THIS year’s annual town meeting hosted by Petersfield Town Council saw awards, grants and presentations entertain and interest councillors, council staff and a 50 plus strong audience.
Held in the Festival Hall, the 42nd annual town meeting opened with a review of the council’s year from the mayor, Councillor James Deane.
He added: “My personal thanks must also go to council officers and staff, each one of them work with cheerful willingness and are often be called upon to go that little bit further.
“The support I have received from my councillor colleagues has been exemplary. mayors simply cannot deliver alone – it has been very much a team effort.”
A brief report was given by the chairmen of the various council committees on the work that they had carried out during the year.
Presentations followed from Vaughan Clark and Jeremy Mitchell then gave presentations on the future plans for Petersfield Museum, and Tony Struthers gave an update on a tree survey of the Petersfield area.
Cllr Dean then presented the awards, starting with The Daniel Day Lewis Award for best actor/musician under the age of 18, which has been in existence for the past five years and this year there were 7 worthy nominations.
Of the seven nominations, George Renshaw was presented with award for his performance in Miss Saigon at Churchers College.
Cheques were then handed out to the Mayors chosen charities, Petersfield Dementia Friendly and Petersfield Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal. This was followed by the awarding of grants to Headway Portsmouth and SE Hampshire, Petersfield Youth Theatre, Hospice Services at Home TLC Ltd and Petersfield Musical Festival.
The Mayors Award for services to Petersfield, recognised the work of Tony Struthers (Petersfield Society and Lions Club), Robin Hart (Friends of Petersfield Heath), Iris Holt (on and off stage at Festival Hall), June Brooks (Friends of Petersfield Hospital), and Churchers College (assisting with civic events)
Cllr Deane then made a surprise presentation to Vaughan Clark for all his hard work in the community as a councillor, and volunteer at the Petersfield Museum. Vaughan also received a gift for his wife Jill, who was unable to attend.