A Message from the Mayor of Ramsgate - May 2021

2021 has brought with it a renewed hope in the form of our vaccines developed by international cooperation in a time of global crisis. Spring is finally here, and Ramsgate is beginning to bloom. Students are returning to schools and colleges and with an end to lockdown in sight we have good reason to be hopeful. However, it is even more important that we continue to keep safe and not grow complacent.

Looking back at the first three months of 2021, as your Mayor, I have attended several memorials. January 27 was Holocaust Memorial Day. This year's virtual event was organised by myself and the Mayoral office, it was an interfaith event, and can be watched on the Ramsgate Town Youtube Channel. Although it was not possible to attend the Synagogue, we were able to mark this sombre day with unity and compassion. I would like to thank Rabbi Cliff and Helen Cohen, Godfrey Fisher of Ramsgate Synagogue, Carl Whitewood of Ramsgate Salvation Army and, as always, my personal assistant, Kim Hobbs, for her help, as well as Ramsgate Town Council and the Technicians for their continuing hard work for our town.

On February 12, I attended the 79th anniversary of the Channel Dash to commemorate 'Operation Fuller' and the brave pilots who lost their lives. The memorial itself is situated in Pier Yard, Ramsgate Inner Harbour.

I was delighted to be a part of the 50th anniversary of the Ramsgate Society, which included the planting of 50 trees. Well done to all the volunteers who took part and Thanet District Council (TDC) for their input.

As your TDC councillor, it has been a busy three months, with housing and homelessness casework, and the usual refuse removal requests from our town. I continue to work for, and alongside, the community and would like residents to know that I am always available for my constituents.

Written by:
Councillor Raushan Ara,
Mayor of Ramsgate 2020-21