
3 minute read
5 Minutes With
Neill Tully
Neill is the Mayoral Attendant and Mace-bearer for the Bromley borough. He’s a former police officer, having received a Queen's Police Medal (QPM), and is also a toastmaster and MC.
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Q: Neill – it seems you lead a very busy life – what keeps you on your toes and where do you get the energy?
That was my parents. They both lived very long lives and stayed active, healthy and busy right to their very end. It is just a way of life for me. As for 'on my toes'...Have you met my wife?
Q: As the Mayoral Attendant and Macebearer, can you outline what your responsibilities are?
I am responsible for the Mayor's safety and wellbeing at all of her engagements. I drive the Mayoral car and make sure the Mayor arrives at the destination with as much precision timing as possible. I ensure that all the protocols are observed and adhered to and that all the proper etiquette is in place. As for the mace, it is my honour to be Bromley’s mace-bearer. It is carried and processed in all big ceremonial occasions.
Q: How did you come to be the Mayoral Attendant?
I am a former police officer of 30 years. Six months before I retired (at 55... too young to do nothing), I started looking to see what sort of jobs were out there. The attendant’s job was advertised on the LBB website and it sounded perfect. To my delight, I was not only interviewed, but offered the job!
Q: So what does a typical day look like?
No such thing as a typical day. The engagements are extremely varied. But I do get to go to some great places on and off the borough, even overseas.
Q: What have been some of your most memorable moments working alongside The Mayor and Deputy Mayor?
There are many. Visiting all the Jubilee parties last year was fun and carrying the Bromley mace into Westminster Abbey each year is an honour. But I suppose, travelling to Shanghai, China, accompanying school exchange visits will take some beating.
Q: Can we ask how you came to receive your QPM?
In the second half of my police career I was on the Youth Affairs Unit dealing with youth crime. I believe that young people are often given a bad press and, in 2001, I set up Bromley’s Volunteer Police Cadet unit. I began guiding young people on the right path, therefore engendering good citizenship. The unit grew from 14 to over 150 cadets and my work was recognised as I approached retirement in 2017. The QPM was for 'Services to youth engagement'. Having my wife, daughter and mum with me when my QPM was presented at Buckingham Palace by Prince William was one of my proudest moments. Mum (then 93) was a true Royalist and was more excited than I was.
Q: You’re also a toastmaster and MC – how did that come about and what sort of events do you cover?
Mayoral duties naturally lend themselves to being a Toastmaster and seemed to be a natural progression. Announcing at weddings, civic events, charity functions and general public speaking comes very natural to me. See toastmasterneill.co.uk
Q: You can be hired as a singer for Frank Sinatra songs – have you always wanted to do this?
I grew up listening to Sinatra, Bing, Nat King Cole, etc - in my opinion, the best genre! I got into singing by accident. In 2015, I played guitar in a band and we did an a OAP Christmas party. The lead singer didn't turn up so I had to step in. The band split up, but I've been going back there solo every year since. I do weddings and parties but I mainly do care homes, dementia cafes, hospices, etc, for which I never charge. See quitefranklysings.com
Q: Apart from all your other interests, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I run, I love hillwalking and I occasionally take my kayak on the sea to fish for a nice bit of Sea Bass.
Q: Who has been your inspiration?
Without a second thought, my wife Beverley. She has been the wind beneath my wings and my absolute soul mate. We've been together for 27 years.
Q: What do you most enjoy about living in the Bromley borough?
Bromley has been my home all my life. It’s such a green and open borough. I can also say, from an insider’s perspective, it has a fabulously well run council too.