Morriston Rotary Afternoon Tea

Back up to the Mansion House this afternoon where Morriston Rotary were holding a fundraising afternoon tea for the Golau Cancer Foundation at Singleton Hospital.

The Golau Cancer Foundation is the cancer charity of the South West Wales Cancer Centre. The South West Wales Cancer Centre is the cancer centre of excellence for the people of South West Wales, based in Singleton Hospital.

Golau Cancer Foundation supports the excellent work of the NHS, by helping to provide facilities, equipment, training and research above and beyond the normal scope of the NHS.

It is an excellent cause and the event was well-supported. Hopefully, a reasonable amount of money was raised for them.

Lord Mayor's Column - 31 July 2019

The crowds came out to support 157 (Welsh) Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps on Saturday as they were granted honorary freedom of the city, marking their long association with Swansea. It certainly was an honour to inspect the troops and address them before driving ahead of their march through the City Centre to take the salute with the Lord Lieutenant and Major General Swift in Oxford Street.

It is not just the city of Swansea celebrating a milestone this year. 2019 is a year of anniversaries, and on Saturday night I was at the Dylan Thomas Theatre celebrating 40 years of its existence, under the auspices of Swansea Little Theatre.

Swansea Little Theatre has been continuously performing plays since 1924 but finally found their permanent home in the unlikely disused (and rather dilapidated) Oscar Chess garage and showroom in what was then a rather run down part of the docks area – no Waterfront Museum, no Tram Museum, no lovely apartments and the river wasn’t too clean either.

A tremendous amount of work was put in to turn the garage (with inspection pits and sumps) into a workable theatre. 40 years later, the building is a prized jewel in the Artists’ Quarter of the Marina.

On Sunday the Deputy Lord Mayor will be unveiling a centenary panel at the Singleton Park Botanical gardens. In 1919 the Swansea Corporation acquired Singleton Abbey and the surrounding land from the Vivian family who owned Hafod Copperworks. Kew-trained horticulturalist Daniel Bliss used his expertise and vision to create the park and to develop the gardens.

The volunteers at the Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Gardens Complex do some fantastic work in supporting the park. Descendants of the Vivian family will be there to mark this milestone with them.

100th Birthday

One of the best bits about being Lord Mayor is visiting people on special occasions. So it was that this afternoon I called into St Mark's Nursing Home in Waun Wen to meet Mair Saunders, who is 100 years old today.

Mair had already had a card from the Queen, the Secretary of State for Wales, the First Minister of Wales and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, so it was a pleasure to add to that by bringing her a lovely bunch of flowers.

Mair was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1919 and was married to Gwilym in June 1943. They had a happy 63 years of marriage before Gwilym died in 2006. She has two daughters, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Before moving into St Mark's eighteen months ago, Mair was living independently in her home in St. Thomas.

It was lovely to meet her and some of her family, as well as the staff and a few of the other residents, a number of whom used to live in my ward.

Recording of services for broadcast by BBC Radio Wales

We literally walked to our engagement this morning, which took place in Christwell United Reform Church in Manselton Road, only yards from where we live.

The Minister, Neil Riches, who is also a trustee of one of my Mayoral charities, Unity in Diversity, was leading two half hour services to be broadcast on the Sunday morning religious slot on Radio Wales. The first on the subject of City and Swansea's 50th anniversary on 8th September, the second on the subject of mining on 13th October.

It was a very enjoyable experience, despite the number of retakes we had to do until we delivered a performance that satisfied the producer. In all it took two and a half hours to wrap up both shows. I will listen to the religious service with a different perspective next time.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 4 August 2019

Swansea Little Theatre 40 years celebration

2019 is a year of anniversaries and this evening I was at the Dylan Thomas Theatre celebrating 40 years of its existence, under the auspices of Swansea Little Theatre.

As the Maritime Quarter Residents Association website records, Swansea Little Theatre has been continuously performing plays since 1924. For many years they were a nomadic company, performing in various venues throughout Swansea but in 1979, but after much searching they secured a permanent home in Swansea Marina.

The building was the disused (and rather dilapidated) Oscar Chess garage and showroom in what was then a rather run down part of the docks area – no Waterfront Museum, no Tram Museum, no lovely apartments and the river wasn’t too clean either.

A tremendous amount of work was put in to turn the garage (with inspection pits and sumps) into a workable theatre. The members rallied around and everyone worked tirelessly with the help of Manpower Commission, the Probation Service and qualified tradesmen and 40 years later, the building is a prized jewel in the Artists’ Quarter of the Marina.

