Mayor’s Remembrance Speech

Mayor’s Remembrance Speech

Please find below the speech that was delivered by the Mayor at the Council meeting om Tuesday 23rd March 2021

“At 12 noon today the Country remembered the 12 month anniversary of the first lockdown on 23rd March 2020 and the 126,284 people who have sadly died as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic that we now know as Covid 19.  There are many more who have suffered from grief because of the loss of their loved ones.  Our North East Region, our County and Towns and Villages have all suffered heavily because of this pandemic.

Today is a time of reflection for so many lives lost and also a time to thank all of the National Health Service, the Support Services, Care Home staff, Volunteers and Key Workers who have worked tirelessly to prevent many more deaths.  Thank you also to the brilliant scientists who have produced vaccines in record time with a total of

28 million people now recorded as receiving a first vaccine as of yesterday.

To all of these organisations and key workers we salute you and extend our thanks,  and to all of those who have lost loved ones, we send out to you a special message of condolence and remembrance of lives lost before their time.

There has been a lot of sacrifice and pain with the lockdowns but there is now a beam of light shining through from a very dark tunnel and a hope of better times ahead for all of us.”

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It is also my sad duty to reflect on the passing of Alderman Ben Ord, a kind and considerate gentleman, who devoted many years of service to our Town and local community.  He cared for his constituents and always wanted to do the very best for them and for our Town.  The many residents who have shared in remembering Ben are a testament to the respect he held.

Ben shared some of his early memories with me of his time with the Town Council when I first met him in the year 2001.    He has also previously served for 9 years in the Royal Navy and worked in Marketing Administration and Quality Control.  He was elected to the Spennymoor Ward of Sedgefield Borough Council on two occasions between 1991  – 1995 and between 1999 – 2009 when in 2009 Local Government Review determined that all District Councils would merge into a new Unitary Authority.  Ben was then elected to the Unitary Council of Durham County Council in 2008 and held this seat until 2013.  He was made an Alderman by the former Sedgefield Borough Council in March 2009 for his service and contribution to Local Government over a period of more than 24 years.

I am sure you will all join with me in this National Day of Remembrance and also to send our condolences to Ben’s wife Carole, his daughter Sharon, his extended family and friends at this sad time.

Can I ask you all to join with me in 2 minutes of silence and reflection.”