Mayor's blog

As I write these words, I am conscious it is the first day of December – a new month.

My last few words were written in October, and much has happened since that time.

Monday 23 November marked the half way point of my role as Mayor, and I can’t help but reflect on how much life has changed for all of us over the six months, and how much we have been able to achieve despite the restrictions.

I really hope some of you reading this will feel the same. Life is tough right now, but I want to try to shed some optimism your way through the work I am trying to do around the Borough.

Here are some of the November Highlights:

November 4th

I was delighted to start the month with a special visit to Charlton Village. Thanks to Carol Kenna, Chair of the Charlton society, for arranging my visit to the village and allowing me to share the amazing history of one of our oldest and most treasured communities. It was a real pleasure to meet the traders and business owners, and to see how everyone has adapted to restrictions in order to try to stay open during this time. It was great to see the fantastic historical photographs of the way Charlton looked a century or more ago – wonderful. I recommend a visit.

Remembrance events

This year the whole nation marked remembrance, but in a very different way. In Royal Greenwich, we were proud to play a significant part in the national period of remembrance.

Although several ceremonies were unable to take place, we were pleased to lay our wreaths at Maze Hill, Charlton, Thamesmead, Plumstead, Woolwich, Eltham and inside the Town Hall.

My thanks to fellow Councillors, the Deputy Mayor and the Leader for their support around the Borough.

We were able to collectively demonstrate that here in RBG we will never forget the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and democracy.

I was also privileged to be invited to a virtual ceremony for the victims of road traffic accidents. The charity Road Peace organised a truly moving event, which had a huge impact. I was moved beyond words as victims of traffic offences were remembered.

Diwali

It was indeed a true joy to share Diwali virtually with 5 or so different communities and learn how the Temple Community in each case is offering support during this time. Thanks to Greenwich Hindu Temple, in particular Dolly and Premila for their time with me. Thanks also to Kuldeep Seehra

from Ramgarhia Temple, and Gurmukh Mann from Woolwich Gurdwara.

Such a joy to speak together, I rounded off a great virtual Diwali experience with an evening meeting with Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. Thanks to Jaimal Patel for the amazingly well organised session, where I made a lantern, enjoyed a yoga session and also learnt first hand how 4,000 meals have been distributed through this organisation, and help has been available for students feeling lonely and stranded during lockdown. Amazing work – thank you on behalf of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Community contacts

I have been overwhelmed by the energy and commitment of our volunteers and support workers during the past months, and I feel very lucky to have this platform to be able to express how much all this means to the people who would otherwise be very lonely.

Thank you to Shauna, who organises support for our Irish community across Greenwich and Lewisham – I am looking forward to helping this group distribute some Christmas cheer to people isolated .

Also, a huge thank you to Lynda Munns of Crossroads Care – a team who provide a befriending service for isolated older people across all 3 Boroughs – Lewisham, Bexley and Greenwich. A team of 72 volunteers are involved in this work, and I think that says a lot about the wonderful generosity of the voluntary sector in our community – thank you.

I have shared virtual time also with Nicky Martin, the fairly recently appointed CE of Emmaus Greenwich. Emmaus are responsible for providing support and development for homeless people. Thank you .

Celebrating our front line

I was really pleased to meet the many workers at Birchmere Centre in Thamesmead. For those who may not know, this is the Depot where all our bin lorries, pupil transport, street cleaning is based. Our refuse collection and street cleaning are - I believe -  the best in London, if not in the whole country. I was so pleased to be able to thank these people personally for their work, and for keeping us clean and safe always, but particularly during these difficult months. Birchmere is a huge organisation, and offers apprenticeships and training to build up succession planning. I for one am so to celebrate this work.

Trains and more...

For those of us who have loved and visited the small gauge railway organisation based at Falconwood for the past 40 years, I am happy to report that the Welling and District Model Railway organisation have moved to Hall Place. Which isn't in Royal Greenwich,but its not far away, and it will mean the group will be able to open their doors and tracks again very soon. I will be there, and I thank Martin Thompson,Secretary of the organisation for a really great chat over zoom.

These are just some of the amazing people and events I have been lucky enough to share in November.

Finally….

Lights up

I was so pleased to be able to turn on all the lights around the borough with a live recording- never been done before but we managed it! Thanks to our teams for making sure the trees and lights were in place and it all came together! A start to the festive season.

Don’t forget Christmas outfit day on 11 December – take a photo and send donations to the Mayor’s charity at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/christmasoutfitday.

The work of the Mayor also includes chairing full council meetings, and supporting residents through casework in my ward, Eltham North. It's a busy life, but fantastic.

This blog has been longer than before, and I hope you have found something in it to brighten your day!

Please also follow the monthly video log I have been able to producing on our YouTube Channel!

I hope you can stay safe and remember hands, face, space at all times.

Look out for more news in December

Best wishes,

Cllr Linda Bird, Mayor of Royal Greenwich