The building has welcomed many companies over the years – when the Grand Theatre was being refurbished, it became their home for three months. Eddie Izzard, Russell Kane, Jon Pertwee, Welsh National Opera, International Jazz Festival have all been there and a number of theatre and dance companies perform every year here, including the theatre-in-education company TNN who have been coming there for 22 years and never cease to amaze the thousands of children who see their shows.

This evening we had a treat, a rare film of Dylan Thomas's Under Milkwood, produced for the Princes Trust and directed by Anthony Hopkins. The cast included Tom Jones, Anthony Hopkins himself, Catherine Zeta Jones and Harry Secombe. It was a charity gala performance for the Prince’s Trust and also served as the launch for a new recording studio in north London, AIR Studios, owned by George Martin, who organised the music.

Honorary Freedom of the City - 157 (Welsh) Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps

Today was the third freedom ceremony I have been involved in as Lord Mayor, when the council honoured the 157 (Welsh) Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps.

After the ceremony I inspected the troops and then addressed them before driving ahead of their march through the City Centre to take the salute with the Lord Lieutenant and Major General Swift in Oxford Street.

This is the speech I delivered to the troops in front of the Guildhall, which also provides some of the history of the regiment:

Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Honorary Recorder, Major General Swift, Brigadier Richmond, Brigadier Ewart –Brooks, Colonel Simpson, Colonel Francis, Colonel Lawton, Distinguished Guests

It is with great pleasure, that as The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of the City & County of Swansea, along with my council colleagues, we are honoured to be able to grant 157 (Welsh) Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Honorary Freedom of the City & County of Swansea in our 50th year as a city.

The Royal Logistic Corps’ (RLC) 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC, known colloquially as The Welsh Transport Regiment, has a special friendship with the people of the city and county of Swansea.

The Regiment’s Squadron in Swansea started life within Headquarters 53rd (Welsh) Divisional Train, Army Service Corps (ASC) whose origins date back to 1912.

August of 1915 saw the 53rd (Welsh) Division take part in the landings at Gallipoli where it earned praise for its part in supplying ammunition to the 160th Brigade, now 160th Infantry Brigade and HQ Wales.

Following the formation of the Royal Logistic Corps on the 1st of April 1993, 223 (Welsh) Squadron, Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) became 223 Artillery Support Squadron RLC.

The 1998 Strategic Defence Review saw 223 Artillery Support Squadron RLC become 223 Transport Squadron RLC and in 2014, 223 (West Glamorgan) Transport Squadron RLC.

It was not only the Squadron that re-organised over the years, similarly in 2007, 157 (Wales and Midland) Regiment RLC was retitled The Welsh Transport Regiment RLC which became in 2014, 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC as we know it today.

As titles have come and gone, the people within the Regiment have remained steadfast; support from the City and County of Swansea has also remained constant, ambassadors for our Armed Forces community at large.

Swansea is proud of its relationship with the Armed Forces and welcomes every opportunity to show our support.

It is my pleasure to be able to give permission for you to exercise your right of Honorary Freedom to march through our streets with your drums beating and bayonets fixed. I am sure the people of Swansea will give you a very warm welcome as you pass through the city, and I welcome the opportunity to speak more informally to many of you later today.

An Evening with Catherine Zeta Jones - highlights

With Julien MacDonald

Compere Kev Johns

Class Act Theatre School

Ria Jones

Only Men Aloud

Catherine Zeta Jones talks about her life

Freedom of the City - Catherine Zeta Jones

It was a lovely afternoon today as we welcomed Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas and their son, Dylan to the Guildhall so we could bestow the Freedom of the City on Catherine. 

Catherine has been a fantastic ambassador for the City, as well as supporting a number of South Wales charities. She has put the city on the map, has never forgotten her roots, and could easily be described as Swansea's most famous daughter. The whole family were delightful and down to earth.

Catherine is one of only two women to receive the Freedom of the City, the other being Adelina Patti in 1911.

This evening there is a gala dinner in the Brangwyn Hall at which Catherine will take the stage to talk about her life. Proceeds are going to Maggies and to the Lord Mayor's Charities.

Lord Mayor's Column - 24th July 2019

To mark Swansea’s 50th anniversary as a city, we are recognising some of the city’s most famous sons and daughters.

Last month Swansea-born, Wales, British Lion and now three-time Grand Slam-winning rugby legend, Alun Wyn Jones was awarded the highest honour that the city of Swansea can bestow. This week, I will be officiating not one, but two ceremonies.

