I’ve been reflecting on my year as mayor and all the activities I’ve been engaging with.
I’m loving every minute and am looking forward to everything that’s still in store.
As mayor, any activity has to work around my council responsibilities but I feel thrilled that I’ve been able to combine the two, even while dealing with skin cancer and a gall bladder operation and still managed over 130 engagements in the last ten months without sacrificing anything. Having said that, there is a price to pay with the dedication the mayorship demands, in that my social life has had to be put on the back burner.
It’s a small price to pay and the knowledge that I’m fulfilling my obligations to both mayor and council positions is more than enough compensation for me.
I’m now realising that I only have a couple of months to go. My diary is filling up quickly and there are still plenty of things to do but I will do my utmost to complete my term, knowing I have taken every opportunity to respond to requests for visits and hopefully having left people feeling supported.
I began my mayoral year by declaring my focus on children and young people. I’m consequently delighted that I’ve been able to visit numerous schools, youth clubs, including cutting the ribbon at the reopening of the brilliant youth club at Vallis recently – festivals, groups working to support them and even using the children to help convey my Christmas message. I have learned a lot from them and have a strong belief in the talent that’s emerging as they work their way to adulthood. We should be very proud of them.
I’ve also been able to support businesses, community groups, ceremonial events and many others but if you’d like to know more about my work, I would love you to come along to the Town Hall at 7pm on 1st April for the Annual Town Meeting. It’s a very informal social meeting, with food and drinks available, interesting speakers, Civic Awards going to worthy recipients and a look back at all the mayoral activities since I began my term.
You would be extremely welcome, as always. I hope to see you there.
Pictured: Cllr Anita Collier with the 2026 kindness festival team
![Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/684201964_18069463433653265_2722712448142239347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=lpPD1lkIpzUQ7kNvwGc5hdb&_nc_oc=Adpzr2hnI58mBzDyMxcnkdK_pr7-84FAARfoTk3dgtKJKwIbvYouQytEkAdXpaUAvxU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=QKz5uslOl1wFJGffej9rcQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEhS3JmIIRGVtdvc7NeDg-szHPgOZvSeqR7PYflJsqm1cp0XCNujCDPTyODWI0mmJV4mujraOr9&oh=00_Af2_0pgXuakjMTfphq9JSx7v6C2RU__qPFT1d7jQmFh5EA&oe=69F7C6AA "Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams")
