A busy April diary

Published: 24 April 2026

Recently, the Mayor’s diary has been very strongly musical. Invitations to see the talent in our community have come from:

• Sevenoaks Philharmonic Choir, who gave a powerful performance of Handel’s Elijah oratorio on 29th March
• The Lydian Orchestra with a brilliant selection of concerto pieces by some extraordinarily talented music students on 6th April
• Eynsford Concert Band’s annual charity concert, including stirring Proms pieces, on 19th April

And coming up this weekend are Kent Opera’s Orpheus at the Stag on Friday, Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees Saturday Concert of international music, plus Sunday’s Bosville big band concert for Guide Dogs.

The culture on offer in Sevenoaks is exceptional.

Other highlights of the month to date have been:

• Hosting 70 community volunteers for a thank you reception at Sevenoaks Town Council on 8th April. The value of volunteer work for a huge range of services, from food banks, youth work and help for the vulnerable, to sport and culture, runs into millions. Just because so much effort and skill is given for free, it doesn’t mean we don’t value it.

• Talking to residents and visitors in Sevenoaks Market early on Saturday 18th April about the need to keep management of Sevenoaks Market local. It’s been run here for most of the last 200 years, apart from a brief period when Sevenoaks District Council let it to national operators with disastrous results.

• Meeting Sevenoaks Outdoor Bowls Club for lunch on the same day to talk to them about the future of Hollybush Rec. Their first President Francis Swanzy paid half the purchase price of the rec so the bowlers have a very strong interest.

• Greeting councillors from Tunbridge Wells who are looking to set up a Town Council there when their current Borough is swallowed up in the new `West Kent Unitary Authority’; they are looking to Sevenoaks as a good example in an active community.

• Being interviewed by Seal CE Primary School students Bobby and Adelie for their school podcast. They asked some tough questions about what councillors do in our local community, and didn’t let me get away with any waffle. After the grilling came a trip round Seal School Farm, to see a range of pigs, hens, goats, lots of lambs and a good selection of rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals. Seal is a seriously green school, and is cultivating not only food, but also the future Victoria Derbyshire and Nick Robinson!

• This week, I hosted Mayors from across Kent on a trip to Knole House, by kind permission of the National Trust. The Trust conservator gave us an explanation off how the house developed, and the important conservation work to keep furniture, paintings and textile in good condition. The work going on in their studio isn’t just for Knole, but for houses across the South East, well worth going to see.

Just over two more weeks to go until I pass on the mayors chain of office to my successor. And still lots left to do!

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped me through the year.

Tony Clayton
Sevenoaks Town Mayor