Today, Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE is set to receive Honorary Freedom of her home city. Born and brought up in Mayals, Catherine shares her own 50th birthday year with the city’s golden anniversary. It is fitting that we recognise her ambassadorial role for Swansea and her services to film and charity in this special year.

Following the ceremony, and accompanied by her husband Michael Douglas and son Dylan, Catherine will take to the Brangwyn Hall stage with an 'Evening with Catherine' featuring anecdotes, stories and tales of her early Mumbles life through to her multi award winning career.

The second Honorary Freedom ceremony of the week takes place on Saturday for 157 (Welsh) Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corp (RLC). Reservists play an increasingly vital role in the British Army, often taking part in operations around the world. 157 Regiment RLC is the largest Army Reserve regiment in Wales. Its job is to move combat supplies great distances to ensure the Army has all it needs to do its job. Not only do they potentially put their lives at risk, but they also play an important part in promoting a greater understanding of the Army and its work.

Granting Honorary Freedom of the City and County of Swansea to 157 (Welsh) Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corp (RLC) shows how much the council and communities across the city appreciate everything our Armed Forces do to protect the freedom and democracy that we cherish.

Mass of Thanksgiving

This evening I attended St. Joseph's Catholic Cathedral where they were holding a mass of thanksgiving to mark the retirement of Bishop Tom Burns who, having reached the age of 75, had handed in his resignation to the Pope.

The service was also attended by the Church in Wales, Archbishop John Davies, Archbishop George Stack, the Archbishop of Cardiff and a large number of clergy from the diocese together with a number of other bishops. Archbishop Stack was installed as Apostolic Administrator until a new Bishop is appointed in due course.

The cathedral was packed with parishioners, as the formal handover was completed, all celebrating the service that Bishop Tom gave to the area. 

Swansea University Degree and Award Congregations

Today it was the turn of Swansea University, my Alma Mater, to award degrees to their students. These actually go on all week, but the Deputy Lord Mayor and I attend when we can. Due to the number of other engagements this week, this was the only one I could attend.

The congregation was held in the Great Hall on the Bay campus, which is fortunately air-conditioned given the hot weather we are experiencing. The students were accompanied by their proud families, and the university made a real occasion of the ceremony.

In addition to the students being congratulated by the Chancellor and Pro Chancellor, there were poetry readings and singing, and the students' union led the graduates in thanking their families for all the support they had received during their studies.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 28 July 2019

Mining Exhibition - the changing face of mining

The National Waterfront Museum is a major asset to Swansea, more so when it is used to stage exhibitions from local artists as it did this evening.

Tina Francis has put together a stunning collection of painting of the men who work in the open cast mining industry in the communities north of Swansea at East Pit. She has even produced two paintings representing the women who worked down the pits in the early part of the nineteenth century, before that particular workforce was outlawed.

The paintings are powerful and evocative, capturing the physicality of the mining work as well as the character of the men. It was a pleasure to carry out the official opening. If you are able to, go and see the exhibition. It will be there for the next couple of months.

April Court Summer Fete

April Court is a care home based in a listed building in St Helen's Road, part of the old Swansea Hospital. The Home has been refurbished over the last ten years to a high standard providing single rooms for all residents.

This afternoon I was invited to open their summer fete, which due to the weather had been brought indoors. The Salvation Army band was playing and another entertainer was expected later that afternoon.

My role was to make a speech to open the event, which I did.

Nursery Garden Party - Celebration of Platinum Award

This afternoon I called into the Rose Garden Day Nursery in Uplands to congratulate them on being awarded the National Day Nurseries Association's Quality Counts Award. 

Quality Counts is a national quality scheme designed to help a nursery explore all aspects of its care and education to ensure that it is delivering the best possible service for young children.

The visit was also to celebrate the Swansea's 50th anniversary as a City. Many of the kids had made and were wearing paper versions of the Lord Mayor's Chain with a big 50 on the fob, and some had paper hats with a 50 as the centre piece. 

I was happy to pose for photographs with all the staff and many of the children to help them publicise their award and the visit.

CREST - recovery college open day

CREST is a specialist mental health resource centre provided by Swansea Social Services with an emphasis on recovery, work and educational opportunities. All of the services provided there are focused on encouraging people to develop skills and relationships that enable them move forward, take control of their lives and live in a more meaningful and independent way.

CREST Recovery College will be opening in September and aims to help individuals to become experts in their own care and develop the skills they need to rebuild their lives. The College is a formal learning institution that creates an environment in which people with a lived experience of mental distress feel safe, welcome and accepted and provide education as a route to recovery.

