In the Mayor’s Parlour
By Radio Bracknell’s Station Director, John Hicks
I enjoyed a unique opportunity this week to meet with the Mayor of Bracknell Forest, Councillor Bob Wade, in the Mayor’s Parlour at Easthampstead House in Bracknell town centre here in Berkshire.
I say “unique” because never before, in all my many years in local newspapers and radio across the UK, has the local Mayor truly lived up to a self-proclaimed “open door” policy.
Cllr Wade does. This is not the first opportunity that I have had to chat to the Mayor about local issues, what Radio Bracknell is doing, upcoming local events and, in his capacity as the Council’s “Small Business Champion” and Radio Bracknell’s commitment to provide businesses with publicity for their good news, our mutual interest in the local business economy.
This was a meeting to which all representatives of the local media were invited. Sadly, only two of us turned up which was a shame. I do hope Cllr Wade was not put off by that. It was their loss.
The Mayor gave us a brief run down on the historic office of Mayoralty in the UK from the middle ages to today. He also outlined the heavy workload that the Mayor of Bracknell Forest contends with, all the more impressive because it is purely voluntary.
The honour is bestowed upon a leading member of the Council following a vote by their fellow politicians. This is not an elected role as with many cities, such as Mayor Boris Johnson in London, though the Borough could choose to go down that route if they wished.
I didn’t need reminding how prestigious the role is. I have attended or been involved in many events over the years and, without exception, a formal visit by the Mayor was always eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by those present.
From a purely personal perspective, and since this article is just that, I know of no better way of recognising the amazing work that volunteers within a community do for the fellow citizens than a visit by the Mayor.
Here in Bracknell Forest, Cllr Wade has introduced an award “celebrating success in our borough of opportunity” where he presents a certificate, often to people hidden from the limelight, who contribute to the life of the borough.
It is traditional for the Mayor to nominate a charity for which they wish to raise money during their term of office. It is often the case that this is a local charity with which the Councillor has a long-standing association and upon whom they can count on local supporters to help make any fund-raising events a success.
I suppose it comes as no surprise that Cllr Wade has broken the mould and chosen a national charity – the RNLI.
At this point, for the benefit of our overseas readers, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute is a purely voluntary body offering a rescue service to people in distress at sea or on the coastline.
Some of you might be wondering how this large national charity has any relevance in Berkshire, given that we are landlocked County many miles from the coast.
Well, the Mayor explains that it certainly has!
Currently, the RNLI can reach virtually any point within 50 miles of our coast line, within 2½ hours from call out.
To achieve this performance, the RNLI have 235 Lifeboat Stations with 330 lifeboats of different sizes. Their overall aim is to reach over 90% of all potential casualties that are within 10 miles of a Station, in 30 minutes.
In 2008 there were over 8,200 launches, resulting in 7,600 people being rescued. Half of these rescues were from users of leisure craft. Most interestingly, well over 200 residents of Berkshire have been saved by RNLI volunteers during the past 6 years!
The Mayor seeks to raise £22,400 during his term of office to build a new Operations Room for the Bembridge Lifeboat Station on the Isle of Wight, in neighbouring Hampshire.
Many Lifeboat Stations are now old and need total refurbishment to house new Lifeboats and give modern support to their crews.
The busy Bembridge Station is a typical example. It requires £1m to refurbish it to a standard fit to house and operate a new £2.7m Tamar Lifeboat. Currently, the crew operate out of a portable building and the money the Mayor wishes to raise, with many events in the planning stage.
So far, with the events already taken place, Cllr Wade has raised an impressive £4,000. He has set his sights high with another £20,000 in mind!
Radio Bracknell will take up this call to arms and get behind the Mayor. Naturally, we will be delighted to publicise and promote any of his fund-raising events.
But, further, we will organise our own live music event. We are currently negotiating with potential venues and plan to hold a major jazz concert here in Bracknell Forest in October. All the proceeds will be donated to the Mayor’s appeal. A number of major artists have indicated their support and we are putting a very exciting event together.
Our sister radio station, UK Jazz Radio, will support this event and give us publicity and help to promote it. Similarly, several jazz magazines have offered us free advertising.
As soon as we have the details, we will announce them. It will be our pleasure to play a very small part in the efforts of Bracknell Forest’s First Citizen to help holidaymakers, tourists, fishermen and sailors around our shores!
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