Lord Mayor of Exeter's Christmas Message

Christmas message from Exeter's Lord Mayor, Cllr Olwen Foggin:

"What a fantastic start to my year it has been! This has once again been a very eventful and successful year for Exeter, with the Rugby World Cup taking over the city, which really has put us on the World Map. I would like to send a special thanks to all those who took part in making it the success it was. Not only have we had the Rugby World Cup, we have also had the European Rugby 7s at our Sandy Park sending a wave of rugby fever throughout the city for the year. It’s pleasing to see the Exeter Chiefs at the top end of the table and hope they can sustain their current great form and bring the Premiership title home.

"Of course, not forgetting our beloved Exeter City Football Club, who are looking forward to the plum FA Cup tie against Liverpool, followed hopefully by a push for promotion. I had the privilege of having a bucket collection (for my chosen charity - The Exeter Foundation) at one of the matches, and watching our team players perform and win the match against Hartlepool Utd was an extremely proud moment for myself and my husband.

"I have attended many awe-inspiring events during my year. Being part of the 800th Year Anniversary celebrations for the Magna Carta; to presiding over the Freeman of the City Ceremony for Tony Rowe, who exercised his right to walk through the High Street herding sheep. To attending the World Pairs Championship and the World Individual Championship Quarter- Final event, which was held at the Exeter Aces Cycle Speedway. So many fantastic events that I have had the honour of attending and I couldn’t possibly list them all.

"I have learnt a lot of history whilst in my role as Lord Mayor, which I have found extremely eye opening, including the history of our very own Guildhall and this beautiful city. I recently attended the Crosse and Crosse Solicitors’ Centenary Celebrations which was held at the Exeter University and learnt how their success began. The Solicitors Firm put their name on the map in 1917 on the 7 March, when the 11am tram’s brakes failed, causing it to gather speed before colliding with a horse and cart, hitting a bridge and finally coming to a halt. At the time, all the City’s Councillors were solicitors and could not work on any of the cases related to the accident, due to a conflict of interests.

Another highlight of 2015 was when the Webb Ellis Cup visited Exeter on its tour around the Country and I invited the Air Training Corps, who had escorted the cup through the city, to come back with me to the Guildhall to have their photo with the Cup and Richard Hill, as well as a tour of the historic building. The youngsters played chamber music on the gallery. Later during the year, at another parade, I was told by one of the cadets that the day they visited the Guildhall was, ‘Awesome, Ma’am!’

"Every year the Exeter is going from strength to strength, with events that have been putting this lovely City in the lime light, such as Armed Forces Day and Legal Sunday. New businesses are opening and local communities are coming together in putting on some amazing events. I would like to thank our twinning groups, who keep the links of our twinned cities alive. We’ve had twinning visits from both Bad Homburg in Germany and Terracina in Italy, this year. Here’s to another year of prosperity, friendship and kindness.

"To all the staff at the Civic Centre, Museum, Public Realm, Cleansing Services, and everyone else at the City Council, I would like to thank you all for the efforts you put in, ensuring this city keeps looking great. Exeter is such a thriving city and I am so proud to represent it.

"Finally, to all of you, the Citizens of this historic and great city, I hope 2016 brings success and happiness to you and your families. May I take this opportunity to wish you, on behalf of myself and my family, a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year."

Cllr Olwen Foggin, Lord Mayor of Exeter.