THE new Mayor of Llantwit Major – Cllr Dr Peter Dickson – was elected earlier this month. In this article, he talks about his appointment:
On 9th May this year, I found myself formally voted in by the Town Council to the lofty position of Mayor, having spent 12 months trying to learn the ropes as Deputy, fortunately with the expert help of the outgoing mayor, Cllr David Powell. Likewise my wife, Sue, has been introduced to the complexities of her role as Consort, by Gill Powell, the retiring Consort.
Sue has gleaned a particularly useful piece of advice, that it helps to carry a large handbag in which to stow the mayoral chains for travelling! Seriously though, it is a great help to have a loyal companion at my side for the many occasions when we act as ambassadors for the town, both at home and at venues across the Vale. We are also very pleased that Cllr John Deacon has accepted the role of Deputy Mayor, assisted by his Consort and wife, Mary, and we look forward to working with both over the next 12 months.
Sue and I moved from the north of England to Llantwit 14 years ago to be near our son and his family in Porthcawl. We have both followed careers in medicine in Yorkshire, where we worked together in general practice for a number of years until I took up various posts with the Department of Health in England, helping to improve standards in health care.
In 2017 I was thrilled to be awarded an MBE for services to general practice and patient safety. Later that year, shortly after my retirement from the NHS, I was elected to the town council and have been involved with several projects, including the recent Placemaking exercise.
Away from my work as a councillor, I can sometimes be spotted in the belfry of St Illtud’s church, learning the ropes in a different way as an improving bellringer. Sue and I are both members of local choirs. I am chairperson of the St Donats Chorale here in Llantwit Major, and Sue also performs with the Fountain Singers (where I can occasionally be found as both supporter and ‘roadie’).
The Mayoral year has got off to a busy start with invitations to the Early Music Festival in Llantwit as well as Mayor Making ceremonies in Barry and Cowbridge, and a mayoral Civic Service in Llandough. From the look of my diary, it seems that this pattern is set to continue! I have chosen two charities for my year in office, aiming to support the local branch of the National Coastwatch Institution, an organisation of special importance to our Glamorgan coastline.
I am also keen to raise funds for the restoration of one of the town’s landmarks, our ancient Samson’s Well, on the old Wick Road. This interesting structure is thought to have been a Holy Well, perhaps linked to one of our mediaeval ‘celebrities’, St Samson.
Plans are already in progress for these fundraising events, and we are currently planning a weekend art exhibition and sale, ‘Art for the Coast’ to be held in the Llantonian Hall and featuring the work of local artists. We plan then to hold a local history evening in early October, starring (of course) Samson’s Well, but also offering a wider look at the ancient wells of Glamorgan. Next spring will hopefully see us donning our dancing shoes for another tradition, a lively Welsh Twmpath, again to support my chosen charities.
Our next town council event is the Llantwit Major Food Festival on the weekend of 8th-9th June. Last year’s festival was a great success and this year’s enterprise promises to be bigger and better. As previously, it will run alongside the highly popular These 3 Streams Arts Festival in the town and will be offering culinary delights from the many food and drinks stalls, including a licensed bar. It will be open on both days, 10am to 6pm and will be in the town hall car park. Admission is free and there will also be plenty of entertainment on offer, including a cookery demonstration, story-telling and live music.
So, as your new Mayor, I join with the members of the town council and its staff in looking forward to seeing you at the festival, and I hope very much you will be able to support myself and Sue in our fundraising events, as well as our roles in promoting the profile of our beautiful and historic town.
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