MAYOR’S MINUTES

A very fond farewell...

Last May I had the honour of being made The Mayor of Oswestry, and it would be fair to say that in the eyes of more than a few, there were some concerns over how I would approach the role.

I knew that this was going to be a rare and special opportunity to promote our town and its people. But I wanted to take the focus off the traditional role of Mayor, and in my own way, try to modernise it somewhat and use it as the platform I felt it should always have been. Not a role of looking inwards, but a platform to shout from about what makes our town the great place it is. My motto throughout has been that it isn’t a mayor’s duty to stand in the spotlight, but rather to hold it and shine it on those around them.

I have been fortunate to have met a lot of people over my year and I’ve tried my best to get out around town, visiting everyone I possibly could. Please know, that if we crossed paths, then you have my everlasting thanks. I’ve been made to feel so welcome everywhere I’ve been. For a drum teacher and youth worker, you have all made me truly feel like a Mayor.

Only now as this civic year ends, am I starting to reflect on what’s happened over the last year. It has been a historic year, and a Royal Civic year for me. I started my term just before Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. I was honoured to represent our town during the passing of our Monarch, and just recently I was at The Robert Jones Agnes Hunt Hospital. Invited as a guest to receive her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh as she declared the new Headley Court Veterans Centre open. My final duty is the official Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6 May.

There’s been a lot of support behind the scenes over this last year. My thanks to everyone at Oswestry Town Council. Our Town Clerk, Arren Roberts for his patience and guidance. To Sandra Trevor for keeping me organised and always being supportive and positive throughout. To Poppy King, our beautiful Mayoress for shouldering more of the weight of this role than anyone will ever know. And of course, The Mini-Mayor, my son Alfie! Whenever things have been tough, you’ve never failed to make me smile - I love you guys.

Oswestry. It’s truly been an honour. Thank you all.

Jay Moore,

Mayor of Oswestry 22-23