The College is a collaboration between CREST, users of mental health services, Swansea University, Gower College and the University of Wales Trinity St. David. The courses are designed to assist with personal goals or act as potential steps into Higher education or employment.

Today's open day was designed to give clients a taster of the opportunities on offer. There was food and entertainment and my role was to officially open the event.

Teddy Bears Picnic 10th Anniversary

It was a lovely start to the day as I joined staff from the council's education department and other departments who were running the tenth teddy bears' picnic in the National Maritime Museum behind the Leisure Centre. This is the sixth year, it has been held in this venue.

It was packed with families and many stakeholders as well as the Council's play bus. They were all having a great time.

I was joined by the council's cabinet member for children's services and the Welsh Government's Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan AM. After the speeches the audience were sprayed with paper confetti.

The event continued until 2.30pm, but I had to leave well before that to go to my next appointment.

Craig Cefn Parc School Memory Garden

trt

A rather sad event this afternoon as I went to Craig Cefn Parc to open a memory garden built to commemorate the local school, which is closing for good this week.  The garden has been built by local residents using funds raised to try and save the school and volunteer labour.

I cut the ribbon and then we were entertained by the local village choir, Village Voices, combined with Gendros Community Choir, The local councillor also addressed the villagers who had gathered for the opening.

The location of the garden is stunning, looking out across the open countryside. Hopefully it will be put to good use by the whole community in remembering the school that used to be at the centre of their village.

Lord Mayor's Column - 17th July 2019

As part of the commemoration events for Swansea's 50th anniversary we are inviting community groups up to the Mansion House to celebrate with us. The ambition is to have 50 such events, with groups from every ward in the City.

On Monday I invited the Bonymaen Senior Citizens group up to the Mansion House for afternoon tea and on Tuesday it was the turn of the Friends of Birchgrove Pavilion. Both groups were accompanied by their ward councillors and were a lively and fun couple of hours. I hope everyone who joined us enjoyed.

Later, I celebrated the honorary fellows of the University of Wales Trinity St. David at a dinner in the Dylan Thomas Centre. Both universities reward individuals in this way every year. They are prestigious occasions, and an opportunity to thank people for their work and their commitment to their communities.

Recipients included Judge Ray Singh CBE for services to public services and equality, the Most Reverend John Davies, Archbishop of Wales for services to the Church in Wales, and Chief Constable Matthew Jukes for services to policing and public services. Also honoured were Coastal Housing Chief Executive, Debbie Green and Cllr Robert Francis Davies for services to community regeneration.

If you go down to the National Waterfront Museum on Thursday Morning you’re sure for a big surprise! I’ll be joining families at the 10th annual teddy bears picnic. The free event will have fun and activities from Flying Start teams right across Swansea.

Then on Saturday it’s back to the National Waterfront Museum, where I will be opening ‘The Changing Face of Mining’ art exhibition. Artist Tina Francis has captured intimate portraits of miners at the opencast mine East Pit at Tairgwaith, one of the last working coal mines in an industry that was once the backbone of the Welsh economy.

Swansea 50 - Birchgrove Pavilion Volunteers

This was the second of the community events the Lord Mayor's is putting on with local groups to celebrate the 50th anniversary of  Swansea becoming a City.

This afternoon we welcomed members of a pensioners group who meet weekly in Birchgrove Pavilion. They were accompanied by two of their ward councillors, and we had a very pleasant afternoon tea together.

UWTSD Graduation Ceremony

This morning I was at the Brangwyn Hall for one of the University of Wales Trinity South Wales graduation ceremonies. This brought back memories of my own graduation in 1981, which also took place in this venue.

Several hundred students were present with their families to celebrate all their hard work in securing their degrees, along with many of their lecturers and professors. In addition the university was awarding an honorary fellowship to Maggie Philbin for services to enterprise, technology and engineering, and an honorary doctorate to the Archbishop of Wales.

It was an interesting and rewarding experience overlooked by the magnificent Brangwyn Panels, and I got to meet Maggie Philbin.

University of Wales Trinity St David Fellows dinner

A very pleasant dinner this evening in the Dylan Thomas Centre to celebrate the honorary fellows of the University of Wales Trinity St. David.

Amongst the honorary fellows we were honouring were Judge Ray Singh CBE for services to public services and equality, the Most Reverend John Davies, Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Swansea and Brecon for services to the Church in Wales and in recognition of leadership across faith communities, and Chief Constable Matthew Jukes for services to policing and public services.

