Today (12 June) Shepway welcomed a visit from eight pupils from Mundella Primary School. They ranged in age from 7 to 11 years old and all serve on their school council.
(Mundella is not a misspelling of Mandela. The school is named after a nineteenth century MP who helped introduce compulsory education for children.)
Before the chain
Rather than greet them wearing the chain I thought they would like to see it being put on. The young visitors sat in the chairman’s parlour and each took a turn to hold the 18 carat gold chain before Martin pinned it in place and explained the history and significance of the insignia.
A vote was taken on the colour of ribbons to use and red was the unanimous choice. Our junior councillors then went to the council chamber and listened to a presentation by Jeremy Chambers, the Monitoring Officer, on what Shepway Council does.
Putting on the chain
Amazingly, at the end of this there were still a number of junior councillors keen to become Shepway councillors one day.
We finished the visit with photographs and, if one day, one of these junior councillors is voted onto Shepway council it will be a photo to rival the one taken of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson outside 10 Downing Street when he was a child.
In the chamber
Schools are welcome to follow Mundella’s example and visit the civic centre. Contact Shepway’s press officer Sarah Smith on 01303 853000.
Our future councillors
Tags: Mundella school