Chris Phillips, Mayor of Ely
I promised, the last time I wrote, to say something about the Mayor's role as an ambassador to other parts of our region. Quite often I get invitations to nearby towns to join mayors in their own communities and it's good both to be able to meet other people working in local government and to see something of what they are doing.
A little while ago, for example, the Mayoress and I were asked if we'd like to go to Wisbech to attend the local Mayor's Civic Service. It turned out to be a very fine visit not only because the service was held at the Throne of Grace Pentecostal church, with all that that meant in terms of lively music and congregational participation, but also because the Mayor of Wisbech is originally from Nigeria and so is writing a whole new chapter in the town's history. In the six years that he has lived there he has established himself as a local businessman, become involved in local politics, been elected to the Town Council and with the backing of his colleagues has been selected first to serve as Deputy Mayor and then as Mayor. It's a good story for that community, and indeed for the rest of us who rejoice in equal opportunity and growing diversity - but it was easy to see from the Mayor's welcoming speech with its emphasis on people coming together for the greater good just why he has made such an impression on the life of his adopted town.
Just a little while ago, back in Ely, we were invited to a function at the Stained-Glass Museum in the Cathedral. It was an 'eye-opener', as they say. The Museum has a collection of glass which is of national, if not international, importance displayed in a stunning environment showcasing the history of an art form that stretches back hundreds of years. The Museum encourages visits from children and school parties and runs courses on different aspects of glass making. Recently there have been significant new additions to the collection that include much vibrant contemporary glass. If you haven't been to the Museum, it is well worth a visit and I mustn't forget to mention that there's a shop there too with a fine collection of books to browse and some lovely gifts for the discerning!
In November the City remembered its war dead and as Mayor I laid wreaths both in the Cathedral and at the War Memorial in the Market Place. It seemed to me that this year there were more people than ever at the Service and the Parade. It was good to see our young people from various uniformed organisations out in force and to have the support of men and women who had served in the Armed Forces as well as those serving now - including a contingent from the U.S. Military. The City of Ely Military Band added enormous dignity to the occasion and they and the Royal British Legion presided over a fitting remembering of what those who have gone before us in Ely suffered in the cause of freedom.
It's impossible in a short article to do justice to all the things we've attended, the volunteers we've met and the good causes we've been able to support but there's one thing I must mention and that's the East Cambs Careers and Skills Fair that was held in the Cathedral, again in November. It brought together sixty businesses, colleges and universities and allowed more than 1500 students to engage with a wealth of educational and career prospects. It was a real treat to be able to go along to the Fair and to see just how seriously everything was taken by our young people and to note the highly professional involvement of those who had stalls for them to visit. A wonderful day in the local educational calendar!
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