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26 May 2025: Reflections on Oliver Forder’s First Month as Chair

Good morning

I hope you are all enjoying the bank holiday weekend.  Personally, I am recovering as we had a meeting of my extended family – ‘Forder Day’ – yesterday in Abingdon.

Having thought further about the role of the Chair, it occurs to me that, when I attend civic events, I am doing so on behalf of the council as a whole and it is therefore appropriate that all councillors should be aware of what I have done.  It’s not especially exciting, But I hope you find it reasonably interesting.  I shall anyway be asking random questions to ensure you have all read it! 😊

The week before I was elected as Chair, as I had attended, in Kiera’s stead, the following events as Vice-Chair: –

  • 6 May Didcot Mayor Making
  • 9 May WE Day Celebration, Didcot
  • 11 May Faringdon Civic Service
  • 11 May Cherwell DC Charity Lunch
  • 12 May Abingdon Mayor Making
  • On 14 May, I had the privilege of being elected Chair of the Vale

On 17 May, I attended with Elspeth an unveiling of a blue plaque in Banbury in memory of Herbert Payne.  Payne had campaigned tirelessly before the 1st World War for the provision of council housing, and, with the assistance of a loan from the recently formed PWLB, succeeded in having 20 council houses built, which are still standing and in use.  As a conscientious objector in the war, he was treated very harshly, and eventually died, still a young man, in a mental asylum.

On 20 May, I attended with Elspeth a supper in Dorchester Abbey at the invitation the Lord Lieutenant.

On 21 May, I attended with Elspeth the annual meeting of Cherwell DC.  I was very impressed at how the Chair processed in at the beginning of the meeting and everybody rose – definitely something to be introduced to our meetings 😊.  Below is a photo of me with the new Chair, Dorothy Walker.  The eagle eyed amongst you will have noted the absence of the chain.  This is because it has been taken to the chain hospital in Birmingham for urgent repairs.

I am well aware that there is a network of Mayors of our excellent Town councils throughout the district who are well able to demonstrate civic unity at local events, but do please let me know if there are any events at which it would be helpful or appropriate for the Vale to be represented, and either I or Jill will do our very best to attend.

Best wishes

Cllr Oliver Forder