Former MAYOR Jonathan Pallant

The annual Mayor Making Ceremony was somewhat different this year being held remotely without the traditional Robes, but none the less the votes were cast, appointing Cllr Jonathan Pallant as Mayor of St Ives, Mrs Carrie Pallant as the Mayoress, and Cllr Pasco Hussein as Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor's term of office is twelve months, during which time the Mayor and Mayoress will have a very busy schedule. Its not all about appearing at Civic events, the role also involves raising awareness of local groups, helping to promote the Town, arranging fund raising events to support local Charities and organisations, as well as continuing to work for the Community in the capacity of Town Councillor.

This year may well see the role becoming a little more creative as we all adjust to life during these challenging times.

If you would like to contact the Mayor, please email or call the Mayor's Secretary.

civic@stivestowncouncil.gov.uk

01480 388931

Introduction from The Mayor

My name is Jonathan Pallant and I am the Town Mayor for St Ives for the Civic Year 2020/21. I grew up not far away in the village of Hardwick, and after some time away at University and with work, I returned to the Fenland town of March in 2009, and then to St Ives in 2013. I live on Comet Way with Carrie, my wife, our two girls Scarlett (9) and Amelia (6), and Bella, our lab-collie cross. I used to work in Cambridge, but these days my day job is as an engineer at a product development firm based on the edge of town. Ordinarily, of course, this would be a short cycle ride away, but recently I’ve been working from my small home office.

Those of you who know me already will know I’m a big supporter of green transport, and am keen to support initiatives to make it easier to walk, cycle and e-bike around town. Of course, sometimes a car or van is still the most practical option, and I’d like to help make sure people can access the infrastructure that would make an Electric Vehicle a viable option.

I love St Ives for many reasons. It’s a beautiful town, with some wonderful old buildings and delightful views down by the river. But it has also managed to grow without losing that charm, providing a home to many thriving small-businesses, which are so important to a town’s economy, as well as offering much needed housing, intermixed with plentiful green spaces and meandering footpaths. But of course, above all, St Ives is defined by its people, and I have been staggered by the efforts of all the hard-working volunteers in the town, working away in their groups and charities, to make life better for other people. I want all these volunteers to know that I see you, I thank you for your tireless efforts, and that I want to to use my year as Town Mayor to shine a spotlight on all your efforts. In particular at this time, I want to highlight the work of Timebank, the St Ives Foodbank, and all those part of the St Ives Community Hub, who have been working together to help make sure that those people in need in our town are being supported in these difficult times.

For all these reasons, St Ives is a place I’m proud to call my home, and I look forward to working with everyone to make sure St Ives remains a great place to live, work and visit, even as we move through these uncertain times.

If you have any questions for me, or would like to tell me about an amazing group working in the town, you can reach me on civic@stivestowncouncil.gov.uk

You can also follow the Town Council’s activities on Twitter (@stivestowncounc), Facebook (facebook.com/stivestowncouncil) and on our website (www.stivestowncouncil.gov.uk).

The Mayor's Column: The Hunts Post

The Mayor has been invited to write a monthly column for the Hunts Post which he has happily accepted. If you have not received a copy of the Hunts Post, or have not yet read it on-line, you can use the links below to keep up with the latest articles.

https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/jonathan-pallant-writes-for-hunts-post-7657428

https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/st-ives-mayor-writes-for-hunts-post-7836530

The Mayoral Year

January Langley Bread

Every January, bags of groceries are distributed to Widows and Widowers who reside within the Parish boundary of St Ives and are on the electoral roll.

The tradition dates back to the 1650's when Robert Langley died and left money for the purchase of Bread to be distributed annually.

Over the years, Tea, Sugar, Butter and Biscuits have been added to the Bags and this year was no exception thanks to The Co-operative on Constable Road.

Normally the bags are collected from The Corn Exchange on Market Hill, but this year required a re-think due to the third Covid Lockdown. The groceries were delivered to the Town Hall to be bagged and sorted into delivery areas for the volunteer drivers - one of them being the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Pasco Hussain.

