PROFILE: Parliament is in recess and council chambers are quieter until September. Our local leaders, however, are often hard at work representing residents, attending events and dealing with casework all summer long.
The idea behind Beverley Review’s summer series is to show this side of public life in our area, instead of the usual endless outrage and hunt for clicks. So for a few weeks, we’re taking a light-hearted approach to asking local figures what actually fills their summer diaries, what five summer tunes they love, and what they adore most about summer in this wonderful town and county.
This time we’re staying in Beverley with the town’s Mayor, Councillor Cheryl Giles.
What’s on your plate this summer?
For a new Mayor, Cheryl Giles has been thrown fairly quickly into the ceremonial life of the town.
There have been charity events, the opening of newly renovated gardens at a care home, the Spring Event at Bishop Burton and the Yorkshire and Humberside Civic Societies Summer Regional Meeting, hosted in Beverley this year.
The moment that stands out, though, is the Freedom Parade. It was Cheryl’s first outing in the full mayoral robes and regalia and, she admits, a rather special one.
“It was a truly proud moment for me.”
Afterwards she met some of the troops who had taken part.
“They were professional and proud ambassadors for their regiment. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their experiences and thanking them for their service.”
There may yet be another big occasion before the summer is out. Cheryl is waiting to hear the outcome of a funding bid connected with welcoming the Tour of Britain cycling finish. The Town Council is keen for Beverley to play its part and, if the bid succeeds, the Mayor’s diary will become busier still.
“[Our Troops] were professional and proud ambassadors for their regiment. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their experiences and thanking them for their service.”
What’s on your playlist this summer?
Then there is the important business of the summer playlist, and Cheryl’s choices suggest the Mayor of Beverley has rather good taste.
Miriam Makeba’s Pata Pata, Bill Withers’ Lovely Day, Soul II Soul’s Back to Life, Mica Paris’s My One Temptation and Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Three Little Birds.
It’s a soulful selection, stretching from South Africa to late-eighties Britain, with Bob Marley to finish. There are considerably worse ways to soundtrack an East Yorkshire summer.
Why, to you, is Beverley a great place to be this summer?
Here Cheryl has an easier job than most politicians. She only has to describe Beverley.
“In the summer Beverley has a unique way of slowing you down. You can wander through centuries of history, browse independent shops, enjoy outdoor cafés and restaurants, and within minutes find yourself on the peaceful Westwood watching grazing cattle.”
That ability to change pace within a few streets is part of the town’s appeal. Saturday Market and Wednesday Market spill outside as cafés and restaurants fill their tables, while the shops, pubs and old streets carry on around them. Walk a little further and the buildings give way to Westwood.
Cheryl also picks out the flowers and flags around the town centre during summer. Beverley Town Council organises displays of both Union and Pride flags outside businesses, alongside the hanging baskets and planting that appear around the town.
“In the summer Beverley has a unique way of slowing you down. You can wander through centuries of history, browse independent shops, enjoy outdoor cafés and restaurants, and within minutes find yourself on the peaceful Westwood watching grazing cattle.”
Then there is the sheer amount going on. Racing, markets, music, theatre and community events mean Beverley rarely has much trouble filling a summer weekend.
“It’s lovely to see locals out and about enjoying what there is to offer, as well as welcoming visitors to our wonderful town.”
A summer in the chains
Being Mayor of Beverley is an unusual job. The robes and chains are the visible bit, but most of the role is representing the town: attending events, supporting organisations, welcoming visitors and being there when Beverley marks something important.
Cheryl Giles is still relatively early in her year in office, but her first summer has already taken her from a care home garden to a military parade, with plenty in between.
There is clearly plenty more to come before she hands the chains to her successor next year. And if the Tour of Britain comes calling, the mayoral diary may need a little more space yet.
Read more:
A summer on the move with Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding Council
What a great piece and congratulations to the Mayor