Kentish Express Ashford & District
Mayor to council: ‘please, please me’
The Mayor of Ashford has appealed for help, but not just from anybody to make a success of her Beatles-themed charity bash.
Cllr Geraldine Dyer singled out members of Ashford Borough Council for failing to show up to her previous council events to support her chosen charities.
She addressed the errant representatives while chairing last week’s full council meeting discussing agenda items such as the budget and council tax.
She said: “As you know, the mayor raises funds for charity with the support of as many of the council as can be mustered.
“Up to now that has not been great. To my mind, it has been disappointing.
“We had a Burns Night a few weeks ago which was a really good event that raised lots of money – but there weren’t very many councillors there.
“My last fling coming up will be on Saturday, May 7 with a Beatles tribute evening.
“For a lot of us in the council this is our era. It would be really good if you could support that.”
Cllr Dyer chose to support the Pilgrim’s Hospice and Find a Voice as her adopted charities for her term as mayor, and has raised thousands of pounds for both causes.
Her message was greeted with a hint of sheepish embarrassment and the occasional giggle from her fellow councillors.
She singled out Cllr Graham Galpin in particular when she added: “Even for your Cllr Galpin, you look like you would like to go and see The Beatles, and have a good time.”
Council cabinet member Mr Galpin said he is indeed a Beatles fan and says Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is his favourite album by the Fab Four, adding: “I’m sure it would please, please me to go along to it. I am a Beatles fan and a Rolling Stones fan, it’s all great stuff.”
So perhaps Cllr Dyer will appreciate Cllr Galpin being around after all.
To find out more visit www. ashford.gov.uk/the-mayor-civicand-ceremonial.