As First Citizen of Royal Greenwich, I have the privilege of seeing our borough in all its glory: its energy, diversity and vitality, alongside its rich history, knowledge, innovation and enterprise.
My first four months as Mayor have been filled with opportunities to meet the people and organisations that make Greenwich such a special place.
Celebrating our graduates
The University of Greenwich embodies so much of what makes our borough special. From its beginnings as Woolwich Polytechnic to its move to the iconic Old Royal Naval College, at the heart of Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it has continued to go from strength to strength.
As Mayor, attending graduation ceremonies is a real privilege, and this year's celebrations in the Naval College Chapel were exceptional. The robes, traditions and magnificent surroundings all added to the sense of occasion. It must surely be one of the finest graduation venues anywhere in the world.
Seeing graduates from across the globe, joined by proud families who had travelled from far and wide, was a wonderful reminder of Greenwich's international standing. As the home of time and the Prime Meridian, our borough has a unique place in the world, and the university continues to build on that reputation.
My congratulations go to every graduate for their hard work and achievements, and to the families and academic staff who have supported them along the way.
Nobody left behind
At the end of July, I formally launched my Mayoral charity appeal for the year, supporting two excellent local organisations – Woolwich Service Users' Project (WSUP) and the South London Special League (SLSL).
It was a wonderful evening, with entertainment and delicious food kindly donated by Panas restaurant, and an opportunity for both charities to share more about their invaluable work.
While their work is quite different, they share an important belief that no one in Greenwich should be left behind. Whether someone is experiencing homelessness, struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, or living with a physical or learning disability, everyone deserves a fair chance in life, friendship and joy.
I first met WSUP in 2013, and it has been remarkable to see how the organisation has developed. It now has a permanent home and a much more established service, although its work still depends on a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers.
In September, WSUP was awarded a new government grant, allowing it to extend its support to six days a week, working alongside organisations including Greenwich Homeless Project, Emmaus and the council.
The charity offers a warm welcome, friendship and practical support to people experiencing homelessness or without a stable place to call home. From a hot drink and a shower to laundry facilities, haircuts, advice and games, these everyday comforts can make an enormous difference.
The South London Special League is equally special, providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities and physical challenges to enjoy sport, build friendships and develop their confidence.
Through football, tennis, coaching and tournaments, SLSL brings people together through a shared love of sport. My fundraising this year will particularly support its Powerchair Football programme, helping to replace ageing electric powerchairs.
The team now plays at the fantastic new Woolwich Waves Leisure Centre, where GLL has generously provided a sports hall and storage facilities.
We've already had 14 runners taking part in the Big Half to raise money for both charities, while the annual Golf Day, kindly hosted by Shooters Hill Golf Club, also raised a tidy sum.
There are more events to come, so do keep an eye out. If you would like to support these two wonderful causes, donations can be made through the Mayor's charity appeal.
A celebration of Caribbean heritage
Of the many brilliant events I've attended, the Caribbean Takeover at the National Maritime Museum must rank among the very best.
Organised in partnership by Royal Museums Greenwich and the Caribbean Social Forum, this annual celebration recognises the enormous contribution of Caribbean communities to our naval and maritime history, as well as the importance of trade and the cultural connections that have shaped Greenwich.
Importantly, it also provides space to reflect on the more difficult parts of that history, including the legacies of colonialism and the slave trade.
Exhibitions and films explored the experiences of the Windrush generation, recognising the injustices and challenges they faced while celebrating the courage, resilience and remarkable contributions of those pioneers and the generations that followed.
It was a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding our shared history, in all its complexity, and celebrating the communities that continue to enrich our borough.
Carnival time in Woolwich
Alongside the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, which is always a highlight of the year, I had the pleasure of joining the Woolwich Carnival.
It was brilliant to see the colour, joy and diversity on display, with people from so many communities coming together to celebrate their heritage through music, costumes and dance.
We are incredibly fortunate to have such a rich mix of cultures and traditions here in Royal Greenwich, and the carnival brings them together in spectacular fashion.
Judging the best entries was certainly no easy task!
Hats off to Taru Arts for bringing the whole event together It was particularly lovely to see local primary schools taking part in what has become such a wonderful family celebration.
Standing together with Nepal and Tibet
The devastating flooding in Nepal and Tibet in August reverberated far beyond the affected regions and was deeply felt by many people here in Royal Greenwich. Following the collapse of a Tibetan glacier, the disaster claimed around 1,400 lives, with thousands more reported missing and tens of thousands affected.
Royal Greenwich is home to London's largest Nepali community and, although smaller in number, the UK's largest Tibetan community. Many residents have family and friends in the affected areas, making the tragedy especially close to home.
I attended several events and vigils to remember those who lost their lives and raise funds for those affected. I also had the honour of leading our borough's own remembrance event, bringing people together to express our solidarity and condolences.
We were joined by the Acting Ambassador of Nepal, alongside local community leaders and faith groups, for what was a deeply moving occasion.
It was a reminder of the strength of our communities and the importance of standing together, particularly in times of such terrible loss.
100 years of Maryon Wilson Park
Among the many visits to schools, clubs, community organisations and faith groups, one occasion was particularly close to my heart – opening the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Maryon Wilson Park.
The park was, in fact, one of the reasons I originally moved to Charlton, so it was a real pleasure to mark this special milestone as part of the Parkfest celebrations.
It is a remarkable place. One moment you can feel completely lost among its woods and glades, and the next find yourself looking out towards the gleaming towers of central London.
Gifted to the old London County Council in 1926, the park has been managed by the borough since the early 1960s. Over the past 25 years, the Friends of Maryon Parks have made a tremendous difference, working tirelessly to care for and improve this much-loved green space.
Their work, alongside The Conservation Volunteers and corporate volunteering groups, shows just how much can be achieved when people come together to look after the places they love.
It was a fitting reminder of something I've seen time and again during my time as Mayor – that Royal Greenwich's greatest strength lies in its people, their generosity and their pride in the place we call home.