A Peach of a year for former mayor John

Over £34,000 raised by city councillor during years as town’s first citizen

A terrific £34,064.88 was raised by city councillor John Peach and his team of devoted helpers for the mayor’s charities during his year as Peterborough’s first citizen. Cllr Peach and mayoress Janet Martinwerefortunateto be invited numerous functions fromMay2015toMay2016, beginning with the traditional opening of the Lido and ending with the Mayor’s Ball.

The big beneficiaries of the long days were Age UK Peterborough, Hope into Action, the scout andguidemovementand Combined Cadet Force, who joined Cllr Peach and Janet at theMayor’sParlourintheTown Hall for a cheque presentation.

Cllr Peach said: “I was very honoured to be asked to be the mayor. I had been asked before but was busy so did not have time to commit to it.

“I hadaveryenjoyable, interesting and exciting year. Hopefully we’ve put on some good events to raise money for the charities.”

Chequepresentations, laying wreathsandthrowingapunchat councilleaderJohnHoldich(definitely staged) were just part of thefunbuttiringschedulewhich Cllr Peach committed to during his year as mayor.

“It’s been interesting because some of the events you attend are big things, like the remembrance service,” said Cllr Peach. “Or you’re going to a big event representing Peterborough somewhere else.

“But some of the nicest things have been local people doing charity things.

“There was one lady who did a garden party at her home in Parnwell and it was lovely. Thosesort of people have really workedhardtoraise moneyfor their particular charity.”

Cllr Peach gave a l ot of thanks to Helen Sergeant, fellow city councillor Bella Saltmarsh, and his mayoress, for their tireless efoorts throughout the year.

“The mayoress worked very hard, particularly with the charities, because she was very interested in AgeUK,” added Cllr Peach.

“She feels some of the older people are neglected.”