The Mayor’s Proud Of Bromley e-newsletter was distributed on 13 November 2024.
Read the Mayor’s introductory message.
We will remember them
One of the most important occasions in the Mayoral calendar is the period of Remembrance, which was made all the more poignant this year by marking the eightieth Anniversary of the D-Day landings. I was honoured to lead in reflection and remembrance as First Citizen of Bromley, as council representatives laid wreaths at services across the borough this Sunday.
As the nation came together to reflect and give thanks for those who have served, it was particularly encouraging that so many young people joined Remembrance events in Bromley. As noted at the service at Bromley Parish Church, retaining the importance of remembrance in the younger generations is key to ensuring we as a nation learn lessons from our past. We will remember them.
Further to remembrance, I am pleased to share my recent highlights, with 68 further engagements taking place in October for the Mayor and Mayoress, building on the busy schedule we have had to date.
As shared with you in the last edition, the Mayor’s team has now completed the move to our new offices and Parlour at Bromley’s new civic centre, Churchill Court and I know colleagues from across the council are hard at work so the whole council can be relocated by the end of the year.
Bromley and the world
A major theme this month was Bromley projecting itself on the world stage. I was delighted to inaugurate the Henry Charles Commonwealth International Youth Football Competition at Bromley Football Club. This competition has been established in memory of Henry Charles, who was the Director of Youth Sport for the Commonwealth and died last year. I was joined in person at the ceremony by the High Commissioner for St Lucia and online by the Prime Minister of St Lucia, four other Caribbean HCs and the Minister of Sport for Zambia.
The next day the focus switched to Bulgaria, where I had the pleasure of meeting the London Bulgarian Association as they celebrated the first anniversary of their rose bed on display in Queen's Gardens in Bromley Town Centre. These beautiful roses were planted by members of Bromley's Bulgarian community as a gift to the borough, with the rose being chosen as it is the national flower of both Bulgaria and England.
Continuing the international theme, as Mayor I represented Bromley at Mansion House for a discussion on how to achieve one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of HIV/AIDS from London by 2030.
In October, I also welcomed and gave a speech to a visiting delegation from Nigeria, including more than 15 Mayors from Lagos region in Nigeria. They were visiting the UK and Bromley to discuss local Government.
Celebrating history
Tradition and history were very much to the fore when we joined other Mayors across London in a wonderful procession and festival evensong to celebrate the Dedication Festival of Westminster Abbey.
Locally, I was also pleased to attend the Pineapple Club in Anerley recently for Black History Month. This enjoyable event saw attendees treated to wonderful Caribbean food, music, poetry recitals and more.
Awards in Bromley
So many young people across Bromley are truly inspirational, which I saw firsthand when I presented awards at not one but three different ceremonies. These were the Jack Petchey Foundation Awards, the Young Travel Explorers Awards for Road Safety, and the recent Care Leavers Awards.
The Adult Care Awards evening was also held in October. It is a fantastic opportunity to highlight those who do so much to help and support fellow residents across Bromley.
Local businesses were recently celebrated at the Above and Beyond Bromley Business Awards organised by Life In Magazine. Congratulations to all those involved on their achievements, which set many inspiring examples for future entrepreneurs locally.
There have been a range of sporting events, openings and award ceremonies recently, which I know many of you will have seen through the Mayoral social media posts on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
I keep saying it, but it is truly humbling to see up close what is going on in our amazing borough.
Mayoral themes
My mayoral themes have continued at pace. Sport and wellbeing were very much to the fore at the Bromley Primary School Cross Country event held at Crystal Palace. Starting the race with a large stop/go sign, and then watching as more than 500 children in each group run straight towards your is some experience, rather like facing the charge of the light brigade!
Looking after and valuing our precious environment is very important to me. One strand of this is our anti-litter drive and encouraging everyone to pick up litter and bin it or take it home for recycling. The Deputy Mayor and I have joined fellow Councillors and residents at 6 locations for litter picks so far. For instance, in Orpington we joined with the Volunteer Police Cadets to clean up litter. We hope to cover all wards during the Mayoral year. Each day I undertake a personal litter pick on my walk with our dog and on my training runs. Expect to hear more about this, but do not wait and get picking!
Other environment outreach included tree planting at the new Forest School in Hayes and attending the London Metropolitan Gardens AGM and hearing about the lost gardens of London and how Bromley is one of the Associations Elm Planting Hubs.
My Health and Wellbeing theme has continued and includes promoting the immunisation campaign for the winter influenza and Covid jabs.
Supporting the Mayor’s charities
It has been great to see the support for my charities at the events we have organised. The last match for the Mayors Golf team was played at the Mytime Active golf course at Cray Valley, where a most generous cheque for £500 was presented. This year has been a great season for both the Golf team, who won 5 out of the 8 matches, and for the Bowls team. Thank you to all who contributed in so many different ways to these teams. In January we will be looking to establish a Mayor's Racquetball team, so look out for more information soon.
Best wishes,
David Jefferys
Mayor of Bromley 2024 to 2025