SPEAKING as his year of office came to a close Councillor Chris Woodhouse told a packed audience at Abergavenny's Borough Theatre that he couldn't have written a better script for his time as mayor. "Sheila and I have had a wonderful year and I would like to thank everyone for allowing us the privilege of being mayor and mayoress of this wonderful town," he said. In his final speech as town mayor, Councillor Woodhouse, spoke of the many highlights of his year, from attending schools fetes and events at Bailey Park to meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury. "It has been like being on a roundabout - the faster it goes the harder it is to get off." Councillor Woodhouse also paid tribute to his wife Sheila, thanking her for her endless support. "She's been a pillar," he said. He also thanked deputy mayor, Councillor Graham Preece and his wife Susan for their support and their 'knowledge and experience' as well as mace bearers Harris and Michael Knight. "The real success in the town however, is the town council's clerk, Jim Wakeley for it is the clerk who really organises the town," he said. "Jim follows a long line of illustrious clerks like Messers Hardwick, Garner and Morgan and like them is prompt, never forgets, pulls all the strings and supports all town councillors not just the mayor." Councillor added that he was fortunate that his year had ended on a high note with 'one of the greatest days Abergavenny has seen in a long time' - the town's VE Day commemoration. "I have to thank our very own Captain Mainwaring, Councillor John Prosser for his work in organising this event which without a doubt was the crowning glory of the year for Sheila and I," said Councillor Woodhouse. As a final thought Councillor Woodhouse recounted a story which he said would forever remain with him "We had been to the Labour Club to present prizes for the best float in the carnival and I could see two young boys, who were no more than seven or eight years of age. They kept looking over at us and I could hear the one saying 'go on...ask him'. "Eventually they plucked up the courage to come over and the one looked up at me and said 'Excuse me Sir... are you our king?' "For that moment Sheila and I felt like a King and Queen," he said. As his final duty as mayor, Councillor Woodhouse was called upon to present a Town Community Award to Mrs Sonia Skinner, former chairman of the town's Abbeyfield House. Announcing the award, town clerk Jim Wakeley explained it was presented to citizens recognised for their service in the voluntary field. "Nomination forms are published in the Abergavenny Chronicle and the recipient is normally chosen at a meeting between the mayor, the clerk and the editor of The Chronicle," said Mr Wakeley. "However, on this occasion despite a remarkable response there was hardly need for a meeting because the nominations were almost all for one person - Mrs Sonia Skinner," he said "Mrs Skinner has given 20 years tireless and devoted service to the residents of Abergavenny's Abbeyfield House and has recently retired as its chairman," he said. "This is an extremely well deserved award," echoed Councillor Woodhouse. •AWARD: Councillor Chris Woodhouse presented Mrs Sonia Skinner with her 'well deserved' Town Community Award.
