Mayor of Kenilworth looks back at 2024 highlights
As 2024 rushes to an end, it is remarkable to look back at all that has happened in Kenilworth in the last six months since I had the honour and privilege in May of becoming mayor and my wife Eva Zanyi, mayoress.
A key feature of this wonderful town is its strong sense of community. Since becoming Mayor, I have seen firsthand the huge amount of effort that people from across Kenilworth put in to help and support their fellow residents.
I have chaired five full Kenilworth Town Council meetings since I "put on the chains".
If you want a real insight into how Kenilworth is run, then please do attend one of these meetings, they are open to the public.
The meetings have considered and approved many funding requests, passed a multitude of resolutions and supported numerous motions, including inviting the leader of Warwick District Council to discuss how WDC can work more in partnership with Kenilworth Town Council.
In addition to chairing the town council, I have had the privilege to represent the town at 75-plus engagements in the last six months. Here are just very few of the incredible events that have happened in Kenilworth in this time.
Repair café: One of my first events was to visit Kenilworth's amazing Repair Café.
What a great job the team there do every third Saturday of the month; if you can carry the object through the door, and if it is fixable – they will repair it for you.
KTC at 50: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kenilworth Town Council, a reception was held for the previous mayors at the castle, where the first Town Council met in 1974.
I am in fact only the 36th mayor of Kenilworth as nine people served twice and three people, three times. A history of the previous mayors has been prepared and will be available in the Library shortly.
D-Day 80: On 6 June 1944, Allied soldiers stormed ashore at Normandy.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of this momentous occasion and as part of a national commemoration, an event was held at the castle, which included the ringing of the town's church bells, singing by local school choirs (the children then signed the special D-Day flag which had been flying at the town council), a piper, the reading of the poem that signalled the invasion to the French Resistance, in English, French, German and Italian by Kenilworth's Twinning Association, a service by the British Legion, and lighting of a beacon on top of one of the castle's towers.
Clean air day: For (part of) one day, Warwick Road was free of cars and trucks, and people could walk and cycle in the unpolluted air.
The Two Castles Run: This very popular event attracted thousands of runners, including two of my fellow councillors, James Kennedy and Richard Dickson. Well done to all those who took part.
Paths at the castle: On the 9 July I got to open the wonderful new paths at the castle with a sword and in the company of Queen Elizabeth I. These paths will make the Castle far more accessible to all visitors.
Lions ambulance to Ukraine: On 17 August we waved off Kenilworth Lions, Bill Birkett and Ivan Pointon, as they drove an ambulance donated by the Lions to Ukraine.
Ukraine Independence Day: To celebrate this day and continue to remember Ukraine's brave fight again Russian aggression, on 24 August, in the presence of local Ukrainians and Sir Jeremy Wright, the Ukrainian flag was raised outside the town council offices.
Eppstein Visit: In August, residents from one of our Twinned Town – Eppstein in Germany, paid a visit to Kenilworth, to mark the 30th anniversary since the twinning agreement was signed.
Fireworks: The Roundtable's annual fireworks at the Castle was once more a dazzling success with the Castle brilliantly lit up with an array of colours.
Remembrance Sunday: A highlight of every year is the well-attended Remembrance service at the War Memorial. Many of Kenilworth's societies and organisations lay a wreath, and the event culminates with a march past.
Christmas Light Switch On: On Friday 29 November, the Christmas lights in the High Street were switched on by Margaret Kite to celebrate her 93rd birthday and all the amazing work she does collecting for charity in the town.
The lights on Warwick road were switched on, on Sunday 1 December.
On stage was Anne Cross to thank her and all the staff and volunteers at the Waverley Day Centre for everything they do for Kenilworth residents. Large crowds enjoyed both events.
Waverley Christmas lunch: A very special occasion for me, I served Christmas lunch at my mayoral charity, the Waverley Day Centre and afterwards I also got to enjoy this delicious meal – thank you!
Priory Theatre Pantomime: The Lions sponsor a "night at the pantomime" allowing Kenilworth residents – who otherwise might not be able to attend – to thoroughly enjoy this uniquely British "cultural experience".
Where else can you go to see the Mayor of Kenilworth covered in shaving foam!
Then came the Boxing Day celebrations at the castle, and the legendary Lions Duck Race – where I had the privilege of emptying a bucket of ducks into Finham Brook at the ford.
Over the year, I've also been invited to a number of very interesting events by my fellow civics, the Mayors of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford, Alcester, Coventry, Evesham, Southam and Solihull as well as the Chairs of WDC and WCC and the High Sherif of Warwickshire.
Thank you very much for your hospitality
As we look forward to 2025 there will be many more events that celebrate all that is special in our town.
Thank you to my mayoral cadets for their help and a huge thank you to the Town Clerk, Maggie Field, and her two amazing officers, Gemma Honey and Miles Wyatt-Smith for all that they do for the Town and the Mayor.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Kenilworth.
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