MAYOR'S MOMENT: Another busy week

It was good to see that the service was being well used and supported by its volunteers and I wish them well with the continuous good work they are doing.

That evening I was at the Windmill Theatre to attend the opening night of the Littlehampton Players Operatic Society’s production of Oklahoma!

I was pleased to have already discovered that the production had sold out every performance a week prior to opening night, proving what local companies can do with our live theatre, and this production certainly didn’t disappoint.

This was a polished production from start to finish, with everybody being perfectly cast in their roles.

The costumes, scenery and props were also well executed and provided perfect a setting for this classic Rogers and Hammerstein story.

The leads were expertly played by Tony Baker as Curly and Katie Newman as Laurie, with some excellent comic performances from the supporting cast.

The chorus was also particularly strong and their rousing rendition of the Oklahoma chorus really raised the roof with some excellent harmonies.

Having previously been to a number of the society’s shows this certainly proved to be one of their best to date and credit must go to directors Jan Combes and Lynne Jones and all their team for putting on such a great production, and I look forward to the company’s next show, Guys and Dolls, in April and would advise early booking to avoid disappointment.

On Thursday evening, as part of my duty as mayor, I chaired the full town council meeting, during which, in the public question time, we were made aware by Terry Ellis, of the Littlehampton Civic Society, that their group had won the New Sussex Landscapes award at the CPRE Sussex Countryside Awards 2017, for their innovative Rain Garden project at Maltravers Road, Littlehampton.

I would like to extend my congratulations and thanks to them and all that were involved in this project.

I finished my week by joining the members and friends of the Littlehampton Heritage Railway Association at Mewsbrook Park for the naming ceremony of their new engine.

The group have named the engine Daisy in memory of the granddaughter of one of their volunteers who sadly passed away earlier this year at only 12 years of age.

Her mum, who was present at the ceremony, told us that Daisy was unable to ride the train due to being in a wheelchair but enjoyed waving the train off with the green flag and was always made welcome.

The group are also currently converting a carriage to be able to take a wheelchair, which is one of the reasons why I have chosen to support them this year as my one of my mayoral charities.

Even while writing this I have been delighted to receive many emails inviting me to a number of different events across the winter calendar, and the diary is filling up fast so if you would like me to attend any events please try to get in touch as early as possible so that I can try to accommodate and support as much as I can.

Please get in touch via the town council on 01903 732063.