Civic Engagements Week Ending 5 January 2020

Civic Engagements Week Ending 29 December 2019

Swansea Grand Theatre Pantomime

Our last engagement of 2019 was to attend the pantomime at Swansea Grand Theatre. This year they were staging Peter Pan starring Coronation Street's Tristan Gemmill as Captain Hook, Swansea's favourite Kevin Johns as Mrs Smee, Britain's Got Talent's Ricky K as Starkey and Aoife Kenny as Tiger Lily.

I haven't been to a pantomime for some time so this was a real treat. It was an outstanding production enjoyed by all present including the many children dressed in their Christmas jumpers.

We have nothing now until the beginning of January, so hopefully we can get our stuff together for a Christmas at home. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all those who have been following this blog and the work we have been doing as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

The City Carol Service

Each year on the last Thursday before Christmas St Mary's Church hosts the City Carol Service. Based upon the nine lessons and carols format, it is always a major treat for connoisseurs of such events.

The choir as usual were outstanding, while the church was packed with civic dignitaries and guests. The Lord Mayor is in full robes, whilst the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant are also in uniform.

This year we had two innovations. We were joined by the High Sheriff's Halberdiers complete with pikes and sword, while for the first time I was accompanied by a female mace bearer.

After the service we were treated to mulled wine and mince pies.

Parlour visit - Brian Burnie from Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care

This afternoon I was in the Mayor's Parlour to meet Brian Burnie, who is the founder of the charity Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.

The charity offers free patient transport to and from hospital for cancer. They deliver 40,000 patient journeys each year, but have ambitions to go nationwide and increase that to one million.

Brian, who is 75 years old, is walking 7,000 miles around Britain and Ireland hoping to offer the free service nationwide, while living in a double decker with his wife Cheryl, which they have called Bluebell.

So far, Brian has walked 4,300 miles to date, meeting every Mayors in Scotland and Ireland. I was happy to accommodate his request to meet and add another Mayoral reception to his list.

Twinning visit to Mannheim

In these uncertain political times the links we maintain with our European partners can prove invaluable to our future prosperity and relations. There is a long tradition of Lord Mayors visiting our German twin city, and I made my own trip to Mannheim on Sunday. Exchange visits such as this are a wonderful way of fostering friendships and understanding between different cultures.

After the second world war, Winston Churchill encouraged the custom of twinning between towns as an act of peace and reconciliation. One notable example of this is Coventry, having been bombed heavily during the war, with Stalingrad and Dresden that had also suffered terribly. In the same vein, Swansea has been twinned with Mannheim since 1957.

The link with Mannheim is especially strong because of the involvement of ABB Stotz-Kontakt who are based in Heidelberg, and who send their apprentices to Swansea for up to six months as part of their training to gain work experience and improve on their English. I was particularly impressed during this visit at the three year training programme the apprentices are put through and the commitment the company has to people development. It is an example that many English companies would benefit from adopting.

As well as enjoying the sights and exploring the many Christmas markets in Mannheim, Weinheim and Heidelberg, I also met the Deputy Mayor of Mannheim and signed the golden visitor book. On Tuesday morning I gave a presentation to the current crop of trainees about what they can expect when they come to Swansea for two months in February.

It was a very worthwhile trip, and I look forward to welcoming many of the people I met when they pay a return visit next year.

Lord Mayor's Column - 18th December 2019

After the second world war, Winston Churchill encouraged the custom of twinning between towns as an act of peace and reconciliation. One notable example of this is Coventry, having been bombed heavily during the war, with Stalingrad and Dresden that had also suffered terribly. In the same vein, Swansea has been twinned with Mannheim since 1957.

There is a long tradition of Lord Mayors visiting our German twin city, and I made my own trip to Mannheim on Sunday. Exchange visits such as this are a wonderful way of fostering friendships and understanding between different cultures.

The traditional Christmas market at Mannheim’s Art Nouveau water tower is one of the oldest of its kind in Germany. A scale replica of the water tower can be found in Mannheim Quay in Swansea’s marina as a reminder of the links with Swansea’s first ‘twin town’.

The Christmas festivities continue back in Swansea on Thursday as the civic carol service takes place in St Mary’s church in the city centre. One of our city's great Advent traditions, the event is open to all and includes the traditional nine lessons and nine carols. Anyone who would like to go along should arrive at St Mary's Church in the city centre at 7pm. The event includes post-Service mince pies and mulled wine to warm the congregation on their way home.

