From the art of pumpkins to the art of happiness

People often ask me "what do you do as Mayor?". Obviously I refer them to this blog but I also say the range is huge. But all of it is just uplifting. Yesterday for example, along with Julie and Warrant Officer Peter Bonhomme (from the Buckingham Air Cadets - see below) we had to judge the best carved pumpkin. There were not many entries... in fact there were only two. One by a young girl called Rose and the other by her young brother, Kit. We ended up giving them both first prize.

Here they are with their proud parents Nina and Richard with the carved pumpkins behind them. One was SpiderMan on the Farm which we liked because it was outside the pumpkin box. While the other faithfully (to the spirit of Halloween) showed a glittery bat which we judged to represent peace and justice for all.

Two thirds of the judging team!

So please make a note for next year in your diaries - have your pumpkins ready for 3/11/18!

And next to the pumpkin competition were a couple of singers Claire Gurney & Alfie Glass from Leckhampstead & Towcester respectively. They are raising money to start a t-shirt business. Great music and I thanked them for coming to Buckingham We all love singers and performers in Buskingham!

And then I popped over to the Old Gaol to take in the Craft Fair that was there yesterday. A fabulous rich mix of different items for sale. Evidently Town Council planning officer Mrs Katharine McElligott can crochet for England! And she was asking for donations to the Mayor's Charities in return for the items on her table. (Thanks Katharine!)

And by now you might be wondering where the happiness comes into this blog... The day began for me at the Aylesbury Vale Association of Local Councils (AVALC) AGM at the Radcliffe Centre. Which, like most AGMs, was some good humoured tedium. But what followed was anything but as we all trooped over to the residence of the Vice Chancellor, Sir Anthony Seldon for hot beverages and biscuits. Anthony then gave us a talk about happiness and well-being. He explained his mnemonic: GREAT DREAM as the recipe for happiness in life.

And as I sat there, listening to Anthony talk about this, it suddenly struck me that this is what Town/Parish Councils are really all about: creating the conditions & events that help people to become more happy. It is certainly what I am trying to do as your Mayor.