Mayor's voice

First of all, I’m thrilled to be putting together a monthly column in Life In Orpington. I’ve always been a big believer in community and supporting one another, so it’s great to see this celebrated and to be part of that. As you will have read in last month’s issue, I’m the newly elected Mayor of Bromley and, as part of this monthly update, I’ll be detailing what I’ve been doing in the borough as a whole. Because of lockdown, getting out to meet people was a little challenging to say the least, but we pulled it off. I was keen to get out and meet all those who were going about their business while the rest of us were isolating – just to say thank you to them. In our day-today lives, we rarely acknowledge the jobs that others do to provide us with a service, so I wanted to make it my mission to be ‘on the ground’ and saying thank you to those who helped support us – from funeral directors, pharmacies and surgeries, to care homes, parcel/ food delivery drivers, the police and schools. I’ve been meeting independent businesses as well as companies like Ward Security, one of the council’s contractors who, along with the police, have been helping keep the borough safe. They even gave me a demo of how they’ve been continuing to tackle things like knives, drugs and gangs. Other appointments have included the 100th birthday for The Association For The Blind, an annual flag raising ceremony to mark the week running up to Armed Forces Day and a visit to the refuse and recycling centre at Waldo Road. It’s always important to say thank you. And when it wasn’t safe to do so, I have been utilising technology to send video messages of thanks and support including Princess Royal University Hospital and Orpington Hospital. And that’s the great thing about technology; it has meant that we’ve been able to keep in touch with our Councillor Kim Botting (left) was on hand to take delivery of 2,000 face masks for staff and vulnerable people in the borough from Gigi Chen of Orpington Education. Gigi and her team have already kindly donated over £25,000 and numerous items of PPE to hospitals in Bromley. Thank you Gigi for supporting our community! friends and loved ones throughout lockdown. And utilising technology, including social media and video chats, has meant that I’ve been able to modernise the mayoralty, demonstrating that I’m here to support the borough and to help make it easier to stay connected with me.

Talking of getting in touch – please do send in your requests. By the time you read this, most businesses will have reopened under new social distancing rules, so I expect to be even busier out and about, with a lead visit time of around two to three weeks. You can email mayors.office@bromley.gov.uk On the website there are options to be able to request a phone call from me – important for those who are lonely or are continuing to self-isolate; or I’m taking part in Zoom calls with schools and organisations. There is also a form to join the mailing list so that you can read about events I’m either involved in or attending. Just visit www.bromley.gov.uk/MayorStayInTouchForm

Until next month, take care, Cllr Hannah Gray

GIVING IS RECEIVING

Mayor of Bromley