IT has been a hectic couple of weeks for Andy, myself and the Deputy Mayor, Garry Shortland, as any invitation I cannot attend he takes on if at all possible.

We started our post ‘slide’ week opening the new St Margaret’s Hospice Shop in Chard with Stuart, the town crier.

It’s great to see another empty shop being used, and there was a queue waiting outside for us when we cut the ribbon.

This is Chard’s first furniture shop for quite a while, and if you have anything to donate I am sure they would be pleased to use it to raise funds to provide care for local people who really need it.

On September 9, Andy and I attended the licensing of Georgina Vye, the new associate priest of St Mary’s and Combe St Nicholas Church, at St Mary’s in Chard, and on September 12 we visited Crewkerne to watch a performance of the classic musical ‘High Society’.

On September 13 we attended St Mary’s again with members of Chard Town Council to remember those who took part in the Battle of Britain.

On September 15 we hosted visiting Rotarians from America and Canada, who had tea and cake with us in the town hall before visiting Chard Museum.

Last Thursday I had the great pleasure of crowning our new Carnival royal party, Miss Chard, the carnival princess and her attendants at The Potting Shed in Cuttifords Door.

Then, on Saturday, I was invited to the open day at Spillers of Chard, where they had an indoor market and eight chefs in the showrooms cooking up delights to show us how all the kitchens worked.

We then had lunch in Axbridge with the Mayor there before taking part in their Blackberry Carnival.

On Sunday we were up early to visit Bridgwater and attend the civic service of the Mayor there at the Salvation Army Church.