Also being honoured was Debbie Green for services to community regeneration and Councillor Robert Francis-Davies for services to the regeneration of Swansea.

Both universities reward individuals in this way every year, and hold dinners in their honour. They are prestigious occasions, and an opportunity to thank people for their work and their commitment to their communities.

Swansea 50 - Bonymaen Senior Citizens Group

As part of the commemoration events for Swansea's 50th anniversary we are inviting community groups up to the Mansion House to celebrate with us. The ambition is to have 50 such events, with groups from every ward in the City.

Today we invited the Bonymaen Senior Citizens group up to the Mansion House for afternoon tea. They were accompanied by their ward councillors. It was a lively and fun couple of hours and hopefully everybody enjoyed it, 

Choral Evensong

This afternoon we attended a special evensong at St Mary's Church in the city centre to commemorate Swansea's 50th anniversary as a City. The Lord Lieutenant and the Archbishop of Wales were also in attendance.

The words of the Rector of St. Mary's, Canon Ian Rees, in the welcome to the order of service, seem particularly apt. He writes that at the very heart of both Swansea and St Mary's Church are the people, the people who live and work here, the people who study here, who visit for any reason at all.

Swansea's 50th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the reconsecration of St Mary's are important landmarks in our city's development, but without the people and communities on which the two are built, these dates would be meaningless.

I am glad that this was recognised in this afternoon's service.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 21 July 2019

Sir Karl Jenkins 75th Birthday Gala

If you are going to celebrate a 75th birthday then do it in style. Tonight was one of the most remarkable concerts I have been to for some considerable time. 

Here, in Swansea's St Mary's Church, we were treated to a birthday concert for Sir Karl Jenkins, that had already graced New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Albert Hall.

Sir Karl, conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Wales, was accompanied by mezzo-soprano, Olivia Gomez, harpist Catrin Finch and award-winning Azerbaijani cellist, Jamal Aliyev.

We were treated to his Palladio, Passacaglia, The Peacemakers and The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace - Choral Suite among many other pieces. It was a performance of the highest possible standard and a credit to the Gower Festival who staged it.

The fact that the concert sold out at the same time as the Stereophonics are playing Singleton Park speaks volumes.

The Phoenix Music Concert

A fabulous concert this evening in the Taliesin with the Phoenix Choir of Wales, in which they took colour as their theme and treated us to such classic as Mr Blue Sky, Any Dream will do, Purple Rain, Blue Moon and Nights in White Satin.

They were joined on stage by Jonathan Lycett, who I have seen perform previously at Swansea University degree ceremonies, and who treated us to an Ivor Novello song, The Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square amongst many others.

Also singing were the J Birds, who performed a number of Andrews Sisters songs, wearing appropriate costumes. Add in Kev Johns as compere and the whole evening was a witty, entertaining musical pastiche which had the audience enthralled.

Swansea Special Festival

Today was a repeat of an event I attended last year as Deputy Lord Mayor, when I went to the Swansea University Sports Village for Swansea's 39th Special Festival.

This festival is designed for those with a learning, physical or intellectual disability. The event is designed to be inclusive. Races are categorised into ability levels, meaning everyone has a fair chance of winning a medal. Entries are accepted from both adults and children, and the council take great pride in ensuring there is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at all events and activities.

There are also plenty of opportunities to socialise both on and off the running track, with a variety of entertainment in the evenings.

My role was to hand out medals to the competitors, all of whom seemed to be having a great time. It was a privilege to have even this small involvement in this festival and I have huge respect for the many volunteers and council staff who made it possible.

Lord Mayor's Column - 10th July 2019

SWANSEA has a reputation as a friendly and welcoming city and this is always at the forefront of my mind as Lord Mayor.

Earlier this week I welcomed a delegation from Nantong, our sister city in China. Maintaining friendship links is vitally important, and it is always a pleasure to act as an ambassador for the City by greeting overseas visitors in the Lord Mayor’s parlour.

Every month people from all corners of the globe pledge to become British citizens at our citizenship ceremonies. Many of them have already chosen to make Swansea their home, attracted by our beautiful coastline, iconic cityscape and friendly communities. It is a pleasure to join with the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff to formalise this relationship.

Swansea is also blessed with wonderful talent and last night I attended the annual showcase event at Pentrehafod School. It was a stellar performance, enjoyed by all present. I am also a governor of this school and immensely proud of the pupils, who have a very bright future ahead.

