I am both honoured and delighted to have been re-elected as your Town Mayor for a second term. This role has provided me with an opportunity to continue celebrating the incredible work of volunteers across our town. Many of the events we cherish wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of these volunteers behind the scenes. Volunteers including my fellow councillors and the staff at the Town Hall also work year-round to maintain the beauty of our town, so that it remains a special place to live, visit and work.
Since the beginning of this Mayoral Year, the Council has hosted several important community and civic events, including the annual Charter Fair, Charter Lunch, and Civic Service. This year, we had the pleasure of holding the Civic Service jointly with the Arts Festival, a collaboration that proved so successful we plan to repeat it in 2025. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Band of the Royal British Legion, Leiston, who provided the musical accompaniment for the Civic Parade, making the event truly memorable. We are privileged to be one of the few towns they still march for, and it remains a highlight for both residents and visitors alike. Additionally, I’d like to acknowledge the musicians and singers who joined the Service at St Edmunds Church who helped create a really special atmosphere.
This summer, we’ve enjoyed a series of wonderful events including the Street Festival, Southwold Harbour Festival, Arts Festival, Music on the Green, RNLI Lifeboat Day, and the Anniversary of D-Day. Each of these events, which bring so much joy and pride to our community, was made possible by volunteers. Looking ahead, we have the much-anticipated Christmas Lights switch-on, organised by the Light Up Southwold team. I know it will be another magical evening.
The Town Council continues to work on projects and get involved in matters which are important to our community. The Station Yard Hub is now complete, opening its doors to its first clients in July. The new skatepark was officially opened in August, whilst the Tourist Information Centre should be ready to open very soon, following the purchase of the building by the Town Council earlier in the year. The new ‘Visit Southwold’ website is up and running – offering a one stop shop for information to help both visitors and residents. Council Members actively keep up to date with information from Lionlink and the other National Energy Projects which are likely to affect our area, and as a Council we ensure that we attend briefing meetings and respond to each consultation, to ensure that these companies understand the views and concerns of those who live here.
Finally, I’d like to welcome our newest Town Councillor, Carl Hurr, who was recently co-opted following the resignation of Cllr Jonathan Sutton. Carl is well known for his work with the Community Skatepark Group, and it’s fantastic to see the skatepark project come to fruition, providing a space for all ages to enjoy.
Thank you to all for your continued support, and I look forward to us all working together for the betterment of Southwold.
Cllr Simon Flunder – Town Mayor (2024/2025)
