Christmas message 2024
Published: 20 December 2024
The Worshipful Town Mayor of Deal, Cllr Oliver Richardson: "I hope 2024 has been kind and that you have enjoyed all the very best our beautiful town has offered.
"Storms swept in last month and we had to forgo one of the great annual events that is the Christmas Lights Switch-On.
"But, thanks to the dedication of Deal & Walmer Chamber of Trade and the hard work of a host of volunteers, the town looks cracking this Christmas, festooned with festive fairy lights and is sparkling this winter.
"It’s that great community spirit reflected again, regardless of the setbacks, we’ll keep trying to make Deal the best town we can.
"You can see that same determination in the team behind the Boxing Day Dip.
"This brilliant event is attended by thousands of people and although cancelled this year due to poor bathing conditions, the team have reimagined what they can do and are staging an alternative community event and I urge you all to head down to the seafront this Boxing Day from 11am to join in the fun.
"As your Town Council, we’re doing all we can to exert pressure and make sure our sea is safe again and I'm sure we’ll be welcoming a return to the traditional Boxing Day Dip in 2025.
"As Mayor, I’m proud that the council strives to support you and local groups and organisations to do the day-to-day and the extraordinary too.
"We’re continuing to reach out to all our schools, businesses and communities, to make life better for us all. We’ve led a host of projects this year that have brought us further out in to the community and we’ve more plans for next year.
"There were many amazing moments in 2024, Pride, the lantern parade on the pier, the extraordinary carnival and regatta week, we really have been spoiled for choice.
"There are three though that I’d like to share with you now.
"The first is Deal becoming only the second town in the whole UK to earn Council of Sanctuary accreditation. Our motto ‘Welcome the Stranger’, was established when we gained independence in 1699.
"It fills me with pride to know it is as true today as it was then.
"Next is Deal Town Council achieving net zero, as set out in our declaration in 2019. We’ve worked to ensure our estate is as environmentally sound as is practical and we’ll continue to share and support the wider community as we look to deliver even more climate action.
"And third was representing our town at the installation of the new Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Admiral Sir George Zambellas.
"The ceremony was steeped in history but brought together all Cinque Port towns and, we welcomed Sir George to the Town Hall, I am sure that we have a great ally and strong future under his charge.
"I find hope and strength in what binds us together, what we have in common, rather than what sets us apart.
"I see it wherever I go as Mayor. We have pride in our town and a reassurance of knowing we are part of something special.
"So, at this very special time of year, from the Mayoress and myself and the whole team of councillors and staff here at the Town Hall, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and here is to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year."