Lord Mayor’s Column - 29 April 2020

I have been especially fortunate to have celebrated Swansea’s 50th year as a City during my mayoral year.

Every effort has been made to include as many people as possible in the events staged for this anniversary, and thanks must go to those in the Lord Mayor’s office, the Mansion House, the council’s special events team and the communications staff for making it all possible.

However, fifty years of city-status is not the only anniversary we have celebrated. I have noted over twenty notable landmarks that have fallen during my term of office, many of which I have had a role in commemorating.

In 2019 alone, we have marked the hundredth anniversary of the opening of Singleton Park, Oakleigh House School and the founding of Swansea Rotary Club. 2019 was the ninetieth year since Parc Williams in Loughor was established (ten years for its friends’ group) and the sixtieth anniversary of the reconsecration of St Mary’s Church, the formation of Swansea Philharmonic and the founding of 1st Cwmbwrla Brownies.

Penclawdd Brass Band, the Loughor Life Boat and the DVLA were all established in 1969, whilst Dylan Thomas Theatre and Morriston RFC choir were set-up ten years later and celebrated their fortieth anniversary in 2019.

Talking Hands, a group for children and deaf people was 20 years old last year, and Swansea Historical Society had its tenth birthday. And of course, it was one hundred years since Swansea resident, Arthur Whitton Brown became the first person to fly across the Atlantic.

These events, the societies, institutions and the people associated with them form part of the rich and diverse tapestry which underpin the communities and history of our city. It underlines what a great place Swansea is to live and work in and what a privilege it is to be the Lord Mayor.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 3 May 2020

Due to COVID-19 there are no civic engagements this week.

Lord Mayor’s Column - 22 April 2020

I am now in my final month as Lord Mayor and it must be said that I did not expect it to end this way.

After a busy ten months encompassing the City’s 50th anniversary celebrations and three freedom of the city celebrations, all events have been cancelled so that we can stay safe from coronavirus.

It has of course, been a privilege to hold the position of Lord Mayor, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have attended concerts in every part of Swansea, hosted fifty community groups at the Mansion House as part of our anniversary celebrations, been part of two royal visits, met Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas and Alun Wyn Jones, visited our twin city of Mannheim and spoken to children from a number of local schools.

I have kept a detailed diary of all my engagements as Deputy Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor on-line at http://swanseamayoralmusing.blogspot.com/ in addition to the official social media channels set up for the office.

I wanted, though, to highlight the fantastic team that makes this possible. As I often tell people at events, the real work is carried out by the staff in the Mansion House and the Guildhall. I am just the frontman.

I am still hopeful that we will be able to have a limited Mayor-making ceremony when I can hand over to my successor, and I can thank everybody properly for the brilliant job they have done in supporting me in this role, so this acknowledgement of their work is just a start.

In the meantime, if you would like to support my charities then please send your donation (made out to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund) to my office in the Guildhall. Thank you and stay safe.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 26 April 2020

Due to COVID-19 there are no civic engagements this week.

Lord Mayor's Column - 15th April 2020

The continued threat of COVID-19 means that once more there are no appointments for the Lord Mayor this week. All civic life has taken a back seat to the need to keep people safe, protect the most vulnerable and put in place support mechanisms for those who need it most.

In this context it is only right that I mention the role of the hundreds of individual volunteers or community champions who have come forward to assist in that process. Many of these volunteers are being coordinated by the Swansea Council for Voluntary Services, but there is a much more informal network as well.

Swansea has always been a city of closely-knit communities, but that has become much more prominent over the past few weeks. People have volunteered of their own volition to shop for their neighbours, pick up prescriptions and carry out other tasks for those unable to act for themselves.

The individuals who have been designated as shielded by the Welsh Government have the option of more formal support, but they are still benefiting from the help of those living around them. Others have not been allocated that status, but still require assistance and it is gratifying to see so many stepping up to help.

If there is one positive thing to come out of this crisis it is the way that people and communities have pulled together for each other. With many weeks of lockdown ahead of us that will help sustain us all.

Our gratitude too, goes out to the many unsung heroes working in the health service and in the caring profession, and other frontline workers in shops, the delivery drivers, and everybody who is helping us to get through this terrible time. We owe them all a great deal.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 19 April 2020

Due to COVID-19 there are no civic engagements this week. Happy Easter and stay safe.

Lord Mayor's Column - 8th April 2020

With the Lord Mayor’s diary remaining empty because of the lockdown, and with all councillors focussing on offering support and information to vulnerable constituents, I have been using this column over the last few weeks to highlight the work of my charities.

Two weeks ago, I outlined the work of one of my three charities. Crisis Skylight South Wales who work with homeless people to try and help them acquire the skills needed to maintain accommodation and seek employment.

Last week, I talked about my second charity, an organisation called Unity in Diversity, that runs twice-weekly sessions providing food, support and learning opportunities to asylum seekers and refugees in the Swansea area.

My third charity, Swansea’s RSPCA Branch, was established by animal-loving volunteers in the Swansea and Neath areas nearly 200 years ago. The first animal centre was in Singleton Park and was leased from Swansea Corporation in 1935. It was able to house 31 dogs and 18 cats.

In 1997 the Animal Centre moved to Llys Nini Farm, where the charity provides animal welfare throughout Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend and parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff council areas. Llys Nini helps over 2,000 animals each year and rehomes many of those, including my two rescue cats.

Many of you will have seen recently that the lockdown has forced Llys Nini to close down all their charity shops and left them struggling for funds to support the hundred-plus animals still at the centre. Any funds they receive directly at the moment will be most welcome.

If you would like to support the work of my charities then please send your donations (made out to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund) to my office in the Guildhall. Thank you and please stay safe.

A message from the Lord Mayor

This is my message to health and care workers as Lord Mayor. It applies too, to all those other frontline workers in shops, delivery drivers, council workers, community volunteers and everybody who is helping us survive this lockdown.

Civic Engagements Week Ending 12 April 2020

Due to COVID-19 there are no civic engagements this week

Lord Mayor's Column - 1 April 2020

The Lord Mayor’s diary remains empty this week and for the foreseeable future because of the restrictions being imposed on all of us to try and limit the spread of COVID-19.

Along with many other people I am working from home, doing what I can to support the efforts of a huge team of dedicated staff in the health service, the council and local care companies to support the vulnerable and keep vital services on track.

Like other councillors, I am also dealing with queries from constituents, and trying to keep them informed of developments.

Last week I outlined the work of one of my three charities. Crisis Skylight South Wales who work with homeless people to try and help them acquire the skills needed to maintain accommodation and seek employment.

Swansea has a long history of integrating refugees from across the world into its own distinctive urban identity. That continues to the present day as we receive and house refugees and asylum seekers fleeing unbearable hardships caused by war, political persecution and climate change amongst many others.

That is why I chose as one of the Lord Mayor’s charities, an organisation called Unity in Diversity, that runs twice-weekly sessions providing food, support and learning opportunities to asylum seekers and refugees in the Swansea area.

They are run entirely by dedicated volunteers and have helped over 500 people of 40+ nationalities and ethnic origins in their 5 years of existence.

My third charity is the RSPA’s Llys Nini, which I will say more about next week.

If you would like to support the work of my charities then please send your donations (made out to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund) to my office in the Guildhall. Thank you and please stay safe.