Back as the Mayor!!

Having thought that my blogging was going to come to an end, it was a short end.

For the coming year I have the pleasure and honour to be the Mayor of Haringey. And what an honour. I have held the post before in 1995-96 when I was Haringey's and Britain's youngest Mayor at 29. Now, I am slightly older and there are two Mayors who are younger than me in London, Hammersmith & Fulham's Andrew Johnson is 28 and Merton's Martin Whelton is 33. This really is excellent news, for as I said in my acceptance that age should not be a barrier to public office. I wish both Andrew and Martin well for their year, as well of course as all the other Mayors in the London Boroughs. And to the Boroughs who have elected Mayors, I also wish well to the Speaker of Hackney, Chairman of Lewisham and Civic Ambassador of Newham.

Much of the blogs for the year ahead now will be about my year as Mayor and my charity work for Different Strokes, working for younger stroke survivors.

For all those who have sent their good wishes, thank you. I am so looking forward to the remaining 50 weeks in office.

It has been a light start so far, but nevertheless, enjoyable. My first official function was to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester to the Lea Valley Primary School for the opening of their new music centre. Added to that I have been able to do my first Citizenship Ceremony as Haringey welcomes those who wish to become British citizenships. And on Thursday just gone was attending the Haringey Business Awards which was a fantastic evening, on which more I will blog shortly. Congratulations to all the winners though!

Just some of the events in the coming week include that of a Service at St. Paul's Cathedral hosted by the Lord Mayor of London followed by a reception at the Mansion House. I will also be thanking local volunteers for their services to volunteering in Haringey. Over 70 certificates I have signed amounting to 1,000s of volunteer hours. Added to that will be the Better Haringey Awards, the Haringey & District Scouts AGM, the Better Haringey Green Fair, the Haringey LGBT Network annual meeting, a garden party at Capel Manor and attending the Barnet Civic Service.

For a number of these engagements I will be joined by my good friend who is my Consort for the year ahead, Lance Chinnian, and my Parish Priest, Fr. Simon Clark of St. Mark's Church. Yes, Haringey's Mayor has a Chaplain for the first time in over 30 years. For those who know me will know that I care a lot about tradition.

So onward to more for the year!!