Sunday Reflection

Today is Sunday and as I reflect on the last week I cannot help but feel that it was quite a significant week in my year of office.

Offering the Freedom of the City is not an everyday occurrence here in the City of Wolverhampton. But that is what is to happen now following the meeting of the Standards Board. The meeting supported unanimously my resolution to offer the Prinses Irene Brigade the Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton.

A special City Council meeting will now take the final step and vote on the resolution, it is an important resolution and if it is carried the Brigade who's members are all Dutch will be honoured for their part in the Second World War and their commitment to Wolverhampton, where they have marched and remembered their dead, who are buried in Jeffcock Road cemetery here in Wolverhampton since the War ended.

I am personally very pleased with the fact that though I will not be in office to see the final 'handing over' ceremony take place. I will have instigated and seen through all the varied protocols.

I am sure that Wulfrunians will be very pleased that the City has taken these steps, during the War the Dutch troops were stationed at Wrottesley Park. The Dutch Crown Jewels were also it is reported were housed in the safe in the Town Hall!

There is significant attestation to the impact that the Dutch had on Wolverhampton with commemoration stones for instance that are displayed at New Cross Hospital.

The St Patrick's Day celebration was also a first for the City, and I am so pleased that both Mary and I were able to meet so many of our community that are Irish or of Irish descent. The Irish have done much to shape Wolverhampton over the years, making it the city it is today.

During the week of the Commonwealth Games , we did our own little medal ceremony when Mary and I awarded medals at Central Baths yesterday for the Staffordshire ASA. We both enjoyed that duty! (there are some photographs of the event on http://www.staffsasa.co.uk/ )