The Start of my Mayoral Year

Saturday was a big day for me as I officially took the reins as the new Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone. It was a moment filled with pride, gratitude, and a real sense of responsibility – and I am deeply honoured to have the opportunity to serve our wonderful community in this role.

I must start by thanking and congratulating my predecessor, Cllr John Perry, for his dedicated service over the past year. John had a fantastic Mayoral year and will be a tough act to follow!

My Mayoral year will be all about community – celebrating it, strengthening it, and supporting those who need us most. In every corner of our Borough, I see people quietly making a difference: neighbours helping neighbours, local businesses giving back, volunteers offering their time and talents. It’s this spirit – of care, connection, and collaboration that I hope to champion throughout the year.

I am also proud to announce the charities I will be supporting during my time as Mayor:

• Women and Children in Syria – after my recent visit to the Middle East I couldn’t let this go, these people need help, and I will do what I can to suppose those affected by conflict and displacement.
• Young Farmers – another charity that is very close to my heart, the future of our agricultural community. The recent suicide rates in British Farmers worry me greatly.
• The Heart of Kent Hospice – offering dignity, comfort and compassion to families during life’s most difficult moments.
• The Big Cat Sanctuary – a very local treasure to my ward, they rely heavily on public funding.

These causes reflect the values I believe bring a community together, empathy, responsibility, and hope.

Throughout the year, I’ll be using this blog to share updates, highlight local heroes, and invite you to get involved - whether by volunteering, donating, attending events, or simply looking out for one another.

The Mayoral year isn’t just about events and initiatives. It’s about connection. It’s about showing that when we come together, across generations, backgrounds, and beliefs, we can build a stronger, kinder, more resilient community.

Thank you for the honour of serving as your Mayor. Let’s make this a year to remember – for all the right reasons.

Local Elections- Emperors new clothes!

A number of people have asked for my reaction to Thursdays results.

 I predicted it, and it hasnt surprised me. 

Most key players are known to me, although most candidates, now elected are new to me. Not even "apprenticed in Parishes" or local agencies! 

Personally and locally I am actually aware of the issues and how Nationally and at KCC level people feel they have been let down.  

I will remain and be  a REAL Community Conservative. Possibly a better Conservative than some others!   

 

SO All the more reason to be Mayor, so I can distance myself from politics and just be CIVIC,......but I am political and a damn sight better informed and able than most currently and frankly the reality is the County AND the Borough are in a mess with a total lack of experience and insight in reality.  The Borough year of ONE Year of Greens has meant very little happened and decisions made were abandoned. I dont have much confidence in ANY layer of government now! There is massive naivety. Which means  Civil Servants have more power with a Judiciary thats been given TOO MUCH.  

I was at Downing St and the Foreign office on Monday, they are literally clueless and ignorant or have decided to choose their own interpretation of some sort of stubborn arrogant attitude. 

I feel its all like the Emperors new clothing ...every body believes in a lie or something stupid!  Sooner or later I may say that! Sooner or later people may realise ....hopefully before too much damage . 

On the Passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis

My thoughts are with the Catholic community following the passing of Pope Francis. He was a man who, despite differences, showed great empathy and worked to consider everyone's needs.

I believe all people, regardless of faith, are entitled to their own views and must be treated with respect. His life reminds us of the power of compassion in a divided world.

At the same time, I am currently on my way to Downing Street to discuss the urgent situation in the Middle East. Now more than ever, we must work for peace with understanding and empathy.

Spring has Sprung: A Season of Renewal and Growth

 

We've changed the clocks, its nesting season and its actually brighter with more sun and light.   

As the days grow longer and flowers begin to bloom, local clubs and societies have been getting involved with the Great British Spring Clean, which comes to an end on Sunday 6^th April. Across our community, volunteers have been rolling up their sleeves to make a real difference, and I want to take a moment to celebrate their hard work.

A special shout-out to the 1^st Headcorn Cubs, who kicked off April by completing a litter pick around the village during their meeting on 1^st April. Their commitment to keeping Headcorn tidy is inspiring, and it is fantastic to see young people taking pride in their community.

Looking ahead, the Weald of Kent Rotary Club is continuing the momentum with a litter pick in Headcorn on 26^th April. These efforts don’t just keep our community clean, they foster a sense of community, responsibility and care for the neighbourhood in which we live, work and take part in various ways.

There are also many local volunteers that go out along their own roads, streets and lanes in their localities and do regular litter picks. These are just wonderful people.

We should also praise the professionals of the business who literally can’t be in all places at all times and deal with the reckless thugs that litter our environment with   various items thrown from cars & vans and dropped by people uncaringly as well as the criminally intent fly tippers.  

 

Photos from Syria

 The immediate photo is from our meeting with the Kurdish and free peoples General of Syria, next to him a very important woman that actually served as an inspiration to me when we met.