On Saturday evening I will be travelling to Neverland courtesy of the Grand Theatre, as I watch this year’s pantomime – Peter Pan. Coronation Street’s Tristan Gemmill sets sail for Swansea as Captain Hook, and I look forward to seeing ‘Mr Swansea’ Kev Johns once again, who will be appearing in his 20th straight year in pantomime, many of those as a dame. The show opened on Friday and is already receiving rave reviews.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 22 December 2019

Fifty Years a City: Swansea's Successful Quest for City Status

The events to celebrate Swansea's 50th anniversary as a City effectively came to a conclusion this afternoon with a fascinating lecture from former City Archivist, Dr John Alban outlining the historic quest to achieve city status, going back nearly 60 years before it was eventually granted.

Dr Alban is honorary senior lecturer in the school of history at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. He was County Archivist of Norfolk between 1997 and 2013 and before that City Archivist of Swansea from 1974 to 1996. He taught continuing education courses in local history, medieval Latin and palaeography for many years at the Universities of Swansea and Cardiff.

The original grant of city status was made in 1969 but it had to be regranted in 1974 after local government reorganisation and again in 1996 for the same reason. The illustrated lecture took a detailed look at all the shenanigans and lobbying behind the scenes from 1911 onwards before we were finally successful. I also learnt a few things about the chain of office. 

St John Council (West Glamorgan) Carol Concert

Back to Margam Abbey Church tonight for the annual St John Council carol service. As I have said before this is a fantastic church, even in the dark and the rain, and provided a wonderful backstop to this service.

St John's do some fantastic work with young people so it was lovely to see a number of their badgers and junior cadets take part in this service, delivering a reading which told us the story of Christmas.

Afterwards we enjoyed tea and mince pies in the church hall.

Swansea Bay Business Club Christmas Lunch

I had a lovely afternoon today at the Marriott Hotel at the Swansea Bay Business Club Christmas Lunch. Guest speaker was comedian, Josh Daniels, who had driven down from Durham to entertain us.

Swansea Bay Business Club was set up to stimulate prosperity in Swansea Bay by encouraging the business community to support each other and grow. It has recently expanded westwards and has just under 500 members.

They hold monthly networking events for business owners and managers throughout the entire Swansea Bay region, acting as a forum to bring business people together and promote a collaborative community.

Their events feature top class guest speakers and resent an opportunity to engage with fellow business people and make connections in a friendly and relaxed environment.

St James' Church Afternoon Tea

I am very keen that the Mansion House is used as widely as possible by the communities we serve, albeit we cannot allow it be used commercially as it is not up to the required standard and needs investment to allow such a use. However, we are allowed to permit charities, including local churches to use the house for fundraising and this afternoon was one such occasion.

I was pleased to welcome parishioners from St James' Church in Uplands for their afternoon tea, seeking to raise money to restore the listed building where they are based. This has been made more difficult recently by the need to spend cash on dealing with a fallen tree in their grounds, which blocked Walter Road.

Nevertheless, it was a very pleasant afternoon, involving the consumption of food they had prepared, a quiz and a raffle. I wish them luck and good fortune in the ambitious plans they have to transform the church in the future.

Lord Mayor's Column - 11th December 2019

Fifty years ago, yesterday, Swansea’s city charter was signed. HRH Prince Charles made a proclamation at the time of his investiture as Prince of Wales in July 1969 that we were to become a city and, after the charter was signed on December 10 that year, he returned to the city on December 13 to deliver it at a ceremony in the Guildhall.

On Saturday I will be introducing historian and former city archivist Dr John Alban, who is giving a talk in the Central Library at the civic centre explaining how the granting of the honour was preceded by almost six decades of campaigning for city status.

We have been celebrating the city’s anniversary all year, including nearly fifty events at the Mansion House involving community groups from all over Swansea. These concluded on Monday as St. John's Musical Players from Gowerton joined me for afternoon tea, after which we were treated to several songs from the Mikardo.

The Christmas festivities are also continuing this week, and having missed Maggie's Christmas concert on Saturday due to a clash with another engagement, it was good to be able to attend their chair's thank you party on Monday evening in the centre itself.

This was the first time I have been inside the centre, which is within the grounds of Singleton Hospital, and very impressive it was too. Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends.

On Friday I will be at the Swansea Bay Business Club’s annual Christmas Lunch at the Marriott Hotel. Established in 1949, the club is celebrating an anniversary of their own – their 70th. They still hold monthly networking events for business owners and managers throughout the region.

Citizenship Ceremony

The last citizenship ceremony of the year saw a record number of applicants, at least during my year of office, with twenty-six people to be sworn in.

Of those twenty six, ten of them were originally from Germany, an indication perhaps of the insecurity that many European citizens living here are feeling as a result of Brexit.

