Mayor of Leominster

Deputy Mayor, Tessa, enjoyed the Leominster Festival Family Fun Day last weekend. Lovely photo of her with the Lugg Maiden from The Fetch Theatre

Photo thanks to Richard Shakespeare.

I also had the privilege of attending the official launch of the Leominster Heritage Guides walks on Saturday 8th June.

As featured as part of Leominster Festival

Town tours reveal Leominster’s rich history

Leominster mayor Gill Murdoch was greeted by ‘Brother Absalom, a 14th century time traveller,’ as she launched the town’s new heritage guides project (on Saturday 8-6-24).

Absalom, formerly a monk at Leominster Priory (who bore a striking resemblance to local history enthusiast Pete Blench) praised the new town tours initiative for shining a spotlight on Leominster’s rich history – “scandals and all!”

Volunteer guides are leading walk-and-talk tours around the former monastic precinct and historic heart of Leominster every Saturday.

Mayor Gill Murdoch, who has joined the guiding team herself, said:

“Leominster has something to shout about - its roots go deep. When William the Conqueror’s scribes compiled the Domesday Book, in the 11th century Leominster earned a lengthy entry. It had been in existence for more than 400 years following the foundation of its Saxon minster or monastic church

“Leominster was already on the map. Pilgrims were attracted by the minster’s great collection of religious relics, mainly the bones of saints.”

The mayor thanked the volunteer guides for signing up to the scheme and helping to boost the town’s tourism offer and Leominster Town Council for support and encouragement.

Project co-ordinator Hilary Myers said the guides all attended a winter training course on local history and were free to shape their own narrative on various aspects of the Leominster story.

The weekly tour, which takes up to 90 minutes, begins outside Leominster Information Centre, Corn Square at 11am each Saturday. Tickets, £5, are available in advance from the centre. There is no charge for (accompanied) children. Income will be invested in local projects.

PHOTO – Hilary Causer for Leominster Heritage Guides; CAPTION – Leominster mayor Gill Murdoch with the town guides and ‘Brother Absalom.’

It was an honour to visit our twin town of Saverne last week. On behalf of the people of Leominster, I presented our hosts with a commissioned piece of art by the very talented Duncan Tuck Watercolours

What a wonderful weekend....Leominster Festival Big Quiz, Guided Town Walk Launch, ECHO Colour Fest and the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra to finish off a busy, but fantastic weekend.

Thank you to all of the volunteers to help organise and run these events. Lovely to see every event so well attended, I hope everyone had fun.

Many thanks to Richard Shakespeare for the photos. These are just a small snapshot of me enjoying my Mayoral role, but keep an eye out for lots more photos of these events and the events still to go.

Leominster Town Council Leominster Information Centre

How amazing is Leominster 🤩

Great morning watching all the runners getting colourful at the ECHO Colour fest. Thank you to everyone who took part and all those volunteers that make events like this happen.

Huge thank you to Richard Shakespeare for the incredible photo.

Last night was Leominster Festival Big Quiz, in the Secret Garden. It was a fantastic evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Big thank you to all of the Festival Committee for organising this and good luck with the rest of the amazing events coming up over the next week.

You can join in the festival fun again today at the ECHO colour run, the official launch of the Guided Town Walks or tonight at the outdoor cinema screening of Jaws.

Details of all events can be found at Leominster Information Centre

Yesterday we had the commemorative service for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, followed by the lighting of the Beacon. It was so moving to hear about Bob Dyer's experiences of D-Day from his family.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Threads Through Creation exhibition at the Priory Church.

It is absolutely fabulous. It exhibits until mid July, giving plenty of opportunity for people to visit.

Leominster Town Council Leominster Information Centre PrioryArtsLeominster Priory Church, Leominster

I attended the Grange Court celebration on Friday for those who worked on the Grange Court project to ensure this wonderful building was not lost for the town. Volunteers and staff, past and present. What a lovely event.

Grange Court Leominster Town Council Leominster Information Centre

We are pleased to present our new Mayor of Leominster - Cllr Gill Murdoch. Keep an eye on the page to see all the wonderful local events that our new Mayor attends this year.

We would also like to welcome our Deputy Mayor - Cllr Tessa Smith-Winnard to her new role too.

And lastly, we would like to thank Cllr Allan Williams for his efforts and dedication during his tenure as the Mayor of Leominster.

If you would like to invite the Mayor to attend your local event then please contact Leominster Town Council (email: [email protected] )

Twelve months ago when I became Mayor of Leominster how time flies by when you are enjoying what you do,Thanks for the opportunity.

Taken Prior to handing over the reins to Gill Murdoch at the Priory Church on Friday evening how lucky have I been working with such lovely ladies

My Mayoral year ends this evening when I say my farewell speech in the Priory Church I must say I have really enjoyed the past twelve months. The year as been both hectic, busy and very rewarding.I must express my personal thanks to all councillors, council staff and our Town Clerk for their loyal support during my term as Mayor. Thanks must also go to all the wonderful people that Anne ( my wife and Mayoress ) and I have met for the hospitality and kindness shown to us both during the journey. Thank you.
Allan
Mayor of Leominster

The public realm work is progressing well in Leominster shoppers and visitors should find it easy to move around town in fact having walked the pavements shopping this morning I found it easier than before without the presence of the usual motor traffic.

A few of Cadets receiving awards today at the St John Ambulance Herefordshire. A Service of Thanksgiving,Remembrance and Re-dedication. Church Service in Herefords Holy Trinity Church.

“Leominster will be open for Business” !!!As the Current Mayor of Leominster I appeal to all residents of Leominster and surrounding areas to support shops and local businesses over the next few months during the public realm improvements in the town.

I opened the May Fair and enjoyed the hospitality of the Morris family along with fellow councillors thank you everyone.

Little did I know when this was taken ( “ I’m holding the cup” ) that I would wear the Mayors Chain one day. Only a few weeks of my Mayoral year left now.

A few photos taken this morning either side the Kenwater bridge. Very happy to help wheelbarrow stone with other good people to improve the walking route which had become very muddy due to continuous rain over many weeks.
Well done Councillor Marsh for organising the team and the Environment Agency for supplying the stone. The Mayor had a very special helper Seth Lawrence seen holding the wheelbarrow with him.

Photo’s from tonights Town Meeting held in Leominster’s Iconic Historic Grange Court they depict the individuals that won awards or persons collecting an award for an organisation also a group photo of LTC Chairs of committees and both the Mayor and the Town Clerk and the minute secretary.Photo’s taken by Councillor Virginie Jacquet

Happy Easter to one and all

Gabbs upgrade in Broadstreet and The Rankin Club in the Square before and after a Haz upgrade

Just a few from Independence Day in Leominster we are blessed with numerous independent shops in town we must support them

“Independence Day” Leominster was busy today very good to see.

THOUGHTS ANYONE -More than half a million pounds to clamp down on speeding has been set aside by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.

As part of the PCC’s commitment to reduce harm on West Mercia’s roads, set out in his Safer West Mercia Plan, a portion of the £600,000 will see average speed cameras installed along the A49.

A section of this A-road, from Leominster to Hereford (Dinmore), will benefit from fixed cameras in a bid to reduce speeding – a major contributory factor in around one third of all road traffic collisions.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I regularly speak to victims and their loved ones about the life-changing impact of collisions.

“As PCC, I am committed to playing my role to change the sad fact that too many people are seriously injured or killed on our roads.

“Through this funding, the A49 average speed camera scheme will help to reduce speeding and address concerns too often raised by motorists and local residents.”

Four decades ago yes the Mayor could plough a straight furrow it was in the genes