Gradually we return to normal. August sees cricket on the Severals. A less-than-serious match between the Mayor’s XI and an Invitation XI on the Severals – 20 overs a side. It is hoped that Newmarket Cricket Club will be reconstituted and will start playing regular fixtures next season. I look forward to the sight of the players in their whites and the sound of willow on leather.
In August we are also opening the Memorial Gardens for children to play in. Unfortunately we will not be providing the very popular Thursday afternoon entertainments this summer, though we intend to reintroduce them next summer. Sadly, at the moment, the water feature will not be available.
The Town Council has continued to meet via Zoom and we now have monthly meetings of all the committees in addition to the full Town Council meeting, which is held on the 4th Monday of each month.
We now have a new committee, which looks at how we can implement the Community Actions listed in the Neighbourhood Plan. It is hoped that members of the public will volunteer to join working groups to make recommendations to the Town Council. In the first instance we intend to concentrate on four areas:
1. The Public Realm – to consider which locations in the town could benefit from the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers;
2. A parking strategy (a working group has already been established);
3. Cycling and public transport;
4. Yellow Brick Road
We will also be looking to the future and what else should be included in the Newmarket Neighbourhood Plan. Again we will consider ideas and suggestions from all the residents of Newmarket. The Plan can be found online at the Newmarket Town Council website https://www.newmarket.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan/
Michael Jefferys
Newmarket Mayor
August 2020