Mayor1920

Outgoing Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Joy Allen, used her time as Mayor to raise almost £6,000.00 for two local charities, Angel Trust and the Durham branch of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) The Armed Forces Charity. She was able to support two charities as her mayoral term was extended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, supporting one in each year of her term.

To fundraise for the Angel Trust, a number of events and activities took place, including a Halloween Quiz Night, an International Women’s Day Event and a 26-mile sponsored walk. All events were supported by some great raffle prizes from local companies which helped to raise such a great sum of money. Sadly, some of the planned events fell within the first COVID-19 lockdown but in the true spirt of fundraising many ticket holders donated their ticket money to the Mayor’s charity. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns added to the fundraising challenge for SSAFA in the extended term, however a large donation from Voneus Broadband bolstered the funds to this charity.   

Joy Allen, said: “Living in Bishop Auckland and representing this community has been a privilege. I have been fortunate enough to be able to fundraise for two wonderful, hardworking local charities during my back to back terms as Mayor and I hope the money we have raised as a community will help both charities well into the future.

I chose Angel Trust for my 2019-2020 term because they are a well loved Bishop Auckland based charity who do amazing things for the people in our communities, especially those suffering hardships. The team at Angel Trust are some of the most dedicated people I have had the pleasure to work with, and I am pleased that I have been able to raise a total of £4,792.14 for them, of which £498.79 was donated from my Mayor’s allowance. I would like to add a special thank you to Cello Electronics who donated a raffle prize of a TV which helped to raise over £300.00 for the charity.

SSAFA are a charity close to my heart, and I am thrilled that I will still get to work with them as their first Durham Branch local Patron, as I take up the role of Durham Police and Crime Commissioner. Whilst fundraising has been difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic, I have still managed to raise £1,205.09 for their social isolation fund, of which, £205.09 was from my Mayor’s allowance.

It is heart-breaking that the Covid-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on small businesses and charities across our region, I hope my fundraising donations help these local charities to continue their great work.   A special thank you goes to all those who supported my fundraising efforts by attending events and donating prizes.  I wish the incoming Mayor the best of luck with their fundraising efforts.”

Clair McGregor, Chief Executive of Angel Trust has said “We would like to give thanks to Joy for her amazing fundraising efforts during her term. Angel Trust are honoured to have been selected as the Mayor’s chosen charity and have thoroughly enjoyed working together to raise funds, the generous donation will be used to improve our local community and help individuals/groups that are facing hardship.”

Mike Donne Branch President, for Durham SSAFA has added “Thank you Joy for choosing SSAFA South West Durham Division as your chosen Mayors charity for 2020/2021. Throughout the pandemic the Division has been supporting local veterans and their families who suffer from social isolation. From the lockdown starting in October, we have used our social isolation fund to deliver bacon rolls, a Christmas dinner, and goodie bags every two weeks to 70 plus veterans whose average age is about 78. The beneficiaries have been grateful for the deliveries and enjoy the five-minute chat with the volunteer delivery drivers. As the restrictions are lifted there is a continued need for our micro befriending service as many of the veterans are of an age or suffer ill health which keeps the in isolation. This magnificent donation will allow us to continue this vital work over the coming months.”

For any further information contact the Town Council on 01388 207110 or e mail council@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk

 

Mayor of Bishop Auckland Councillor Joy Allen reflects on the year 2020 and shares her Christmas message with the Town.

It goes without saying that 2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone. Particularly those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19. My sympathy goes out to families and friends who have lost loves ones and those enduring long periods of separation.

Because of the Coronavirus we have seen vulnerable people shielding, families and friends kept apart and the devastating impact the lockdown restrictions have had on our local businesses.

The crisis has meant we have had to adapt and do things differently. I have been truly amazed at the kindness and generosity of those living and working within our town. From helping the most vulnerable amongst us with their shopping and prescriptions, to supporting local foodbanks and demonstrating our appreciation and gratitude to the NHS, Care workers and front-line staff. Where it was possible businesses adapted to comply with the ever changing restrictions. I am grateful to everyone who has and continues to support them by shopping locally, it not only helps them and our high street, it helps protect local jobs. I have been so proud of the people of Bishop Auckland whose response to this pandemic has been remarkable.

It was really disappointing to have had to cancel so many planned events this year such VE and VJ day, Food Festival and the Christmas light switch on. However, I was delighted when partners came together to ensure that Christmas still came to town and we now have an amazing light projection in our market place that people can come to see and enjoy.

