Mayor's Blog June 2025

Councillor Emily Trow - Town Mayor 2025-26Hello!

I'm Emily, and I was delighted and honoured to be formally elected Mayor by my fellow councillors on 12 May: and it's been a busy few weeks to start the year.

My Charities

I have chosen two charities this year which are equally deserving.

Cllr Cleasby and the Mayor with Cllr Lisa Farrell - Marlborough Area Youth Forum is one of the Mayor's charities for 2025-26Marlborough Area Youth Forum provides activities for the younger generation all year round on Wednesdays and Fridays – everything from football, basketball, skateboarding, fencing, table tennis, badminton etc.  They also provide all children with a hot meal which is accompanied with fruit and vegetables.  It is particularly important during times when we are all experiencing the pinch and also, allows children and young adults to acquire strong social skills post covid.  They run several additional sessions during school holidays and even managed to get an Olympic skateboarder to provide lessons earlier on this year.  I look forward to working closely with them over the coming year and hope that we can fund some "away days" to the coast or other outings which will provide these youngsters with a brighter future and also give the parents some much needed respite. The Mayor is also supporting Prospect Hospice during 2025-26

Prospect Hospice holds a particularly poignant place in my heart.  When my husband was admitted to hospital for the final time in September 2024 and referred to the palliative care team we knew his time with us here was short.  I had made him only one promise: that I wouldn’t allow him to breathe his last breath in hospital.  We knew we needed to find him a place to spend his final days but sadly for the palliative care team and the family, despite tremendous efforts Prospect were unable to take him.  Frustratingly, they had the free beds but, due to a cut in government funding, they did not have the staff or means to give Chris the care he needed.  Luckily, he was transferred to Brendon Care in Froxfield where, some 24 hours later, he passed away peacefully.  My thought process really is this: I never want to hear that our local hospices can’t accept patients due to a funding crisis.  It is as disappointing for Prospect as it is for any family in this position.  If only our fundraising could help just one family (or lots – you generous lot!) it would mean that they wouldn’t experience the heart stopping and discouraging moments we all experienced.

Out and about

Since 12 May I have had a fairly busy time of it.

On 1 June, I was honoured to be invited and attend Malmesbury's Civic Service by the Mayor, Councillor Stephen James.  It took place at Malmesbury Abbey and, as my sister lives in Malmesbury, she kindly accompanied me to the service and reception afterwards (with her trusted dog Tashi).

The Mayor with her consort, Julie Swanwick2 June saw our own Mayor robing ceremony.  My sincere thanks to Kymee Cleasby for allowing me to be her understudy – I couldn’t have a better person to take the reins from.  The event was so beautifully organised by the Marlborough Town Council team and was well attended by dignitaries including Ninna Gibson, Deputy Lieutenant and Councillors, Past Mayors, Mayors from neighbouring towns & a city, representatives from emergency services and local organisations, family and friends.  My heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Marlborough Town Council and to everyone who attended – you are all exceptional.  I’d also like to thank Mark Luson for stepping up to the plate and agreeing to be nominated as Deputy Mayor (I know he’ll make an awesome Mayor).

This was a bittersweet event for me due to Chris not being here any more, but big thanks to my gorgeous mother Julie Swanwick (AKA Granny J) agreeing to be my consort this year.

The following night was the Marlborough Area Board, a Wiltshire Council meeting, which encompassed a number of local parish councillors & representatives and included local crime reports from Simon Garrett, the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Devizes, Marlborough & Pewsey.  There was an interesting presentation on fostering and several grant applications were approved.  One of my fellow Councillors, Caroline Wrench also attended – it really is great to see our newest councillors ‘rolling up their sleeves’ and getting stuck in.

Kate Rowland(CEO of SWA), Mayor Cllr Emily Trow, Angus Macpherson(Trustee of SWA) and Camilla Glass (Manager of Marlborough shop). Photo: Marlborough.NewsOn Wednesday 4 June, I took an hour out of my work day to open the new SWA (Surviving Without Abuse) boutique charity shop in Hughenden Yard.  Yes, I did use sharp golden scissors: past experience of hacking through ribbons with blunt scissors whilst grimacing and trying to smile has taught me a valuable lesson. The quality of goods in their shop is outstanding and I know they would welcome any donations should you feel you want to have a wardrobe clearout.  They are also looking for volunteers so please, if you have a spare few hours, I know they would welcome the help.

It was very wet on Saturday, 7 June when Mum & I attended The High Sheriff of Wiltshire’s Garden Party in Foxham.  Still, there was no wiping the smile from either of our faces when we saw the beautiful gardens and amazing Wiltshire produce on display.  The highlight for me was visiting the Great Bustard Stand (the Wiltshire County Bird) and seeing a photo of some seriously gorgeous newly hatched babies.  I thoroughly recommend going to see them as they are truly magnificent creatures.

A Planning Committee meeting on Monday, 9 June was expertly guided by Councillor Kym-Marie Cleasby (also our Wiltshire Councillor for Marlborough East Ward).

Lord-Lieutenant Dame Sarah Troughton, Marlborough’s Mayor Cllr Emily Trow, Chair of The Merchant’s House Trust Alison Galvin-Wright. Photo: Marlborough.NewsOn Friday, 13 June, I was truly privileged to be invited by The Merchant’s House to the opening of the Maton Exhibition.  The exhibition itself was opened by the charming Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton.  To anyone who loves Marlborough, Aldbourne and the surrounding area, I thoroughly recommend getting yourselves down to The Merchant’s House on the High Street to see these paintings – they are truly remarkable.

Opening the Parade Family FestivalJune 14 saw the 4th annual Parade Family Festival, which is a free event for all to come and listen to some absolutely fantastic musicians.  I was really proud to be asked to open this event and even managed to climb the steps at the side without tripping (this is no mean feat for me).  Despite the odd downpour, spirits were high and the final act, Humdinger, were brilliant.  I think we could have carried on dancing all night but the event drew to a close at 10 pm and I gratefully sank into my comfy slippers as soon as I got home.

 It has been really useful to build a network and get to know people from other towns and councils at these first few events of my Mayoral year.  I’ve already made a link to get some welcome advice from a neighbouring town on getting community speed watch back up and running... more on this later in the summer.

 Finally, I’d like to introduce you to the Mayoral Cat and his Deputy:

Mayoral Cat Deputy
Bagel Trow (Mayoral Cat and general boss of home) is a 10 year old half Maine Coon chocolate floof ball. Author of Bagel’s Splog*.
Stanley-Marmalade Trow (Deputy Mayoral Cat and 2IC) is a 7 year old ginger and white domestic short hair (moggy) and general layabout who loves terrorising my neighbour.

 *watch this space!

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