Town and parish councils offer continuity and attachment to place during this current period of Local Government Reorganisation. They will continue to speak for their communities. My objective as Town Mayor is to represent the widest possible range of voices in building the future of our remarkable town.
As Town Mayor, I aim to follow the success of my predecessors, Councillors Tony Clayton, Libby Ancrum and Claire Shea, who worked with the Sevenoaks community to make important investments in safer streets, better facilities for young people and safeguarding green spaces. The Town Council’s Masterplans for Sevenoaks and St Johns underpin the ambition for the town’s future. These Masterplans have recently been adopted following extensive consultation. Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback.
Among major works taking place in Sevenoaks, completing the Greatness Pavilion, improvements to the pitches at Sevenoaks Rugby Club and upgrading of the Vine and its cricket outfield all happily demonstrate effective co-operation between the Town Council and its partners. There is much to do and we are always listening.
We have recently consulted the local community on plans for a new playground and outdoor gym at Greatness Recreation Ground. We have heard residents’ feedback on nine possible designs for each and we are now collating those views to help us decide which option to go with. We can’t wait to deliver these excellent new facilities at Greatness for the community to enjoy.
Over the coming months, we have a packed calendar of events, which you can read about in this issue of the Town Crier. We’re celebrating 15 years of our free Music on the Bandstand concerts, so we hope you’ll come along with family and friends to enjoy live music on the Vine. We also have lots of free events for young people to enjoy, including skateboarding and family theatre shows.
Mayor’s Charity
I have nominated Hospice in the Weald as my mayoral charity for the 2026/27 Civic Year. It is the local hospice for the Sevenoaks community, providing care for those living with a terminal or life-limiting illness, and their loved ones.
As well as providing in-care for patients at the end of their life, the hospice also gives vital support for people at the start of their journey through counselling, physiotherapy, and opportunities to make art or music, and live well at home for as long as possible. Right now, Hospice in the Weald is undergoing an essential refurbishment, but it continues to be there for everyone who needs it.
Councillor Nick Varley has been a champion fundraiser for Hospice in the Weald over the last year, and together we intend to raise more funds and promote the aims of the hospice. As Nick says, hospice care is not just about dying – it’s about living well – and that will be the focus of my year supporting Hospice in the Weald.
Here in Sevenoaks, the hospice is holding its annual Moonlight Walk on 27 June, and later this summer is hosting an event in nearby Chevening, which
