Dunmow mayor's 2021 review and plans for 2022

In 2021 Dunmow has bounced back from the lockdown restrictions and re-established the town as a great place to shop and socialise.

Our town centre is vibrant with a wonderful range of independent shops, cafes and restaurants appealing to all tastes.

We have also been able to arrange a wide range of events and activities to appeal to our residents.

Great Dunmow Town Council mayor Patrick Lavelle welcomes participants to the Gerat Dunmow Summer Solstice Sundown festival (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Covid-safe 'pods' at Great Dunmow Summer Solstice Sundown festival (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

We had the Summer Sundowner Music Festival in June, regular performances of music in the Town Square from July onwards, the Teddy Bears picnic in July, the Dunmow Summer Market in August, the Dunmow Horticultural show in September, the Kite Flying festival in October and the Fireworks, Christmas Market in November and the live Nativity in December.

Bears and other soft toys are thrown into the air at Great Dunmow's Teddy Bears' Picnic 2021 (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

The shun shone on Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

Great Dunmow mayor Patrick Lavelle and Society Chairwoman Amanda Perry with Barbara Sallows' Covid Cornucopia display behind them at the Autumn Exhibition of Dunmow Horticultural Society (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)

I would love to have your feedback on these events and I wonder if there is anyone who has attended them all?

Plans for 2022

For the Town Council it has also been a period of intense activity and change.

Our Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk have both resigned and we are recruiting replacements to support the Town and Council through the many changes that we face.

We are also progressing with three important projects to improve the amenities for the Town: the upgrade to the Foakes Hall planned for summer 2022, the improvements to the Dourdan Pavilion which includes new toilet facilities in the car park and the installation of a fountain in the Doctors Pond to improve aeration and reduce the risk of future algal blooms.

Looking ahead we are planning to maintain the activities that we have started but we are also looking forward to the Flitch Ball in February, the Soap Box Race in May, the Platinum Jubilee in June, the Flitch Trials in July and the Dunmow Carnival in September.

As Mayor it has been a privilege to see our community come together and to have been able to meet so many residents at the different events and activities.

I wish you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season and May Dunmow Prosper.