Cllr Bill Crawley has attended some 86 events as Leek Mayor since May 2022. We have asked him to review the most enjoyable. Here are his top five in reverse order.
Ukrainian Independence Day- September
‘This was an emotionally charged event,” says Bill. “My speech quoted the Ukrainian national poet Taras Shevchenko on the bloody past of this country. I concluded by asking one of the young women in the group to say in her language “God Save the Ukrainian People”. She responded by bursting into tears.”
Halloween Karaoke Valiant pubs
I really enjoyed the Halloween weekend, not only the popular ghost walks but the gig at the Silk Mill. I think it should be made a regular event. The funniest incident remains the time when Cathy and I sang the Dolly Parton / Kenny Rogers song “Islands in the Stream”. I was wearing make up as a vampire as we attempted the song. Cathy, by the way, is an excellent singer. We reached the line in the song
“And we rely on one another, ah ha “
Suddenly one of the “Valiant” regulars chipped in all Alan Partridge “AH HA”
Ability Counts Leek Town Football Club prize giving July “Winking Man”
This was a very heart-warming event. It was good to witness the good cheer and banter from the players. There was obvious pleasure and good accord between the football players and their supporters as the prize winners were announced. I returned to see them play just before Christmas to see them a friendly against Bootle.
Este, November
This was outstanding with wonderful and generous hosts. There were many highlights but the revised Italian constitution provided the greatest moment. I said a few words in Italian and it left a warm glow that the new constitution with its enhanced environmental content was so welcomed. It was a captivating moment. It was difficult to select one moment but the one with the greatest long-term implications.
Civic Sunday July
This event went like clockwork and thanks to Lyn, Matt and Mark for seeing the day went well at the church and the cricket club. The catering from Cultural Zebra was perfect. The African drummers were very well received and I even had the Jacobite soldiers to inspect before the ceremony. Then there was the breezy and exhilarating ride in Franz’s tuc tuc . My speech long in the planning and well received. All in all, a perfect day ending with the cricket match. I almost expected a Spitfire to fly over at the end.