A Day in the Life of the Mayor

Three of our young leaders had the amazing opportunity to spend a day shadowing the Mayor of Peterborough.  The chauffeured Limousine arrived at 10,30am promptly to take Daniel, Thomas and Freya to the Town Hall.  They had an excellent day and came back to school with many memories that will stay with them for a long time.

Report by Daniel Bonsor   

On Tuesday 12th May 2011 Freya Larter, Tom Crowson and Daniel Bonser (3 Young leaders) went on a spectacular trip to the town hall with Mrs Headaux to meet the Mayor.

They were picked up in the Mayor’s car and driven to the town hall by the Mayors attendant Frank Langan (chauffeur & assistant). When they arrived they were greeted by the Mayor- Keith Sharp in the Mayors parlour (part of the town hall). Next the Evening Telegraph took a quick photograph and left.

Shortly after a director from the museum came to collect the painting in the meeting room of Lady Francis. She owned the museum in the 1800's as it was a house back then and had gardens that stretched from the back of the building to the river!  After that they walked down to the police station as the Mayor had a meeting with a police officer – Dominic Glazebrook (he was 6ft 8!). When the meeting was over the children had a chance to ask a few questions and have a photo.

Following that event the 3 children and Mrs Headaux had a delicious lunch with the Mayor, Mayoress and the Mayors attendant. The Mayor talked us through some of the pictures on the wall including the tapestry of the five ladies of Peterborough.

The children then had a quick tour of the town hall. They met the chief executive officer/the head of the council Gillian Beasley, a communication officer and the council’s finance manager (he said the budget is £600,000,000 for Peterborough!)

Finally there was a citizenship ceremony in the late afternoon that lasted for roughly 45 minutes. Shortly before the meeting they met the Mayor elect for next year Paula Thacker. The ceremony was all about people from places like Iran and Pakistan becoming a British citizen. This process to become a British citizen takes 3-5 years to complete. As the Mayor is retiring soon this was his last citizenship ceremony, he was presented with a crystal that had Peterborough on it. He generously gave this to us and we have it in school today. The day had ended and the children had a great time!