What an incredible honour it has been to serve as Mayor of Maidstone over the past year. From my very first day, leading the Civic Parade through our beautiful town centre alongside the 36 Engineer Regiment and the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, I felt immense pride in our borough and its traditions. Riding in the ceremonial carriage was a moment I will never forget and a true privilege.
This year I continue to focus my fundraising efforts on causes close to my heart:
- Women and Children in Syria
- Young Farmers
- Heart of Kent Hospice
- The Big Cat Sanctuary
At the same time, I place great importance on supporting many other causes by raising awareness of their outstanding work. Supporting these charities has been deeply rewarding, and I have been humbled by the generosity of our community.
Welcoming friends from our twin town of Beauvais to the fantastic River Festival was a particular highlight, as was the opportunity to visit their twinning festival.
Celebrating Maidstone’s rich rural heritage has been a joy, from the County Show at Detling to local ploughing matches, gardeners’ societies, and food festivals. I have also had the pleasure of marking important cultural milestones, including the Hazlitt Theatre’s 70th anniversary and Sutton Valence School’s celebrations, as well as joining vibrant community events such as Diwali with the Maidstone Indian Association.
Remembrance services, VE/VJ 80th anniversary commemorations, and military and veterans’ events have held great significance for me. Health awareness initiatives have also been important, including leading the Baton of Hope through our town, which served as a powerful reminder of the strength and compassion within our borough. As Christmas approached, launching the Charity Donations Hub in The Mall was a heartfelt highlight, seeing residents come together to support those in need and truly embody the spirit of Maidstone.
Serving as your Mayor has been an honour beyond words. The greatest joy has been meeting so many wonderful people doing incredible work and showing outstanding dedication to service across charities, organisations, and businesses. Together, we have demonstrated wonderful kindness, resilience, and unity to make our community stronger than ever.
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