As usual, the Deputy Lieutenant, High Sheriff and I made speeches about our respective roles, welcoming the new citizens and giving them a token gift from the City.

Maggies Chairman's Thank you party

Having missed Maggie's Christmas concert on Saturday due to a clash with another engagement, it was good to be able to attend their chair's thank you party this evening in the centre itself.

This was the first time I have been inside the centre itself, and very impressive it was too. Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends.

These centres are built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, and have professional staff on hand to offer advice about benefits and eating well; places where qualified experts provide emotional support; places to meet other people; and places where you can simply sit quietly with a cup of tea.

Last year's Lord Mayor had Maggie's as one of his charities, which no doubt helped towards their annual fundraising target of £500,000. They currently have 14,000 visits a year from clients and provide an outstanding support service to those suffering from cancer and their families.

Swansea 50 - St. John's Musical Players

The 47th event in our series to celebrate Swansea's 50th anniversary as a City saw the St. John's Musical Players from Gowerton and the local councillor join us for afternoon tea.

We have already been to see this group sing in concert, so it was a pleasure to repay the favour with our hospitality in the Mansion House.

And then to top it all off, we were treated to a musical rendition of songs from the Mikardo.

Swansea Philharmonic Choir 60th Anniversary Concert

We celebrated yet another significant anniversary this evening when the Swansea Philharmonic Choir delivered their 60th anniversary concert with a magnificent performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B Minor.

Before we got to that however, we were treated to a newly commissioned work by 27 year old composer, Nathan James Dearden from Tonyrefail. His 3 Postcards are three responses to City of Swansea on its 50th anniversary of receiving city status, and the choir's 60th anniversary.

The main event featured the Philharmonic Choir accompanied by British Sinfonietta, Soprano Daisy Walford, Counter-Tenor Keiron-Connor Valentine, Tenor Gareth Treseder and Bass Michael Lafferty. It is the first time I have heard the mass performed, so it was a pleasure to hear it done so well.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 15 December 2019

Tabernacle Morriston Choir and Cardiff Bach Choir - Handel's Messiah

Christmas has not started until we have seen Handel's Messiah, and this performance was first class.

The combined choirs of Tabernacle Morriston, Cardiff Bach Choir, All Saints Church Choir and Côr Penclawdd, accompanied by Soprano, Claire Watkins, Mezzo Soprano, Siân Menna, Tenor, Gareth Morris and Bass, Martin Lloyd delivered a tour de force this evening. They were accompanied on the organ by Glenn Crooks and the Harpsicord by Sally Tarlton.

The audience gave the performance a standing ovation, and deservedly so. Christmas is now definitely underway.

Swansea 50 - City of Sanctuary

The 46th event in our series to celebrate Swansea's 50th birthday as a city saw the City of Sanctuary come up to the Mansion House to join us for afternoon tea.

They were accompanied by a number of asylum seekers, refugees, those seeking leave to remain and their families. We also had a visit from Father Christmas who handed out small treats to the children who were present.

We concluded the event with some carol singing, accompanied by a small choir and pianist wbo had also joined us for the event.

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities.

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the U.K go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores. Many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts.

It was a pleasure this morning therefore to join the Federation of Small Businesses and a number of Swansea's small businesses at the First Call Coffee Shop in High Street to celebrate this day. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Swansea and we need to do more to support them and to improve the footfall in the City Centre to help them thrive.

Tenovus Cancer Care Lovelight Concert

This is the second year I have attended the Tenovus Cancer Care Lovelight Concert and it was as fabulous and as poignant as ever.

Sing with Us Swansea were established in April 2012 and now have over 90 members. The idea is that the Sing with Us choirs are fun, uplifting and friendly, and are open to anyone affected by cancer whether they are a patient, survivor, carer or someone who has been bereaved through cancer.

They were supported by the Phoenix Choir of Wales, a modern Male Voice Choir based in Swansea, who sing popular music alongside the more traditional Male Voice Choir repertoire.

In addition we also heard the fantastic Angelicus Celtis, and the Hywel Girls Choir and Hywel Boy Singers. 

A feature of these concerts is the candlelight vigil, when the lights are dimmed and we hold lighted candles and think about loved ones we have lost through cancer. Yesterday was the 19th anniversary of my father's death so the vigil was particularly poignant for me.

Swansea 50 - Friends of Ynystawe Park

The 45th event in our series to celebrate Swansea's 50th anniversary as a City saw the Friends of Ynystawe Park join us at the Mansion House for afternoon tea

Ynystawe Park is situated in north Morriston and is sandwiched between the A4067, Park Road and the River Tawe. It is a beautifully situated green space and recently hosted a music festival, which raised £3,000 for the Friends group to use.

