The chairman to present a commemorative badge to Marrilyn Smart OBE, the retiring Chairman of the Council, in recognition of her service to the council and the local community. The outgoing chairman to address the council.

The chairman commented that Cllr Smart had at times been endured difficult situations in the chamber, but had always chaired meetings with great dignity.

She had been instrumental in setting up the Pride of the Forest Awards, which had now been running for four years celebrating unsung heroes across the district.

She had raised significant funds for two local charities: Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and the Great Oaks Hospice

In support of this, last year she had changed the Chairman’s Civic Dinner into the Chairman’s Charity Dinner so that the dinner and the Pride of the Forest awards ceremony were cost neutral to the council and also raised funds for Cllr Smart’s chosen charities.

She had been tireless in her support of the local battalion 1 Rifles and their families – perhaps the main highlight being the Freedom of the District Parade and family fun day in June 2009. She had been the driving force behind the event.

She had undertaken a wide range and high number of civic engagements and always gave 100 per cent in all her duties as Chairman of the Council, acting as an excellent advocate for the council and the district.

He ended by saying that it gave him great pleasure to present Cllr Smart OBE with a past chairman’s badge.

Cllr Smart thanked the chairman for the commemorative badge, which she would always treasure, and for his kind comments.  Hers had been an interesting term of office and, despite some difficult meetings, she would not have missed it for the world. 

She thanked all members and officers, past and present for their support and friendship and to Vice-chairman Dr Richard Long who has now retired from the council. She wished him well for the future.

She thanked in particular Sue Pangbourne, Peter Hibberd, Julie Jones and all in Democratic Services for their help and support and at times, their patience. She also thanked her original team of Simon Harper, Tony Wisdom and Marsha Llewellyn, and latterly Rachael Orchard, Karen Williams and Linda Macdonald.

She said that it had been a huge honour to be civic head of the district, following a family tradition of public service.

She paid tribute to the late Cllr George Read MBE, missing his sensible and wise counsel.  She added that the magnificent seat erected on Plump Hill was a wonderful tribute to his service to the community.

She hoped that she had conducted fair debate with a little humour and given everyone in this chamber an opportunity to speak, whatever their political persuasion.  She thanked members for the support given to 1 Rifles and their families, particularly during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2008 and again today in 2011.  She would always remember with great pride Armed Forces Day, 27 June 2009, when the council bestowed the Freedom of the District on 1 Rifles.  She hoped that Pride of the Forest Awards and chairman’s charity dinner would continue as an opportunity to hand something back to the community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

The Chairman to thank members for attending the Civic Service at St Mary’s Church, English Bicknor on Sunday 16 May 2010.

The chairman thanked members and officers for attending the Civic Service on Sunday at St. Mary’s Church, English Bicknor. She gave particular thanks to David Phillips, the Head teacher and the children of English Bicknor School and to Karen Williams and Anna Baglin from this Council. She announced that the collection at the Service raised £266 for the  Bicknor Bears Nursery.

She was particularly delighted to welcome the new Commanding Officer of 1 Rifles Lt. Col. James De Labilliere DSO. MBE who attended the service.

On the Chairman’s invitation, Cllr Gardiner added his support for the brilliant tradition of the civic service. It was a wonderful forum to meet such people as the Colonel of 1 Battalion the Rifles, who represented the brave people who risked their lives for the country. He praised English Bicknor primary school’s children and the wonderful education they received. He believed that such Church of England schools were under pressure and some might not survive. He admired the Chairman for her continued support of the civic service.