Scott Trickett - Final Mayoral speech

16th May 2012

Please find below a the transcript of my final Mayoral Speech, this year has truly been one I have totally enjoyed, embraced and one I will never forget....

Final Mayor Speech

Introduction and thanks

First of all may I say Amy and I have had a year we will never forget, Not only have we had our fantastic new born son Nicholas but we have had a year that will stay in our memories for the rest of our lives.

Year

Council Year

This has been challenging to say the least. There have been some very passionate meetings with strong opposing views. Whilst giving my opinion when it mattered, I felt I also chaired with neutrality, fairness and strength. I sincerely hope all you Cllrs feel I did this.

Mayoral Year

Since May Amy and I have done some absolutely extraordinary things;

Here are a few of the highlights

·         Opened the Mytholmroyd Gala with Black l Lace and Eric Pollard – led the conga round the field in Mytholmroyd – that was definitely a unique experience and probably will never be repeated

·         Opened the arts festival with the World’s strongest lady Betty Brawn – she was definitely not to be messed with

·         Vintage car rally

·         Starting fireworks in Hebden Bridge

·         Naming a bridge in Warstein -'Hebden Bridge'  - Many of you know I speak German so my speech was in German – when the press were interviewing me – I exclaimed how proud I was that when I was a student in Germany in 1989, my favourite Beer was coincidentally Warsteiner Pils – and now I am standing on a bridge in Warstein drinking the stuff with the Mayor of Warstein – I said ‘ Es gibt ein Gott im Himmel’ – they printed the full quote the next day in the local press
–  first ever fluent German speaking Mayor certainly initially surprised our friends in Warstein

·         Other events included Christmas lights and the first lighting of lights in Mytholmroyd for years and fabulous local carol services

·         Yorkshire day, with all the Mayors of Yorkshire region

·         Opened newly refurbished Cragg Park – a great honour in my home ward

·         Opened the first new business park in our area in years Cragg Country Business Park together with our MP Craig Whitaker – again a massive honour for the area and in my home ward

·         Sat next to Kay Mellor during the Picture House Gala night Fanny and Elvis – a major event in Hebden Bridge calendar

·         Represented the Council at the war memorials – this was very moving and an enormous honour

·         Helped open and made speech at newly refurbished Memorial garden – a truly wonderful asset for Mytholmroyd

• The memorial was originally opened in July 1922 by a local man who had been badly injured in the Somme, his name was Gilbert Hartley.
  The unveiling itself was carried out by Mrs Barbera Jeffries HIS DAUGHTER - fantastic moment

·         Over 20 school assemblies – including  Calder high and our first ever school twinning skype meeting between Hebden Royd Primary and Johannes Grundschule in Warstein. Rebekah Taylor or MEP and David Parry form our international group also  agreed to help with that. Over in Warstein along with the children will be the Mayor of Warstein Manfred Goedde and other Councillors for Stadtrat Warstein. I am absolutely elated over this event

o   This was my Mayoral theme and I have promised to the schools that this activity will continue from my side – I will also be linking the high school to the biggest exporter in our region Cummins turbo Technologies

o   I will also continue forging the business links with our schools – particularly the high school

·         In summary we have been invited and involved with well over 100 events – the whole year has been truly amazing and a real privilege

Mayors Charity

As a young person I had an opportunity supported by a local fund. this opportunity led to his current professional life in export sales, I am now is fluent in German and have worked  in Europe for over 20 years to generate valuable export business. My simple wish as Mayor this year is to enable as many young people in our area the same opportunity that I had and give them inspiration to drive for the wider world and to create more educational and business links, this will of course be good for the youngsters personal growth and local business accordingly.

The charity is to establish a fund to ensure young people with financial restrictions have the ability to engage in twin town activities with our twin town’s in St Pol, France and Warstein, Germany. It will also actively encourage School Twinning. I am also trying to engage children with International business and am help setting up links to encourage this eg Concentrix and Cummins Turbo Technologies. This is also why we are doing school assemblies to spread the benefits of international business

So far I have raised nearly £3000 – with some promised business donations still to come

We have had excellent links with our twin towns for many years and whilst benefits have been gained for many, a good number of enthusiastic young people with financial restrictions sadly cannot benefit. – I have worked very closely with the international group and as a fluent German speaking International business person , will continue in the future – I have already committed to the High school to further enhance business links on this basis.

The Skype meeting as mentioned earlier is part of the process to bring our schools closer together

Past Mayors

During my year I felt it was also really important to recognise the work of past Mayors

It’s absolutely fitting that my last gesture was to present Harry with the badge for Betty Ward – she was the first Mayor I experienced at first hand as a Councillor and too be honest I gained total respect for her ‘presence’ – let’s hope Betty knows  we are honouring her tonight

Going back to my experience again in May last year when I was taking over from Robin. I reflected on his year in my speech and what a great job he and Catherine did. During the speech I went to great lengths to congratulate him on the fabulous job and it really came home the enormous amount of work that had been done eg Bridge 500 celebrations. I then simply shook his hand patted him on the back and off he trotted.... This felt wrong to be honest

Therefore as the months went on I decided I had to put right that wrong and past Mayors needed a symbol / token that can be shown to the grandchildren etc. So as part of my Mayoral year I felt we had to put this wrong right and  present our past Mayors with a token of appreciation from us all for the enormous efforts that have been put into our community.

Close

All in all, from Council perspective this year has been challenging but I think I have led firmly and with authority and fairness and I do hope you agree Cllrs that I have chaired well. I have been tough at times but it was for a reason.

I pledge to continue the school twinning and school international links that have already been established. I am also still working on creating international business links with Calder High and the areas largest manufacturing exporter

From the Civic side Amy and I have thrown own heart and soul into the role and we have tried to serve our community to the best of our ability.

Thank you

Cllr Scott Trickett

Mayor of Hebden Royd Town Council 2011/2012