From The Mayor

I’ve been reflecting recently on how exceptionally lucky I am to enjoy this life as a councillor and as your mayor.

In my council work, we’ve been reviewing all the applications for grants that are available to groups and businesses that need help. There are so many amazing projects in need of funds, which makes it all the more difficult to decide where the money should go. Join us at the town hall on 25th February to hear the outcome of this round of grants.

Mayoral events so far in February have included popping into Canteen to see dozens of people enjoying hot food on a ‘pay-what-you-can’ basis and watching our amazing Frome College students perform their ‘Back to the 80s’ show; it was brilliant! I visited Purple Elephant’s community day at the Key Centre and learned more about their work with families. There was a dog show at the football club with Dogs for Health, including stalls with goodies to buy, plus teas, coffees and refreshments. Another fabulous family event.

On 8th February, I braved the rain to bless the apple trees at our Wassail ceremony at Weylands. I was also delighted to visit St. Louis Catholic School to address the whole school during their assembly. The children have been thinking about their aspirations for the future, with visits from police, pilots, mortgage advisors, quarrymen and lots more. What a great idea!

On Valentine’s Day I took part in a new event for Frome – the ‘Stacks of Love’ pancake dash. The crowds were cheering everyone on as they dashed from The Blue Boar up to the Boyle Cross before claiming a free pancake – a brilliant event.

The end of that day saw another brilliant event but not a new one, the lighting of our Valentine Lamp by new lamplighter Eddie Young. Again, attended by a huge crowd, with Morris dancers, music and poetry to support the lighting ceremony. Well done, Beverly Shakleton-Jones for organising it!

My life isn’t all roses, I’m currently healing from a skin cancer removal that’s refusing to heal and for the last few days I’ve been struggling with a kidney infection.

I’m very happy and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Cllr Anita Collier