Money is raised each year in Wivenhoe through the the Mayor’s Charity Fund and distributed to good causes in Wivenhoe. Over the years, many thousands of pounds have been raised from various events and many organisations have benefited as a result. This fund-raising activity is supported by all the Town Councillors, and also by many Wivenhoe businesses which generously give raffle and tombola prizes. A great team of helpers get involved with the planning and organising on the day. Hopefully all those many people who support the events have a thoroughly good time!
Cllr Richard Davies at the end of his year as Mayor in 2001 distributed a total of �5,000
Cllr Steve Ford in his Mayoral Year raised �3,500 from the Mayor’s Ball, a trip to France (with the considerable help of Cedric’s Coaches), A ‘Space Oddity’ dance, various charity darts matches in the local pubs, a concert organised by the Sailing Club, an Art Exhibition organised by Cllr Gilli Primrose, an exhibition of Wivenhoe Photographs and Memorabilia, a Tea Dance and a ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’.
11 organisations benefited, including the Wivenhoe & District Sporting Facilities Trust, the Ferry, the ‘Munty’ bus, Youth Theatre, Wivenhoe Players, Stuart Pawsey Support Group, Britannia Court Residents and Day Care Centre, Scouts and Guides, Over 60’s and Wivenhoe St John.
In 2002/03, Cllr David Craze, Town Mayor during this year, raised �3,360 through different events. David chose to support youth organisations in Wivenhoe – 18 in all – and handed out cheques to representatives of those organisations at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2003. Click here for picture and news report.
Cllr Gilli Primrose, in her mayoral year in 2003/04 raised �4,040. She handed out cheques to nine Wivenhoe organisations at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2004.
Click here for a list of the organisations and pictures.
�6,815 was raised during Cllr Peter Hill’s mayoral year 2004/05. Of this �1,165 was raised from a New Year’s Eve party where the proceeds plus donations were donated to the Asia Pacific Tsunami Appeal. The balance of �5,650 was shared by 21 organisations with cheques handed out at the Annual Town meeting. Beneficiaries included youth and arts organisations, Wivenhoe’s churches, a �500 grant for the newly launched Wivenhoe War Memorial Fund (click here), grants for the proposed skateboard play area, one for the Munty bus and major grants for the Engine Shed Project and a new car park at Broad Lane Sports Ground. For more details of awards, click here
Left: Cllr Tom Roberts, Town Mayor 2005/06
Many successful events were organised during Cllr Tom Roberts’ year (2005/06) with a record �7,600 raised. Tom and his partner Dilly Meyer wanted to support Colchester Alheizmer’s Society, SCOPE and the Mary Barron Suite at Essex County Hospital for special reasons, as well as supporting many Wivenhoe organisations. They also organised the first of what they hope will be many annual Town and Gown dinners to pay a bursary to two international students at the University – click here. To see a full list of grants, click here.
Many enjoyable events were organised by Cllr Penny Kraft and the Mayor’s Charity Fund Committee during her 2006/07 year as Town Mayor. The total amount raised was the magnificent sum of �6,831.
Cheques were handed out to representatives of mainly local organisations by Penny at the Annual Town Meeting – click here. Amongst those to benefit were Wivenhoe’s local schools, playgroups, and the new Fund being set up to improve Wivenhoe’s Christmas Lights.
Cllr. Dave Purdey raised �3,800 at a variety of successful events ranging from the Teddy Bears� Picnic, the annual cricket match, a �1940s� day, Wivenhoe Memories, the Mayor�s Ball and Summer Ball and finally day trips to France and Belgium, courtesy of Cedrics� coaches � all repeat successes of traditions begun in previous years.
Cllr. Purdey has also continued to support the student bursary, which is awarded to a resident of Wivenhoe studying at the University.
Dave presenting a cheque to the Over 60’s Club Chairman, Doug Stockwell
Cllr Frances Richards raised the excellent sum of �5,264 which was distributed at the annual Town Meeting to a variety of local organisations including: the Town and Gown Bursary, the Colne Community School, the Scout and Guide Assocation, the town Regatta, the Wivenhoe Sporting trust and many others.
Cllr. Brian Sinclair raised an �3,924 during his Mayoral Term at a variety of successful events ranging from the Teddy Bears� Picnic, a �1940s� dance, Wivenhoe Memories, the Mayor�s Ball and a day trip to France and Belgium, courtesy of Cedrics� coaches, a Strawberry and Wine Garden Party in the Mayor�s garden and two events aimed at involving residents and students from the University
Cllr. Robert Needham raised an impressive �6,800 during his term as Town Mayor at a variety of successful events ranging from the Teddy Bears� Picnic, Wivenhoe Memories, a Summer Ball, the Mayor�s Ball, a day trip to France and Belgium, Beating the Bounds and a new innovation – a Mayoral Variety Show which saw the Mayor improvising as compere and delighting the audience with his Jake the Peg act ! also Cllr. Needham staged a sell-out rock concert which was enjoyed by many.
Cllr. Penny Kraft during her 2nd term as Mayor, raised �4,500 at a variety of successful events ranging from a superb Diamond Jubilee Ball, Wivenhoe Memories, the Mayor�s Ball, a day trip Birmingham Christmas Market, a curry night and the Mayoral Variety Show. Cllr. Kraft also organised the hugely successful Fun Dog Show for the Jubilee weekend.
Cllr. Kraft presenting cheques to the Colne Bank School of Dancing
Cllr. Andrea Vaughan raised an amount of �6730 during her term of office this time at new ideas such as WivKids, WivWords and WivMusic in addition to the traditional events such as the Mayor�s Ball.