Grateful thanks to all those involved in ensuring Langley Bread was still possible this year.

The Mayor accepting Langley Bread Groceries from the Manager at The Co-operative in St Ives

Bags waiting for delivery

The Deputy Mayor loading his Car

Christmas under COVID

Christmas has been a somewhat muted affair this year with the usual Festivities and Events that would normally mark the arrival of Yuletide sadly cancelled. However, it wasn't all Doom and gloom, as many groups and individuals still managed to find ways to celebrate.

St Ives Ignite provided a Christmas radio show for the Town on the 20th December with many local contributions including a Christmas message from the Mayor which was recorded at The Bridge Church in St Ives. The Mayor also took part in a Zoom linked Sing along with St Ives Choral Society, and presented the awards for the Snowman Festival Winners.

The Prize money and Certificates for the Snowman winners were kindly supplied by Ellis Winters.

The runners up were The Courtyard and Dinky Dot Photography with the winner being La Muse. La Muse most generously donated the £200 prize money to Rheola and Field Lodge Care Homes.

Snowman winner La Muse

The Courtyard receiving their runner up Certificate.

Dinky Dot Photography receiving their Certificate

The Mayor's Charity Time Capsule

On the afternoon of New Years Eve, the Mayor & Mayoress braved the cold and wet to bury the 2020 Time Capsule in the Norris Museum Garden.

The content of the Capsule was an eclectic mix of Poetry and Prose, publications, signs and Posters, Photographs and memoirs sent in from local School Children, Community groups, local people and organisations. Other items such as Painted Rocks, Books, and other larger items will be kept safely locked away in the Museum until the official opening date.

Unfortunately, if you wish to know exactly what was submitted, you will have to pop along to the Norris Museum in 2050!

The Ceremony was broadcast via Zoom in which the Mayor thanked the many contributors to the project as well as all those who so generously donated funds for the Mayor's chosen Charities.

£670 was raised in total which will be shared between Pinpoint, St Ives Day Centre, CalmTown and St Ives Food Bank.

The Mayor standing next to the Time Capsules new home for the next 30 years!

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day and Armistice Day were marked very differently to previous years due to the social restrictions of COVID 19, but despite the low key Ceremony, the service was as moving and relevant as has always been.

A number of people stopped in the Town to pay their respects while wreathes were laid and the two minute silence observed. For those unable to attend, the proceedings were recorded and can be watched on-line. The details of which can be found on our Face Book Page.

The Mayor would also like to thank all those who helped in the organisation of Remembrance and those who took part, as well as everyone joining from the pavement for maintaining social distancing.

Hopefully next year will see the return of better days and the Parade!

Photographs curtesy of Tom Rawlinson.

Michaelmas Fair

Michaelmas Fair was certainly not the event we know and love that normally heralds in the Autumn months..

As social distancing is not something easily achieved at an event such as the opening of the Fair, or indeed the nightly openings there after, it was decided sadly to postpone the visit until next year.

The Mayor however, in keeping with tradition, still read out the Proclomation before the Chairman of the Showman's Guild accompanied by the Mayoress, Deputy Mayor and the Mace Bearer.

Photographs curtesy of Tom Rawlinson.

Carnival Floats

The Show must go on !!

Despite our new restricted life style, and the number of Summer events sadly cancelled, St Ives Carnival could not be thwarted.

Homes across the Town were invited to create a Carnival Float at their House for a virtual Carnival procession. The response was amazing, so we must thank the Carnival organisers and all those who took part for their ingenious efforts.

The Mayor and Mayoress, along with their two Children and Deputy Mayor Cllr Pasco Hussain, took part in the judging of the Virtual Parade on the 11th July, and the winning Floats are pictured here along with a selection of other entries on the day.

We hope you enjoy them as much as we did !

Farmers Market

The Farmers Market re-opens for Business

Saturday 16th May saw the return of our Farmers Market - albeit a scaled down version for the time being. Hopefully circumstances will allow the Market to slowly return to its usual capacity over the coming months.

The Mayor paid a visit in order to support the local Traders on the day with his shopping list, along with a willing helper for the shopping !