The mayor of Leek, Cllr Bill Cawley, has reflected on his first month in the role after being appointed in May. Read what he had to say below...

I have been Mayor for nearly one calendar month, it has been as busy as I expected. The Platinum Jubilee has driven most events in my first 30 days. My wife and I started with a bang by attending a Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace. A day of sunshine and showers we chatted to many people who had done many worthwhile things for their community such as the Brummie delivery driver who had delivered many meals to vulnerable people in the city during the pandemic. It was a memorable day.

We also went to the County Show and participated in the loyal parade around the parade ground in the company of the Chairman of the District Council Cllr Holmes and his wife.

I also enjoyed the smaller community events in Leek such as the raffle call out in the Valiant which seemed to stretch out to the crack of doom with 68 prizes. They were a nice crowd and they raised £1500 for charity – very positive.

I should also mention the call out organized by our esteemed Town Crier Bill Lomas, a considerable source for good in the town, which took place on the Thursday afternoon in Sparrow Park which was well organized and which he funded out of his own pocket.

I also went to the concert at Joiners Square where the Phoenix Choir sang in a one act musical play "Queen's Shoulders "to great acclaim.

Our visitors from Este had an enjoyable time and I addressed them in a few sentences in Italian. They attended the "Aloha Leek" event at Leek Town Football Club which was a great success. I followed it up thanking the Mayor of Este for their fine gift of pottery, I penned a few words in Italian in appreciation.

Slightly further afield I went to the Beacon Lighting at Endon as my wife sings in the community choir – a great night.

In terms of community activity, I was involved in the great paving stone defence in the market place with the cable laying contractors and I have subsequently taken up the matter of the Nicholson War Memorial and shoddy work.

I laid a wreath on behalf of the Town Council in memory of those who gave their lives in the Falklands War on the 40th anniversary of the conflict.

I also attended the @21 AGM in the Market Square - interesting discussion and points raised.

I have been working closely with Denise on preparing for Civic Sunday on the 3rd July. The theme will be diversity. The reception will be held at Leek Cricket Club and a match is scheduled!