The Mayor of Preston's November blog

Before I look back at my last month of engagements and as the festive season is upon us, I'd like to highlight our Carols in the Chamber event on Thursday 8 December.

Join me, my Consort Dan, Mayoress Pauline and the Intact Centre choir in the Council Chamber at Town Hall for a unique evening of carolling! We begin at 6.30pm with mince pies and drinks and the singing starts at 7pm.

Everyone is welcome! It's £10 a ticket with proceeds going towards the Intact Centre and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity - two wonderful local charities.

For tickets visit eventbrite - carols in the chamber tickets. 

We look forward to seeing and hearing you!

Preston Christmas Lights Switch on

In November, I've visited a few local schools to promote the Preston Christmas Lights Switch on - held on 19 November! We had 88 local schools taking part in the Mayor's Christmas Card Competition, the winners were invited on stage at the Switch On event!

The winning three designs were printed and are now available to buy at the Harris Library in the Guild Hall arcade, Preston North End Football Club shop and Guildhall Sales and Lettings on Blackpool Road. All the profits will go to support The Foxton Centre in Preston. A big thank you to all of the 2,000 children who entered the competition - and congratulations to Zaynab, Jack and Emilia for their outstanding winning designs!

Prince's trust cohort meet

It was great to meet another cohort from Prince's Trust again last month and show them around the Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour. It always fills me with pride hearing young people interested in our city's history. Towards the end of the month, I once again saw the amazing young people of Prince's Trust Team 79 of Preston Central as they finished their course. They each gave an inspiring talk of their experience and I look forward to seeing where they will be in the years to come. They have so much potential!

Diwali celebrations

Last month, we celebrated Diwali with the local community in a wonderful and colourful occasion fitting for the festival of light. Thanks to everyone for making us so welcome at your Diwali celebrations!

Remembrance Sunday

On the weekend before Remembrance Sunday, I officially opened the Remembrance Garden to start the week of Remembrance. There were more events throughout the week in Preston, including at the Cenotaph on Friday 11th.

Ceremony of Remembrance

On Friday, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we gathered at the Cenotaph on Preston Flag Market for a brief ceremony of Remembrance. We paused to remember those who lost their lives to war, and in particular those who gave their lives in service of their country. On Sunday 13 November, we remembered them again at a service leading up to 11am on the Flag Market. It was a very moving Service of Remembrance. It was great to see the support from the public, along with an amazing turnout from the uniformed services.

We remember those who serve and have served.

And we pledge: "Never Again".

Wishing Elsie a happy 100th birthday

Earlier that week, we had the pleasure of wishing Elsie a happy 100th birthday at Finney House, Fulwood - and great to meet their amazing team of carers too, doing a wonderful job. When asked what her secret to a long and happy life was, Elsie told us: "You should always have someone next to you to hold your hand and support you." What a lovely message to all of us. Happy Birthday Elsie!

Friends of Avenham Park and some of the Park's Groundkeepers Team

Later in the month, I met with the Friends of Avenham Park and some of the Park's Groundkeepers Team. It was great to talk to them about the history and regalia of Preston Town Hall - and to thank them on behalf of the city for their hard work.

Penwortham Girls' High School presenting awards

I spent a wonderful evening at Penwortham Girls' High School presenting awards and giving the evening's speech to last year's Year 11. A lot of incredible and inspiring young people. Congratulations to all of them on their results and awards.

Suicide prevention awareness event

On November 12, I visited the suicide prevention awareness event next to the Maker's Market on the Flag Market. They're doing incredible work to support people throughout Preston. If you feel like you ever need someone to talk to - they are here for you at strive to thrive.

Preston Climate Emergency Centre visit

I visited the Preston Climate Emergency Centre to join the young people's training day helping them to make a difference. They interviewed me as Mayor of Preston and I hope I was able to inspire them to stay active and fight for the changes we need.

Preston Scout Group's cubs and beavers

On 14 November, I visited 7th Preston Scout Group's cubs and beavers to tell them about some of the work I do as Mayor. They were a pleasure to talk to, polite listeners with intelligent questions. Our future will one day be in their hands!

New Student Council at Christ the King Catholic High School

It was such a pleasure to meet the new Student Council at Christ the King Catholic High School last month. With their ideas, their passion, and their drive, these young people will change our city when they grow up!

Parliament Week

I started Parliament Week (14-20 November) by talking to Rainbow Guides in Lea about being the Mayor and presented them with some badges. They were all so friendly and inquisitive! Thank you for making me so welcome on my visit! Later in the week, we had visits from the Beavers and Cubs from Central Ribbleton Scout Group visit me at Preston Town Hall where I showed them around the Council Chamber and told them all about the history of the city's regalia in the Mayor's Parlour. It was particularly special for me to be able to invest new members into the Scout Group in the Council Chamber itself - and I hope that the young people enjoyed the day as much as I did!

What an amazing event the Preston Christmas Lights Switch On was this year! Thanks to everyone at Preston BID and the rest of the team for a great time and Guildhall Sales and Lettings for their sponsorship of the Mayor's Christmas Card Competition.

Let's Grow Preston

I spent a wonderful day at Let's Grow Preston - well done to everyone for all of their hard work making it happen. It was also an honour to plant the "tree of trees" with Gulab Singh MBE as part of the Queen's Green Canopy and something which will last as a poignant memory of Queen Elizabeth's 70 years of service.

Preston Guild Lodge donation

A big thank you to Preston Guild Lodge at Preston Masonic Hall for their generous donation of food to one of the Mayoral charities, Intact Centre - helping people and families struggling in these difficult times.

It's all beginning to get a bit Christmassy

It's all beginning to get a bit Christmassy! After the weekend's big event switching on the city's Christmas Lights, we stopped by Li'l Champs Nursery to watch their Christmas performance. What a great show they put on for us and their parents! I did the same a few days later at Rainbows Nursery. Thank you all for inviting us!

Lancashire Day

Did you know that 27 November is Lancashire Day? It commemorates the date in 1295 when Lancashire sent its first ever representatives to the Parliament, the Model Parliament of King Edward I. On this day, we use it as an opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about our county and tell the world what makes Preston and Lancashire special! I attended a couple of events around the end of the month to promote our city and county.

Ukranian fundraising event

Before I sign off for this time, I'd like to highlight a special fundraising event arranged by our local Ukrainian friends on 9 December at Crossgate Church, St Mary's Street North (PR1 5LG). It opens at 6pm, with a concert starting at 7pm.

You can see ethnic Ukrainian dances, hear folk songs performed by a choir and orchestra, enjoy the sound of the folk instrument Bandura, and hear talented voices with touching Ukrainian songs.

Before the concert, guests will be able to see an exhibition of photographs of the war, and be able to buy Ukrainian souvenirs and crafts, and try pastries and drinks.

Entry by donation: Cash or PayPal allunitedforukraine@gmail.com.

St Catherine's Santa Dash

If you are attending the St Catherine's Santa Dash at the Docks on 4 December at Preston Docks, be sure to give me a wave! I will be running alongside my Consort Dan and the Mayor of South Ribble. Any sponsorship raised will help fund St Catherine's Hospices' specialist care and support at the hospice and in people's own homes in the Preston, Chorley and South Ribble areas this Christmas.

And finally, both Dan and I would like to send you the very best of Christmas wishes and hope every one of you have a safe and peaceful festive season.

To find out about my other visits visit Facebook - Preston Mayor and you can also follow me on Twitter @Preston Mayor.

There will be more detail about my engagements in my next blog so hope to you'll join me again in 2023!

Neil