As the year draws to a close and the roll out of the vaccine gathers pace, I am optimistic about the New Year ahead and hopeful for the future. 2021 is now looking very positive, with the opening of new attractions such as the Spanish Gallery and Auckland Castle’s Walled Garden, the return of KYNREN and journeys on the Weardale Line, the reopening of the Town Hall, Art Gallery and Theatre not to mention the much anticipated multi-million pound government funding from the Future High Street Fund and Stronger Towns Fund. All of these things combine to make Bishop Auckland economic prospects unlike any town in the area. The possibilities and opportunities are endless they will go a long way to cement the towns future as one of the premier visitor destinations in the region.

On behalf of Bishop Auckland Town Council, fellow Councillors and Town Council Officers, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and above all a healthy 2021.

Saturday 15th August was the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day.

On behalf of Bishop Auckland, Mayor Councillor Joy Allen shows respect to those that fought and made the greatest sacrifice.

As the Mayor of Bishop Auckland, I was honoured and privileged to be invited by SSAFA Wear Valley Division to meet, a local man, who at the age of 19, landed with his regiment in Normandy, having joined the army two years previously. Tom Robson who is now a 95 year old veteran was awarded 39-45 Star, France and Germany Star, The Defence Medal, The War Medal, The TAVR Efficiency Medal and the Legion d’Honneur and mark the 76h Anniversary of D Day Landings.

On 6th June 1944 over 150,000 troops landed in Normandy, supported by more than 7,000 ships and smaller vessels off the coast and 11,000 aircraft with the aim of liberating Europe from Nazi occupation. Sadly approximately 4,300 British, Commonwealth and Allied casualties were reported killed, wounded or missing after the D Day landings.

D Day was the largest amphibious assault the world has ever seen and D Day remembrance services continue to honour all the Armed Forces personnel who fought and sacrificed their lives, veterans and their families.

Tom regularly attends all the formal commemorative services in Bishop Auckland to pay his respects and lay commemorative wreaths and was determined as ever, to lay a wreath again this year. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of the risks posed, SSAFA took the difficult decision to scale back formal commemorative events this year. However, they still wanted to commemorate the bravery of soldiers like Tom who landed on the beaches of Normandy, so SSAFA arranged to hold a D-Day Drumhead Service at Tom’s families’ home with valued support from the Bishop Auckland and Hartlepool branches of the DLI Association.

A Drumhead Service is a church service which was usually conducted “in the field’ during armed conflict, often near the battlefront. The altar of a traditional service is replaced by a stack of drums covered by the Colours of the Regiment. On Saturday, it was the Colours of the Royal British Legion Bishop Auckland Branch that were draped over the assembled drums.

After the Drumhead Service at Tom’s home, SSAFA and the armed forces representatives held another service at the Bishop Auckland Cenotaph where they laid the wreath on Tom’s behalf.

In these unprecedented times its important, wherever possible, we find ways to remember those who give so much for our freedom. We should never forget the ultimate price so many of them paid. Its hard to imagine how someone as young as Tom, at only 19, was prepared to fight to liberate France from the Nazi occupation and help us win World War 2.

We will continue to remember them.

 

Organiser: Ruth Wright Treasurer SSAFA Wear Valley Division.

At Tom’s House:
Speaker and Exhortation Mike Donne: President SSAFA County Durham.
Bugler: Alex Nimrod DLI Association.
Piper: Arthur Middleton, Chairman Bishop Auckland Branch The Royal British Legion.

At Bishop Auckland Cenotaph:
Exhortation: Arthur Middleton.
Bugler: Alex Nimmo DLI Association
Wreath Layer: Mike Donne
Piper: Pipe Major Doug Ratcliffe, Bishop Auckland Pipes and Drums.
The Standards were, SSAFA Wear Valley, The Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association, DLI Association Bishop Auckland and the DLI Association Hartlepool.

The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Councillor Joy Allen, is calling on residents to be vigilant as there has been a surge in phishing scams both online and by phone.

Durham County Council and Trading Standards have asked us to remind residents not to give out their personal information over the phone to prevent scam callers taking advantage of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Its okay to reject, refuse or ignore requests for personal information. Take the time to check out the person or organisation making the request to confirm that they are in fact genuine.

This week is Volunteers’ Week and its our chance to celebrate and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK and particularly those giving their valuable time to help others here in Bishop Auckland.

It has not been possible to include all volunteers groups operating in Bishop Auckland but we would encourage charities and volunteers working in the town to share a photo and post about their experiences as a volunteer or the value of volunteers to their organisation.

Finally, if you would like to find out more about volunteering and volunteering opportunities County Durham Volunteering email volunteering@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

We have tagged all those we can but not to forget the Brownies and Guides of Bishop Auckland.

#volunteersweek2020 (Facebook)