Mayor's Special Teas

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The Mayor of a Staffordshire town was joined by some very special guests when she held the first of a series of afternoon teas to recognise local unsung heroes. The Mayor of Tamworth , Councillor Rosemary Claymore, decided to issue the tea invite to local people who had demonstrated kindness and support to others during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Nominations flooded in with more than 80 individual stories including kind individuals hand-delivering food hampers, help given to families with financial support, people and groups taking the time to make hand-made bags and face masks for the NHS and key workers, litter picking to help keep areas tidy, and a lockdown supper club providing meals, newspapers, shopping and befriending services to vulnerable people in the community.



The first-afternoon tea events took part at Tudor House Café and at Bolehall Manor , which were in honour of several people who had gone the 'extra mile' during the coronavirus crisis. They included four-year-old Eli, together with his parents Jack and Hannah. Eli was nominated for his hard work carrying out litter picks in the Stonydelph area of Tamworth during the pandemic. Eli told the Mayor that he hates seeing rubbish that people leave. It was the young boy's first experience of an afternoon tea and he was thrilled with his own special plates of sandwiches and cakes. Also present was Emily Arnold who was recognised for her commitment as a key worker at her local Co-op store, working up to 60 hours a week during lockdown. Also recognised were Sue Breslin and her daughter Ashley Nicolls for making face masks, bags and other items for the NHS, and four people - John and Rachel Scarnell, Fiona Styles and Caron Whitehouse - for befriending residents by phone during the pandemic.



The Mayor said: "I was truly amazed at how all those who attended have put other people before themselves, offering help and support especially when they have their own challenges and families to look after. Each person that attended has received a certificate of appreciation and a small hand-knitted rainbow pin brooch, as a thank you from me. I am looking forward to hosting more tea party groups, subject to the government guidelines and following all COVID-19 safety measures. This is a time to celebrate these acts of kindness and show our appreciation for these special people."

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