Fairford Town Council Newsletter - August 2008

MAYOR’S INTRODUCTION

Her Majesty the Queen’s attendance at this year’s Air Tattoo has certainly been the highlight of my 15 months as Fairford Town Mayor. My wife and I were privileged to have been invited to the Queen's Colour Ceremony on 11th July where we represented the town at the 90th Anniversary Parade for the Royal Air Force. Additionally, the organisers of the Air Tattoo, the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, were given 24 tickets to the event by the RAF. They decided to give 6 tickets each to four schools in the area so they could send five pupils and a teacher to watch the historic event. The schools represented were: Kempsford Primary, Fairford Primary, Farmor’s and Coln House.

The cancellation of the Air Tattoo, due to the atrocious conditions in the car parks after the heavy rain, was a huge disappointment to many people who had travelled from far and wide to witness this normally spectacular event.

Following the 10 month initial setting up process, the 30 or so members of the Fairford Emergency Action Group have now had two meetings and one very productive training session involving officers from the District and County Councils. The Environment Agency was invited to clear a channel in the river which resulted in an immediate drop in water level; additional funding has been secured to enable us to carry on further clearances downstream. EA officers have highlighted additional areas for improvement on a self help basis. Your skills are required and I will be asking for more volunteers to help out soon!

There was no valid application, within the required timescale, for an election to be held to replace Cllr Freda Lang in Horcott ward. CDC has therefore authorised the Town Council to co-opt a new councillor. Further details are to be found inside this newsletter.

Cllr John Morgan (01285 711321) Fairford Town Mayor