in this very ancient church followed by tea and cake in the nearby church hall . Unfortunately, we had to miss that as we had another private engagement to get back to in Bridport.

Thursday July 30^th – Martin Ray Funeral Service, St Mary’s Church

This was a sad day to end this month’s Log.  We have lost yet another ex-Mayor with the passing of Martin Ray.  He was, along with his late wife Maggie, a stalwart of the community and Town Council for many years.  He served as Mayor for two terms and was also Council leader and consort to Maggie when she was Mayor. My heartfelt condolences go to the family.