The group are currently seeking to raise money to restore the bowls pavilion, even though the green itself has fallen into disuse. 

We were joined by one of the Morriston Councillors and by the Welsh Assembly Member for Swansea East, Mike Hedges.

Lord Mayor's Community Play Volunteer Awards

A lovely afternoon in the Mansion House today as we hosted over 30 volunteers who have given up their time to support children's play in Swansea this year.

Without them giving up their time and effort, children and their families would not have access to such a range of quality play opportunities within their communities.

As well as representatives from the many community-led play bodies we also welcomed volunteer members of Swansea's Play Network.

In recognition of their efforts I presented each one with a certificate and an engraved glass as a memento of their year. We then enjoyed a substantial buffet.

Lord Mayor's Column - 4th December 2019

This is a busy week of music, festive cheer and lots of mince pies, with the Mansion House providing a suitable backdrop for many of the week’s events.

 On Sunday we held a Christmas charity evening to raise money for my Lord Mayor’s charities, which this year are Llys Nini, Crisis and Unity through Diversity. Then, on Monday evening, I welcomed St John’s Cymru for their festive fundraiser, to support the tremendous work they do in local communities.

The Lord Mayor’s Community Play Volunteer Awards recognise people who ensure youngsters have access to safe, good quality play opportunities in all areas of the City. Volunteers give up their time for free, supporting their local project or helping to run play schemes. At lunchtime today I will be at the Mansion House to present accreditation certificates to these community members, recognising the work they do with our young people.

Tomorrow, I will be at St Mary’s Church in the city centre for Tenovus Cancer Care’s Lovelight Concert - a celebration to support everyone affected by cancer, and a chance to remember loved ones that have been lost.

The city’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue on Saturday, when representatives from City of Sanctuary, who do so much to provide a safe haven for those fleeing persecution in their home countries, join me back at the Mansion House.

Later, I will be at Morriston’s Tabernacle Chapel for a performance of Handel’s Messiah – a favourite of the festive season. As Maggie’s annual Christmas concert in All Saints Church in Oystermouth, takes place at the same time, the Deputy Lord Mayor will attend this event.

There will be more music on Sunday as Swansea Philharmonic Choir celebrate their 60th anniversary year with a performance of Bach’s B Minor Mass at the Brangwyn Hall.

St. John's Ambulance Christmas Canapes Fundraiser

Back to the Mansion House this evening, this time for a fundraising evening for St. John's Ambulance otherwise known as the Order of St. John. The Order of St John, formally The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and also known as St John International, is a British royal order of chivalry first constituted in 1888 by royal charter from Queen Victoria.

The Order traces its origins back to the Knights Hospitaller in the Middle Ages, which was later known as the Order of Malta. A faction of them emerged in France in the 1820s and moved to Britain in the early 1830s, where, after operating under a succession of grand priors and different names, it became associated with the founding in 1882 of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital near the old city of Jerusalem and the St John Ambulance Brigade in 1887.

It is perhaps best known for the health organisations it founded and continues to run, including St John Ambulance and St John Eye Hospital Group. As with the Order, the memberships and work of these organizations are not constricted by denomination or religion. The Order is a constituent member of the Alliance of the Orders of Saint John of Jerusalem. Its headquarters are in London and it is a registered charity under English law.

I have been to a number of functions with St Johns, who also provide first aiders for many public events. This evening we were entertained by outstanding local singer, Bethan Evans, who was accompanied by Lisa Mears. There was food and we finished off with communal carols. It was a really well-organised event and hopefully raised a significant amount of money for the charity.

Lord Mayor's Christmas Charity Evening

One of my main motivations for being Lord Mayor this year is to raise money for my charities, Llys Nini, Crisis and Unity through Diversity. This evening then, was very special as not only were we hosting a carol sing-along in the Mansion House, but we also raised a tidy sum for the Lord Mayor's charity fund.

Those who attended enjoyed mulled wine, mini pies, mince pies and other snacks, before joining our pianist, Rob Marshall, in singing traditional carols. We also had a raffle, with a large number of donated prizes.

West Glamorgan Bench Carol Service

This afternoon we were in the 140 year old St Samlet's Church in Llansamlet for the annual West Glamorgan magistrates' bench carol service.

It was a lovely service with a fantastic choir and readings from a number of JPs. There was also a collection for the Lord Mayor's Charity and the charity of the Mayor of Neath Port Talbot.

The service was also attended by the Lord Lieutenant, and the President and Chairman of the Bench.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 8 December 2019