The Mayor’s Proud Of Bromley newsletter - August 2024

Your Mayor of Bromley 2024 to 25, Councillor David Jefferys

The fast pace and wide range of events that I shared with you last month has continued. There were 56 events undertaken by the Mayor and Mayoress throughout July and a heavy programme for the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress as well.

Talking with other Mayors, the programme in Bromley seems much busier than elsewhere, why is this? Primarily it must be the plethora of fabulous volunteer groups across our great borough. Secondly, our location, which sees invites to events in both London and Kent. Finally because previous Mayors have worked hard to make the Mayoralty valued and special in Bromley, which I hope to continue.

Celebration of achievements

A common theme of my recent engagements has been celebrating success and achievement, delivered through resilience, perseverance and dedication.

The achievements include in sport, where Team Bromley had an incredible victory at the London Youth Games, winning the overall title. With the trophy now received on behalf of Bromley, I look forward to further celebrations, with thanks to our partners at Mytime Active.

I have also recently celebrated the opening of three new playgrounds and the dedication of the Obelisk in Betts Park, delivered by local groups with grants from the Bromley Jubilee Parks Fund. Similarly, I shared in the enthusiasm for the establishment of the Tiny Forest in Cator Park, with thanks to all those involved on the wet afternoon!

There were many events celebrating the achievements of our young people and I had the honour of awarding certificates at various schools for the end of the academic year. This included Dr Fazil Kucuk Turkish Language School, the student graduation at the University of Greenwich and at the Metropolitan Police Volunteer Cadets Annual Awards at the Warren.

A particular highlight was the South London Marks and Start Awards with the Princes Trust held at the Marks and Spencer store in Bromley. The twentieth anniversary celebration was incredibly moving, where attendees heard all about the life changing impact on those who had graduated through the Marks and Start Programme and how they had made the most of the opportunity involved to kickstart their careers.

I am always struck by the dedication of our teachers, which is shown clearly by all the out of hours activities I see undertaken across the borough. We recently supported pupils from Hayes and Charles Darwin schools who took part in the Step into Dance celebration organised by the Jack Petchey Foundation. I then spoke at the South East London Technology Science Challenge for years 8 and 9, presenting the awards to pupils from Bromley, who are now going forward to the National Challenge Finals in December.

It is so important to say thank you to teachers that make all this possible, and I had just such an opportunity recently in a surprise visit to Chelsfield Primary School to present a certificate of thanks to their headteacher for 30-year service.

Health and heritage

Much has progressed on my health and wellbeing Mayoral theme, including from the opening of the One Bromley Wellbeing Hub in the Glades, the second anniversary of the Orpington PCN Wellbeing café, a speech to a South East London Mind workshop on creativity and mental health and at an informal visit to the Bethlem Museum of the Mind.

Culture and heritage were also strongly featured during July with many walks and visits. A wonderful concert from the Newstead Singers also took place supporting Welfare in Bromley, one of my Mayoral charities. There was also a fabulous summer garden party organised by Bromley Youth Music Trust (BYMT) with not one but 7 bands and orchestras performing between the thunderstorms.

Civic events

We were lucky enough to have our major Civic events graced by warm sunshine recently. The volunteer’s celebration, which I hosted in front of the Old Palace, was an important evening to thank some of Bromley’s great volunteers, with thanks also to BTYM for providing music on the night. The Bromley Stars event for our council staff then followed, with 13 members of staff receiving certificates for 25 years of continuous service to Bromley, showing incredible dedication.

The Civic Service took place at Holy Trinity Church in Bromley Common. A well-attended service with several Mayors and residents from across the borough. As it was also Sea Sunday, we welcomed representatives from the local sea cadets, the Royal Marine Reserve, the Naval Veterans Associations and the Royal British Legion with their standards. The choir was provided from St Marys Church Shortlands and my chaplain, Roger Bristow gave a powerful sermon about the Mission to Seafarers and on community service.

I hope you all have an enjoyable summer and I look forward to updating you in September on all the summer engagements we have coming up.

Best wishes,

David Jefferys

Mayor of Bromley 2024 to 25