The Annual General Meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council on 21st May saw outgoing Mayor Brian Hopkinson present cheques to his three chosen ‘charities of the year’: Friends of Jubilee Green, Whizz Kidz and Heartful Dodgers.
The money handed to the groups derives from fundraising events organised by the town council over the past 12 months, principally the community festival in June and the firework display in November.
Before performing his final duty in office, Cllr Hopkinson reflected on his time in office, saying he thought the year had gone “very well” and it had been a “great privilege” to serve the community of Bradley Stoke.
In a lengthy speech, he reminded councillors of the inaugural Bradley Stoke Carnival, which he said had been an “extravaganza of colour sweeping through the cul-de-sacs” and the first-ever Festival Bed Race, both events having been instigated at his suggestion.
He also mentioned his proposal to hand over the Brook Way hard court area to a local charity and a yet-to-be-formed youth trust, which failed to gain the support of councillors last year, and he voiced support for a new idea submitted through the subsequent public consultation – that the land to be used to construct a theatre and media centre.
Councillors then voted to unanimously appoint Cllr John Ashe as the next Mayor and Cllr Roger Avenin as his deputy.
Photo: Cllr Brian Hopkinson presents a cheque to Michelle Dent (left) and Helen North (right) of the Friends of Jubilee Green.
Photo: Cllr Brian Hopkinson presents a cheque to Mike Walmsley of Whizz Kidz.
Photo: Cllr Brian Hopkinson presents a cheque to Louise Hill of the Heartful Dodgers.
Photo: Cllr John Ashe receives the chain of office from the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Brian Hopkinson.
This article originally appeared in the June 2014 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,450 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
I see consultation for Brookway tennis courts proved usefull NOT!! BSTC as usual only doing what they want, exactly how many people suggested a theatre and media centre in the consultation? That’ll help with the current parking problems.