MAYOR FOR A YEAR

Shirley Harper-O’Neill has completed her year as The Worshipful The Mayor of Hillingdon.  “It has been an unforgettable experience for me and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it”, she said. 

Hillingdon is a big and lively borough, so there’s always plenty going on to keep the Mayor busy.  In fact, during her term of office, Shirley attended some 800 functions, sometimes as many as four in a day.  These included formal visits to schools, opening fetes, attending church ceremonies (she attended our recent Covenant Anniversary service) and visits abroad. 

In addition to these duties the Mayor is also chairman of the Council which meets every month.  At these times the Mayor is the most powerful person in the borough, even outranking the Council’s leader.  The Mayor is the Queen’s representative and, symbolising this, on formal occasions she (or he) is accompanied by the mace, borne by the Mace-bearer.  At the commencement of an event the mace is brought in and all bow to it, recognising their allegiance to the Crown, to which each mayor has been sworn by oath. 

The part of the job Shirley liked best was visiting schools.  “I always encourage people to ask questions”, she said, “and children say such amazing things.  One little boy asked what were the perks of being Mayor and another wanted to know if people were surprised when I didn’t speak posh!”  And posh she is not, so she is ideal for a role that involves meeting and chatting to the widest range of people.  Noted for her smile (see picture) she instantly comes over as one’s friend. 

One of many highlights to her year was a trip to the Normandy beaches: having met some of the local members of the Normandy Veterans’ Association, Shirley persuaded the Council that the borough should become an Association member.  Another adventure was joining the mayors of the other 32 London Boroughs in the annual Dick Whittington Walk.  “There we were”, she said, “all dressed up in our robes, having what seemed miles to walk on the hottest day of the year!” 

Mayors traditionally raise money for charity during their stint and Shirley is pleased that £31,000 was raised on her watch, to assist the aged, children with difficulties in life and the hard of hearing. 

How does she feel now that her Mayoral year has come to an end?  “I feel I’m somehow playing truant”, she said.  “I’ve just got to slow down.  Fortunately, apart from my duties as a Councillor, I still have a role to support the new Mayor, Cllr David Yarrow, whom I wish well.  He’s lucky in that Hillingdon is a very good borough and really looks after its residents.”

AFN

 

 

MAKING ICKENHAM SAFER

The Ickenham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) was out and about during Festival week, meeting residents at many events, including those at the library and at Swakeleys on Gala Day.  The team consists of two police constables, three community police officers and one Sergeant (some pictured here) and they are always interested in hearing your concerns regarding crime in Ickenham. 

One current issue of concern to the team is the problem of ‘rogue traders’, particularly workmen who arrive unannounced at your door, warning you of potential problems with your property and offering to put things right.  All should be wary, but older members of the community especially can be targeted in this way.  The team has been working with Hillingdon Trading Standards and offers this advice on how to avoid being a victim. 

If someone calls unannounced:

• You should have a security chain fitted on your door; use it every time you open the door to a caller
• Always ask for identification
• Ring the caller’s employer - but look the number up in your phone book – don’t just use the number they give you

 

• Do not feel pressured into having work carried out by the caller
• In particular, don’t agree to any work being done there and then – take time to make those ID checks
• Why not check with a friend or neighbour to see if they think the work really needs to be done?
• And ask friends and neighbours to recommend tradesmen they have found to be trustworthy and efficient
• You should really get at least three quotes before having any work carried out

Once you commission work to be done:

• Never keep large sums of money in the house and keep bags and purses out of sight
• Do not pay any money for work unless you are happy it is of acceptable quality
• If you are uncertain what to look for, get a friend or relative to look at the completed work to confirm it has been carried out with reasonable care and skill
• Don’t accept transport from a tradesman to take you to your bank to withdraw money

If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of a rogue trader, or if you would like information on crime prevention generally, please contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team.  They are here to deal with your concerns so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  The team holds drop-in surgeries at Ickenham Library where you can speak with them face-to-face.  Or you can contact them at Ickenham.snt@met.police.uk, or by telephone on 020 8721 2543. 

You can also contact Hillingdon Trading Standards team on 01895 250164.