Ashby de la Zouch Town Council chairman and Mayor, Cllr Graham Allman, presented his report to Monday's Full Council meeting.

He gave some of the highlights of the past three months which have been hit once again by a coronavirus lockdown. This is what Cllr Allman said.

• *******************************

The past three months has, much like the previous quarter, seen a steady raft of activity representing and supporting Ashby Town Council.

On Sunday, October 25, I attended, with The Mayoress, the War Memorial to record a video pre-

Remembrance Sunday parade with Vicar Mary Gregory from St Helen's Church leading the service, which was also attended by Valerie Gale-Cox President of the Ashby branch Royal British Legion, her standard bearer and bugler.

I can confirm that The Mayor of our twinning town in France, Pithiviers, Monsieur Phillipe Nolland sent warm wishes to all on Ashby Council.

Saturday, October 31, we acted, on a very wet day, in the opening of Pennies Worth a new store sitting on Market Street, this being the second store for the owners who have a sister store in Atherstone which they have successfully run as a family business for 15 years.

Later the same day saw the reopening of Penny's Accessories on Mill Lane Mews with the owners running a similar retail business in Tutbury.

Friday, November 6, saw me at the Ivanhoe Club with the Stewardess Karen Deacon in support of her Poppy Day dressing of the tree sitting on the club's car park which has now become an annual event.

On November 8, I laid the official Ashby Town Wreath, with assistance of a close friend and Ashby resident Mike Briggs, whose brave Great Grandfather perished in the trenches of World War 1 serving King and Country for the freedom we enjoy today.

November 11, we attended the very sombre Armistice ceremony at The War Memorial with members of the Royal British Legion, local churches & Councillor John Coxon, leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council.

Friday, December 1, I recorded a 'stay safe' video to be shown on the town's website and Facebook.

On December 22, we awarded Ashby's Best Dressed Window to Sew Wardrobe with Leicestershire High Sheriff Mrs Alison Smith also in attendance. The same day we judged private households Best Christmas Tree competition remotely .

On January 24, I joined the Christian Churches of Ashby in a Zoom cast on behalf of Ashby Council and presented a short recital of the works carried out by the council during the pandemic.

We have had many meetings to discuss The Annual Mayor's Charity Mind. the mental health good cause between Mayoress Charmaigne , Alex from The Lamb Inn ,myself and Mrs Amanda Shakespeare with what to do with the circa 400 raffle prizes and many auction gifts as both the raffle which was due to take place at The Lamb in December, and Annual Dinner, in May, when the auction was going to be held, have both been cancelled.

Many so generously gifted perishable items which were going out of date along with tokens from local businesses who have gone out of business, then the issue of storage which was by way of one of our sheds with water damage, mould etc , we decided with the agreement of Mind to move salvageable items to their offices in Burton from where they will dispose of by social media and their own contacts so as not to lose all their value retaining some benefit going to their charity.

They have agreed to inform us of the amount raised so that we can add to the current monies held by the council of circa £1,500 and make the announcement through hopefully at the Annual Town Meeting.

I would like to add my personal thanks to my wife Charmaigne, Alex Stanley from the Lamb, local resident Mrs Amanda Shakespeare and our own Natalie Bone for all their assistance in the good cause project. It wouldn't have happened without the dedicated hard work of these ladies.

The period has also afforded us the opportunity to provide advice, support and assistance to many residents on issues related to Covid -19. I have regularly visited Legion House throughout the period adhering to Government advice and regulations.