A week later  a peace deal is brokered .... some idiot in a Union jack waistcoat claiming to be concerned caused a few major thoughts in a few places ..... and prompted some action!  

Well I did mean business, but those that know me will know FOOD and recipes is an active interest and being let loose in a completely new cultural kitchen was HEAVEN to me.  

Security was good, thanks to the Kurdistan President in Iraq

Always a press/media interest in all our efforts and covered by all Middle East channels.

 

A week of Spontaneity, Community and Commitment

Before and after my time in County Hall on Thursday, I took the opportunity to make some spontaneous and casual calls to organisations doing incredible work in our communities. It is always inspiring to see the passion and dedication that fuels these initiatives - and today was no exception!

 

Community Cafés and Larders are thriving in Headcorn and Staplehurst, bringing people together and providing essential support where it’s needed most. With outstanding individuals like Martyn in Headcorn and Sonia in Staplehurst and many others at the helm, these projects are making a tangible difference. I decided to give them a call – and the response was heartwarming. They appreciated the visit, and there was a genuine sense of camaraderie. It was humbling to see their enthusiasm and to shake the hands of those who work tirelessly for the benefit of others.

 

Then, after spending hours in County Hall, I made another impromptu visit – this time to St John’s Ambulance in Maidstone. Their reaction was equally uplifting. They stopped their activities just to take a few photos and share their excitement. It is a testament to the sense of community and recognition that these organisations deserve.

 

As I prepare for my upcoming Mayoralty, I want to make one thing clear: this role is not about me. It is about celebrating the people and communities that make our Borough a better place. My mission is to champion these groups, acknowledge their efforts, and shine a spotlight on their significance.

 

Furthermore, I am deeply committed to supporting rural matters. Our countryside, our villages, and our rural communities play a vital role in our Borough’s identity and well-being. I will ensure that these voices are heard, their challenges addressed, and their contributions recognised.

 

Saturday 8^th March was also an important occasion – International Women’s Day. A day to recognise the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women in our communities and beyond. So many women play crucial roles in the initiatives I visited yesterday, and I am grateful for their dedication and hard work in making a difference.

 

On another note, and very dependent on women, I am so pleased that, just over a week after returning from Syria, progress is being made. A Kurdish-led militia alliance that controls north-eastern Syria has signed a deal to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state. It was actually signed by the General that I met! But his main support in the military work is a woman. I spent some time with her whilst we were in the heavily protected “bunker”  and "holed up" when we met. She was an inspiration for many.  However, like all big conflict deals and the aftermath of a long, bitter civil war, there is still much more to do, but every step forward matters. I can’t wait to return to see how the progress continues to unfold.

 

Sadly my week finished on a very sorry note. I attended the post funeral memorial service of former Ashford Borough Council Member Mick Burgess who passed away quite suddenly. I knew him for over 20 years firstly as a member of River Stour and Marshes Water Boards and then worked with him at Action for Communities for Rural Kent/ACRK. We were both staunch Ruralists, layman experts on streams, ditches/dykes, flooding, surface water and table water. We had other common interests too and he was a true gent. The church in Wittersham was packed and at the refreshments afterwards I met with many I knew from ARCK days and former Ashford MP and Deputy PM Damian Green.    The Mayor of Ashford naturally gave me permission to wear my Deputy Mayor Badge &seal.   

 

The week was a reminder of the power of connection, appreciation, and recognition. As I move forward, I remain dedicated to applauding those who work for the greater good and to fostering a spirit of unity and support throughout the Borough of Maidstone and the wider County.  

 

Following the Kurdistan fact finding mission

My motivations for going to Iraq and Syria were many, I have always felt the whole Middle East had a number of issues that were poorly understood and often incorrectly perceived. Frankly I knew untruths and lies prevailed in some matters and a complete lack of insight plus corruptions of reality were being used to influence opinions and emotions. I wanted to see for myself. I also wanted to see if I could offer an insight based on my experiences in Economic regeneration and democracy.  The League of Kurdistan nations asked for my help and my "grasp it and can do" attitude. Significant players in Labour Party circles offered me great respect and friendship to join them.

I am a "people person" and keen to support HOPE and aspiration and injustice for people and regions. 

If it sounds snobbish and conceited I am sorry, but I do have certain knowledge and experience that can help others. I should use that ...to their and others benefit. 

So I get annoyed when I return from a trip like this and get accused of "NOT being a proper Conservative".   Mainly by NON Tories and general public.   Having humanitarian views and  a sense of repairing the wrongs or in this particular case wanting proportionate democracy and rights for women  and a care for children seems like what I SHOULD and WANT to believe in...as a human being. I just happen to be a Tory! Because mainly of economic, law and order,  and defence motives. 

Are all 60plus Male Anglo Saxons ......with a desire to wear a tie or a decent suit in public....supposed to fit a stereo type .... that fits a certain pigeon hole?

I care...and I will try. I don't think that should be a sin. I actually think I am "PROPER TORY" and I make no apology for it!