As we approach the festive season and reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude and pride to serve as the Mayor of Brentwood. It has been a tremendous privilege to represent our Brentwood borough.
Throughout 2024, I have had the honour of participating in events that truly showcase the heart and spirit of Brentwood. Highlights of my Mayoral year include our annual Civic Carol Service at Brentwood Cathedral, where the beautiful music and community atmosphere brought the magic of Christmas to life, and the Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service, where residents gathered to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. These occasions remind me of the values that make our borough so special - unity, resilience and kindness.
Supporting local causes has been central to my role as Mayor. I am proud to champion two exceptional charities: SNAP (Special Needs and Parents), founded 30 years ago by eight Brentwood mums, provides vital support to families of children with additional needs, and the Trussell Trust Food Bank Brentwood, led by Bonnie and her dedicated team, who work tirelessly to address food poverty and provide relief to those in need. Their efforts are a testament to the generosity and compassion that define our community.
This year, we’ve also enjoyed wonderful events such as the Strawberry Sports Fair, which brought together families for a day of fun and togetherness. It was great to see so many families having fun and trying out some sports they may not have participated in before. We also organised charity evenings such as a Curry Night, Musical Bingo and Quiz Night, all of which successfully raised much-needed funds for my chosen causes. Participating in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge as part of the public sector’s OneTeam initiative was, as well as being exhausting, another memorable highlight, reflecting our commitment to collaboration and teamwork.
Visits to our twin towns of Montbazon and Roth earlier this year were a reminder of the strong international bonds we continue to nurture. I am eager to see these relationships flourish further as we build on our shared values of friendship and collaboration.
Looking ahead, I am excited about continuing my work in the New Year, with more charity events planned, as well as opportunities to celebrate Brentwood’s remarkable residents and organisations through the Civic Awards. These awards provide a platform to honour those who go above and beyond to make a difference in our Borough. If you know someone deserving of recognition, I encourage you to nominate them here: https://my.brentwood.gov.uk/service/Civic_Awards_Nomination.
As we celebrate this special season, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to making Brentwood a better place, whether through volunteering, supporting local causes, or simply spreading kindness. If you have a community event or gathering in the coming year, I would be delighted to join you, please reach out at mayors.secretary@brentwood.gov.uk.
Let’s carry the spirit of hope and togetherness into 2025. Wishing you all a joyous Christmas filled with peace, love and laughter, and a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Councillor Mark Haigh
Mayor of Brentwood Borough Council
