Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Wednesday, 23 May 2007

The final day dawns, and I realise that I've made it to the end, just those steps up to the stage at the Forum to get up unaided and without stumbling.

Not that all the handbags have made it. One is waiting for the clasp to be mended, and another is badly scratched.

I think people thought I would be sad at the year coming to an end, but the date has always been known and it has run its course.

Hair, hat and handbag had to be sorted, speech finished and printed off, and, of course, I did need to make sure that the Mayor's Consort was looking spick and span, not that he ever looks otherwise when on duty.

When Kevin came to pick us up, we were actually completely ready, but have a look on my speech for my comments on "early"!

At the Forum it was meeting guests, but a nice surprise as our grandchildren presented us with the cheque for their sponsored climb of Roseberry Topping. Then I was donning the robes for the last time, and we all processed into the main theatre. I couldn't resist a wave to the grandchildren, who were waving from their box.

Yes! I was up to steps ok, and the meeting started. In no time at all the new Mayor, Councillor Billy Noble, was proposed, seconded, and installed, so we processed out again to the darkened room next to the stage for the robe swapping. Off with the robes and chain, on with the plum hat, and back on stage for the rest of the proceedings. I was very touched with the vote of thanks from Maureen and Ken, although a little worried - chunks of what I was going to say were in what they said! Well, on with the final speech. I rarely have one written out fully beforehand, and I altered it as I went through. I've kept all the bits in, and it is posted on the side of the blog.

So that was it. End of responsibility. Hang up the handbags and hats.

Or was it?

Well.

The next thing that happened was the election of Deputy Mayor - and yes, you've guessed it from the pictures. The Mayor's Consort had now become the Deputy Mayor, and I am Deputy Mayoress.

So for the next year I support John, hopefully as well as he has me, in his role as Deputy Mayor. And then, if all goes well, he will become the new Mayor next year, with me as his Mayoress.

I haven't really taken in it yet.

I do feel sad now that I have come to the end of this blog. It has been so much part of my life for the last year, and part of the routine every night to sit and write it. I hope that it has given an insight into the life of a Mayor, and what civic life is about, and demystified some things. In addition, not planned, it has helped to build up histories of some of Stockton's people and events. It has helped in putting people and organisations in touch with other organisations, mainly in the voluntary sector.

Maybe I will start my own blog, but it won't be the same.

Maybe I will take up the offer to have it published, I will have to see. I have the Brass Crosby book to write too. In the meantime this blog can be accessed on the Council website by doing a search on "previous mayor" or using the link www.stockton.gov.uk/mayorsblog0607

So thank you all for staying the course and reading the blog, thank you for your feedback, it has been a wonderful year, and I've wonderful memories.

Now will the new Deputy Mayor be getting a handbag ?