Mayor's column: Dunmow changes, the Civic Service and talent in the town

Councillor Patrick Lavelle, Great Dunmow Mayor
The local mayors including Great Dunmow mayor Patrick Lavelle, with recipients of the Town Awards, David Beedle and John and Helen Wright with Care for your Neighbours at Last Night of the Proms - Credit: Patrick Lavelle
Great Dunmow mayor Patrick Lavelle's column on what is happening in the town.
I am always impressed and astonished by the number of talented people we have living in and around Great Dunmow.
In the last month I have had the pleasure to attend the Rotary Youth Award prizegiving ceremony in the Rowena Davey Centre and meet some of the hugely talented young people from around the town.
We also enjoyed the Last Night of the Proms concert put together by Andy King in Foakes Hall with music from the Great Dunmow Town Band, the Dunmow Big Voice Choir, the Britannia Pipers and three supremely talented soloists.
Everyone should look out for the event when it comes around again next year.
Business changes
Dunmow is always evolving and it is sad that Sweetlands Butchers has closed their doors for the last time.
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We all thank Peter Sweetland for 48 years of beef and banter and wish Peter and the staff all the very best for the future.
Fortunately, Dunmow still supports an artisan butcher, Steeles Butchers run by Tim Strange, on the High Street.
Through all the changes Dunmow maintains excellent quality and service from our local businesses.
Doctor's Pond
As many of you know there was an algal bloom in the Doctor's Pond which has caused the pond to be closed to fishing and sectioned off while treatment takes place.
The council is working to implement a solution to prevent these blooms happening in the future.
Looking forward we have the Civic Service on Sunday, October 24 where we celebrate several important milestones.
We belatedly mark the transition between Mayors from Cllr Mike Coleman to myself.
We recognise our inspirational Town Award Winners: David Beedle for the Individual Award and John and Helen Wright and Care for your Neighbours for the Organisation Award.
Cllr Mike Coleman will present cheques totalling £8,000 to the recipients of the 2020/21 Mayor’s Charity collection – St Clare Hospice, Macmillan Nurses, Air Ambulance and Dunmow First Responders.
I hope that as many residents as possible come along for an enjoyable and informative afternoon.
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