The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Honoured guests, and Friends
In this year of the Queens 90th Birthday, we also remember 100 years after the 1st World War when 420 000 British and Commonwealth service men and women lost their lives and more than 60000 on the first day alone in July 1916!
I recently attended the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and on watching the bands from Nepal, Jordan, and various commonwealth countries I had reminders of the contributions for peace, democracy and individual freedom that we all take so for granted.
And reflect on the verse from the National Anthem
“Lord. Make the nations see, that men should brothers be, and form one family, the wide world over”
I would like to commend those that have make a huge contributions to a caring, fairer and better Redditch.
Starting with the Church, for its blessings, spiritual support and harmony. Then there is the voluntary sector.
In all these areas we have numerous self-effacing and humble people going about their daily business of a lot of good for others.
One notable person has been own Ida Parkinson, our first Macmillan Nurse who sadly passed away recently. Ida came over from Ireland and gave so much to our town as a Cancer Nurse and help to found the Primrose Hospice in our sister town Bromsgrove. As a Rotarian she continued to support those in need, wherever.
I would also commend our current town councillors and leaders who work tirelessly to make our town an even better place to live.
SO LET’S PAUSE AND REFLECT
Society has developed a mind-set that speed is a measure of success. In the 1930’s it was to do with the land speed record for cars, now it’s the fastest computer, fastest broadband and information etc.
This speed is increasing demands and we are becoming immune to appalling acts such as that of Lee Rigby, Jo Cox, the attacks in Paris and Nice, and that little boy washed up on a Turkish Beach….and the next day we move on!
We need to pause and reflect. Let’s all be thankful for our lot, be progressive, but also think what is good for the bigger picture.
So, Mr Mayor and honoured guests, what do I think about my town, Redditch?
It’s in the centre of the country
In the town there is easy access, rare traffic jams and around 10 traffic lights!
It has more parks, open spaces, walking and cycle paths then buildings or roads, and certainly more than most other towns….it is a planned town! All this is important for our Health and Wellbeing.
We have, Alders Marsh in Winyates Green, nominated last December as one of the top nature reserves in the country by BBC Country-file.
We have our wonderful Churches and our our heritage buildings in Ipsley and the Needle Museum.
And of course great Council amenities, including those in sports and leisure.
And now we have the Jinnah Mosque, a beautiful architectural building, and a place of worship for our Muslim Community.
We have significant Polish and Indian/ Keralan communities that contribute significantly to our workforce. And we are twinned with Mtwara in Tanzania with which the Redditch One World Link retains strong affinities.