Today I’m attending Swansea Special Festival at Swansea University. Now in its 39th year, the Festival draws together hundreds of disabled children, young people and adults from all over Swansea to take part in two days of sport, music and socialising.

Swansea has a fantastic choral scene and I’m looking forward to the Phoenix Choir annual concert at the Taliesin on Friday night. On Saturday, one of Swansea’s famous sons, Sir Karl Jenkins is holding a 75th birthday concert at St Mary’s Church, as part of the Gower Festival and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to attend.

Finally, on Sunday the Lady Mayoress and I will end our civic week at a Choral Evensong at St Mary’s Church, where we will be joined by the Archbishop of Wales.

Pentrehafod School Production

It is over thirty years since I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and this production by a combined ensemble of Pentrehafod School pupils and the choirs of Burlais Primary School and Clwyd Primary School was just as enjoyable. It was so full of energy and talent.

We were honoured to have been invited as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and like the rest of the audience, had a great time. The commitment of teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and their supportive family in getting this production on the stage was exceptional.

The production has two more days to run. Please go and see it if you can.

Citizenship ceremony

I attended another citizenship ceremony in the registrar's office in the civic centre today. This time there were nine individuals being granted citizenship after passing all the hurdles put in place for them by the UK Government.

Those awarded citizenship were from Italy, Bangladesh, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ukraine and Pakistan. Most of them have been living in Swansea for some time, and already have jobs and families here.

The ceremony involved myself and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant making a speech welcoming the applicants before they swear an oath of allegiance. We then presented them with a certificate, a commemorative key ring and information on being a citizen which is provided by the Home Office.

The ceremony concluded with photographs and cake.

Nantong Delegation

Swansea has a number of formal twinning links, of which the longest is that with Mannheim in Germany. However, we also have friendship ties with other cities, including Nantong in the Jiangsu province, located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, near the river mouth.

Nantong had a population of 7,282,835 at the 2010 census, 1,994,708 of whom live in the built-up area made up of three urban districts. So it is quite a bit bigger than Swansea. Nevertheless we have maintained friendly relations with the city for 30 years or more, if memory serves right, and there have been a number of visits in both directions as each seeks to capitalise on the link to enhance our educational and economic offering.

Thus it was that I met a delegation from Nantong in the Lord Mayor's parlour this morning, exchanged gifts and gave them a tour of the Guildhall. I am not sure what they made of my explanation of the tapestry around the council chamber as representing scenes from a National Eisteddfod, or even that the Brangwyn panels were painted to celebrate the British Empire, but hopefully they enjoyed the experience.

The visitors then went onto Swansea University before returning this evening for a more formal event, as we hosted them at the Mansion House for dinner, where we were able to talk about the City deal and other matters beneficial to both cities.

Sir Arthur Whitten Brown Parade

I

In the afternoon I joined the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Secretary of State for Wales, Group Captain Simon and Air Commodore Adrian Williams on a reviewing platform, to take the salute as cadets from the third Air Wing marched down Oystermouth Road.

This parade was part of the hundredth anniversary celebration of the first Atlantic crossing by Swansea resident, Arthur Whitten Brown and John Alcock in 1919.

Afterwards we followed the parade into the Swansea University grounds where the cadets paraded and were inspected. There was then a ceremony to thank the current wing commander, who was retiring and to promote of Squadron Leader Phil Flowers to take his place.

Air Show Day Two

Back to the air show this morning and another brilliant display by the Red Arrows. We were joined by the Secretary of State for Wales and the High Sheriff along with some RAF senior officers, ready for the parade later that day. Red Ten, who was providing commentary, came up to the VIP area after the display to talk to some of the people there.

In the afternoon, I once more received the salute from the Tiger Parachute Display Team, after which I chatter with them all and posed for photographs. By now it was unbearably hot, so I we headed home. It had been an exciting, busy but exhausting weekend.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 14 July 2019

Air Show Day One

Following the Armed Forces Day ceremony it was onto the Air Show. This is actually the first time I have been to this spectacle and I was astonished as to how large it is. There are dozens of stands and stalls, many of them commercial, some of them related to the council and a lot for charities and voluntary sector organisations. I made a point of speaking to as many of the last two categories as possible, including Ty Hafan.

During the afternoon we saw a number of air displays, and then at just before 4pm it was the turn of the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team. My role was to take the salute from the team once they had landed and meet them. They are an extraordinary group of skilled individuals with a massive amount of experience. I look forward to seeing them again tomorrow.

Following the parachute display it was time for the Red Arrows, and their outstanding display.