Press Release
A Christmas message from the Mayor of Brentwood Councillor Olivia Francois
Date: 22 December 2022
Another year has almost passed and as we approach the end of 2022, I am glad to have this opportunity to reflect on my Mayoral year.
As Mayor, I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had this year to support our Armed Forces of past, present and future. I am particularly proud of our Remembrance Day parade, with so many uniformed participants and a great community spirit. Thank you to all of you who supported the parade and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal this year. Your generous donations raised £63,500. The Poppy Appeal is supported by local scouts, cadets, veterans and volunteers who each year deliver and collect the poppy tins or host collection stands on high streets and in supermarkets.
I also had the honour of unveiling a new school library at Long Ridings Primary School in Hutton. The children are already seeing a huge benefit from the library and every pupil has the opportunity to grow a love for reading.
Christmas is a time for giving and it would be remiss of me not to mention the four charities that I am supporting during my term as Mayor. During this season of hope and joy, I offer my sincere thanks for all that they do. These include Parkinson’s UK, Cardiomyopathy UK, Saint Francis Hospice and Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. Parkinson’s UK is a charity close to my family and they continue to make a real impact by improving the life of everyone affected by Parkinson’s. I also chose Cardiomyopathy UK, which is a disease that directly affected a friend of mine. I also feel it is important to support our much-loved local hospice, Saint Francis Hospice. The care it provides is incredible and I know it has made a lot of difference to so many families with the support it offers. As an animal lover we are most fortunate in Brentwood to have Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. It does an amazing job helping all sorts of animals from all sorts of situations.
The death of our longest serving Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was truly historic and enormously significant event this year. The country mourned for our much loved, respected and honoured Queen but such sadness was tinged with the dawning of a new era with the beginning of the reign of His Majesty, King Charles III. To be Mayor at such a time and reading the proclamation for the people of Brentwood was an enormous privilege and I would like to thank everyone who came along to witness and be part of it. I am humbled and truly honoured to be Mayor at such a unique time in our country’s and of course Brentwood’s history. My deepest thanks to all those who helped organise the Proclamation of the Accession ceremony and those who represented their organisations and services with pride, including the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band who played the National Anthem beautifully.
One of the most difficult judging roles of the Mayoral year is the Christmas card and Christmas poem competition, inviting children from across the borough to submit their best drawing for the front of the card and to write a poem for the message inside. I would like to once again congratulate Chloe Rutherford, aged 8, who drew Santa dropping off presents by the Christmas tree and Ella McRae, aged 10, with her poem ‘My Christmas Wish’. The two winners of the competition joined me on stage at Lighting Up Brentwood to help me switch on the Christmas lights.
Earlier this month was my Civic Carol Service which is a wonderful tradition that always gets everyone in the festive mood. Everyone brought an amazing and infectious Christmas spirit to Brentwood Cathedral and the choir performed traditional carols, of which the audience joined in.
Christmas is a time for family, friends and communities to come together to celebrate life and most of all, to give thanks. This Christmas, I ask that you think of those in our community who may be isolated this festive season and check in with your vulnerable neighbours if you can.
Whilst we celebrate with friends and family, let us also remember with gratitude the dedicated staff in the public and emergency services, hospitals and care homes who will be working throughout the festivities.
Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2023 will be a peaceful, brighter and more positive one for us all. Please stay safe and make sure to enjoy some special moments with your friends and family.
Councillor Olivia Francois
Mayor of Brentwood