Slowly the summer turns to autumn. We can all look back and feel that this has been perhaps the strangest of all years. None of us would have believed that we would all be wearing facemasks when we went out shopping. We all long to return to normal.
I laid a wreath at the VJ Day ceremony at the War Memorial on the 15th August. Although the event was attended by some relatives of those who had died in the Far East campaign during the Second World War, unfortunately because of the Coronavirus we had to restrict the number of people who wanted to attend. Nevertheless it was a very moving occasion, particularly when the bugler played the last post.
We still have to hold virtual council meetings. We are managing to carry on as many of the normal functions of the council as possible and now meet for the full cycle of committee meetings as well as the full Town Council meeting each month.
In September there will be an exception made for a special meeting of the Town Council. Although we will carefully maintain social distancing, because of the importance of the subject matter, we have decided to hold this one meeting in person. The meeting will look at the health and well-being of all the people who live and work in Newmarket. The focus will be particularly on mental health. Suffolk County Council has carried out a survey and the Town Council will be presented with their report. We will try to develop strategies to improve the health and well-being of all our residents. I believe it is important for both our physical and mental health that we should all be able to participate in physical activity. Even in lockdown, exercise was an important part of each day.
Newmarket Mayor: Cllr Michael Jefferys
September 2020