A Peach of a year for former mayor John

Cllr Peach and mayoress Janet Martin were fortunate to be invited numerous functions from May 2015 to May 2016, beginning with the traditional opening of the Lido and ending with the Mayor’s Ball.

The big beneficiaries of the long days were Age UK Peterborough, Hope into Action, the scout and guide movement and Combined Cadet Force, who joined Cllr Peach and Janet at the Mayor’s Parlour in the Town Hall for a cheque presentation.

Cllr Peach said: “I was very honoured to be asked to be the mayor. I had been asked before but was busy so did not have time to commit to it.

“I had a very enjoyable, interesting and exciting year. Hopefully we’ve put on some good events to raise money for the charities.”

Cheque presentations, laying wreaths and throwing a punch at council leader John Holdich (definitely staged) were just part of the fun but tiring schedule which Cllr Peach committed to during his year as mayor.

“It’s been interesting because some of the events you attend are big things, like the remembrance service,” said Cllr Peach. “Or you’re going to a big event representing Peterborough somewhere else.

“But some of the nicest things have been local people doing charity things.

“There was one lady who did a garden party at her home in Parnwell and it was lovely. Those sort of people have really worked hard to raise money for their particular charity.”

Cllr Peach gave a lot of thanks to Helen Sergeant, fellow city councillor Bella Saltmarsh, and his mayoress, for their tireless efoorts throughout the year.

“The mayoress worked very hard, particularly with the charities, because she was very interested in Age UK,” added Cllr Peach.

“She feels some of the older people are neglected.”