It has been an honour and a privilege, and also a lot of fun to be your mayor this year and I'm sad to be hanging up my chains after 85 wonderful events.

I've met fabulous people and community organisations, too many to mention, who provide the backbone to our town and help our quality of life so much.

Kenilworth's resilience after the trials of the past few years never ceases to amaze me. We have truly bounced back.

I wanted to support young people, and aim to continue my work with the Kenilworth Centre on the "Pathway to Work" scheme.

Residents tell me that they want to know of what's going on, and thanks to the town council Office, much more information on council decisions as well as events is going out to you.

I'm proud to have been behind the new signage, and there's more to come as our leisure developments continue to be built.

Kenilworth Footpath Preservation Group made a donation to Cllr Alix Dearing on Sunday 7 January (image via KFPG)

Closer relationships are being forged between Businesses and the Town Council. Last week I interviewed the stallholders at our Thursday market and learned of how they feel the footfall could be improved – the Business and Visitor Economy Group are helping with this.

The Talisman theatre extension was opened in March.

Abbey Fields Swimming Pool is now going forward with its opening slated for 2026, and we are hopeful that the Fair and Carnival will be at its new site after a meeting with stakeholders and representatives from Town and District Council held at Jubilee House.

February's Community Forum was a great success, attended by a record 50+ people. Kenilworth School Headmaster and three youngsters from Kenilworth Schools Eco-Group, kicked off the evening, followed by a talk from WDC on housing plans.

Cllr Alix Dearing at the Christmas Market in Talisman Square (image supplied)

Then Ben Hayday on free opportunities for local residents at Warwick University and finally a briefing from Craig Ricardo our PSCO on crime trends.

I am pleased to report the efforts of the Cycling Group who have worked tirelessly with local groups to plug the gaps in connectivity between the town and Kenilworth School.

In this they have established better links with District Council and County Council Highways and continue to go forward.

In addition Kenilworth Town Council has worked with the Talisman Square Group to remove the planting to beautify the town at eight different locations.

Cllr Dearing meets the Kenilworth Town Juniors Netball Teams (image supplied)

It is people who make a town, and in accord with our motto Oppidum fundamentum Cives, I presented the following Mayor's Awards of Merit at the Civic Tour this month for: outstanding achievement, valuable service to the community or bravery.

These were to:

• Sharon Maxted - initiation and organisation of the Repair Café, now in its 4th year
• Sue/Raj Rajkumar at Bridge St News - bravery and their community support
• Jan Cooper retiring Chair of Kenilworth Historical and Archaeology Society - her contributions to and protection of Kenilworth's Historical assets and long standing delivery of the Civic Tour.
• Fern Arnold of the Climate Group and Bee Friendly Kenilworth, Wayfinding Group and all round support of Town Council initiatives
• Chris Coton recently retired Chair of KATA – 24 years of practical support and Chairmanship
• Jane Cunningham - Walking for Health and the Uyogo Friendship Link plus her work supporting Refugees.
• Gwen Peat – 40 years managing Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied who can't be here today
• Farida Butt - Community Support for Ukraine and Refugees.

And for the first time for many years, I am awarding The Young Person's Award: Isadora McAinsch and George Bell of Pedal to Protect.