As his term as Calne Town Mayor comes to an end, Cllr Robert MacNaughton takes a look back at his year in the role.
by Cllr Robert MacNaughton
I have really, really enjoyed my mayoral year. It has been an honour, and a privilege to be the Mayor of Calne.
I have done my best to promote our lovely town, and to remind people in other counties where we are, and what we excel at. We excel in the number of community groups we have, often generously supported by council grants allowing each group to pursue their particular interests.
My intention this year has been to put Calne on the map through the succession of River Blessings we have organised; in September in Gloucestershire at the Source of the Bristol Avon; in December in Bath in Parade Gardens; in February in Stroud by the River Frome; in March back in Calne.
Bishop Andrew, and Tara blessing the Marden on March 16th
Our latest blessing was on the River Avon in Amesbury, which was quite an extraordinary event. We celebrated on the spot where our Ancestors of 10,000 years ago left their footprints, alongside the hoof prints of aurochs, the giant wild cattle, they were hunting.
River Blessing at Blick Mead spring in early May
Our rivers are being endangered by reckless water companies putting profit ahead of the urgent need to renew their antiquated infrastructure. Our rivers are living beings who need our help right now with the poisons that are being poured into them. They have looked after us for millennia; now it is our turn.
At our Civic Service in March, I was able to thank many people who have helped me through my Mayoral year; Luke and Millie DeBoer who ran the kitchens for the Mayoral Christmas dinner, Frank Rumble, David and Linda Biddel, and Tamzyn Long who work in all weathers along the Abberd Brook, and Liz the Connector who helps so many people in the town to find the support they need.
Tamzyn Long working on the Brook - She leads the River Warriors
I have visited many towns, and attended many civic functions. I visited Wells back in September and heard stories of Judge Jeffreys, and the hanging of so many young men, well over 200, on his tyrannical whim. He held his court on the site of the present Town Hall. Our history has many very cruel chapters.
On a lighter note, the Rule of Law ceremony in Salisbury at the beginning of March saw the Great and the Good including present day judges and magistrates, process from the Guild Hall to the Cathedral to uphold our modern Rule of Law; law that serves us all. The procession was a very dignified statement of the benefits of a society which respects a judicial system that is fair to all of us.
One month ago I was hosted by the Mayor of Wootton Bassett to see the delights of her town. It was a revelation. Bassett not only still has a butchers, and a bakers, and a vegan cafe. It also has a new auction house which opened after a £2.5 million investment from a group of private investors.
I had the pleasure of judging the best dressed duck for the Duck Race. Organised by the Lions who are a wonderful charity who raise, and donate, considerable sums of money to our community. I thought the duck made by William Fernandes (with a lot of help from his mum) for the Family Wise entry, with a bi-plane on its back was fabulous. So many entries were equally good.
And my last event as Mayor was the Classic Car Run organised by the Rotary club. Again I don’t know much about cars, but the enthusiasm of the owners was contagious.
This is a 1938 Riley Kestrel owned by Nick and Chris Lovell. Nick told me he bought it from his father; the love of classic cars being passed down from one generation to the next. A lot if the cars had huge teddy bears with them as passengers. I have no idea how that tradition started.
Our town is our people, and I thank every one of you who has helped my mayoral year to be so successful. Please forgive my mistakes, but also do believe I have enjoyed every minute of this honour.
