Here is an update on my work over May and June across Congleton Town Council and in the wider community, following on from my previous blog.
If you would like to raise a local issue or discuss something in more detail, please do get in touch: cllrsusan.mead@congleton-tc.gov.uk
The Mayor’s Civic Awards and Congleton Town Annual Meeting
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Mayor’s Civic Awards, an event that celebrates the incredible people within our community and recognises the valuable work they do. It was wonderful to see local individuals and groups being honoured by the Mayor for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to helping others.
The evening highlighted just how much effort goes into supporting and improving our local area. From volunteers to community organisations, the awards showcased the positive difference that so many people make every day. Watching the awards being presented was very uplifting, reminding us of the importance of community spirit and working together.
I also attended the Congleton Town Annual Town Meeting, which provided a great opportunity to learn more about what is going on in the town. It was interesting to hear about the work that has been undertaken throughout the year and the achievements that have been made across the community.
One of the most valuable parts of the meeting was listening to local residents and gaining a better understanding of what people would like to see in the future. Hearing their views, ideas, and concerns gave important insight into the priorities of the community and the areas where further improvements can be made.
Both events demonstrated the strength of community involvement and the importance of recognising the efforts of local people. It was encouraging to see so many individuals committed to making Congleton an even better place to live and work.
I also attended the Annual Mayor-Making evening at which we assign councillors to all the committees and elect the new Mayor, who this year is Cllr Suzy Firkin.
Bromley Bloomers
I lead the Bromley Bloomers, a group of residents that does fantastic work planting, developing, and maintaining the Friendship Garden. This has created a welcoming and enjoyable space for local residents to spend time outdoors and connect with others.
The group works hard to ensure the garden remains well cared for and continues to flourish throughout the year. Their efforts not only improve the appearance of the area but also help bring people together and create a stronger sense of community.
Another wonderful part of this work is providing free food, helping support local residents while encouraging people to come together and share in what the garden produces. I’m very grateful to all our volunteers, including the youth groups who have been to help with the garden.
Congleton Food & Drink Festival
The Congleton Food and Drink Festival is one of the highlights of the town’s calendar, bringing together local producers, talented chefs, community groups, and thousands of visitors for a celebration of great food, drink, and local culture. While festival-goers enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavours on offer, there is a dedicated team of volunteers working behind the scenes to help make the event a success.
Volunteering at the festival offers an opportunity to get involved in the local community. From helping visitors find their way around the festival site to supporting stallholders and assisting event organisers, volunteers play an essential role throughout the day.
One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is meeting people from all walks of life. The festival attracts visitors from across Cheshire and beyond, creating a friendly atmosphere. I enjoy volunteering and chatting with local residents, tourists, business owners, and fellow volunteers.
The event showcases the very best of Congleton’s independent food and drink businesses, highlighting the creativity and passion of local producers. Volunteers have the chance to see first-hand how much effort goes into organising a large-scale community event and to contribute to its success.
Many thanks to our Town Hall staff who made the event possible, and all the volunteers on the day.
Community Picnic at The Hub
Over the past few weeks, I have been helping to organise and plan the upcoming Community Picnic at The Hub. This is always a fun and well-attended event, and has become an annual summer fixture on Bromley Farm.
My role has involved helping to coordinate the various activities and arrangements needed to make the picnic a success. This includes planning free activities for families and children, organising food for attendees, and ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy on the day.
A big part of the preparation has been engaging with local organisations. It has been great to see how willing local businesses are to support community events, whether through donations, resources, sponsorship, or practical assistance. Building these relationships has helped strengthen community connections and ensure the event can offer as much as possible to those attending.
I have also been involved in recruiting volunteers and coordinating the support needed to run the event smoothly. Volunteers play a vital role in community projects, and we have a great team in the Bromley Farm Hub Group.
Alongside the practical planning, I have been assisting with the paperwork and administrative tasks required to organise a public event.
I am looking forward to seeing all the planning come together on the day and watching the community enjoy the event. Please come along on 11th July to the event at Parnell Square.
Supporting Buglawton Residents to Tackle Speeding and Parking Issues
Creating safer, more welcoming streets is something that benefits everyone. In Buglawton, residents have been working together to address ongoing concerns around speeding vehicles and inconsiderate parking, while developing practical initiatives that encourage positive change.
Community involvement is at the heart of making a difference. By supporting residents to identify local issues, develop strategies, and work collaboratively with partners, we can help create safer roads and improve the quality of life for everyone.
I attend regular meetings that provide an opportunity for residents to raise concerns, share experiences, and discuss potential solutions. A range of initiatives can help tackle these challenges, including promoting road safety awareness, encouraging responsible parking especially at school drop-off, exploring traffic-calming measures, and working alongside Cheshire East Council to find long-term solutions. By gathering evidence, reporting issues, and engaging with relevant agencies, I am working with residents to play an active role in influencing positive change.
Through working together, open communication, and a commitment to improving the local area, Buglawton can continue to develop safer streets for residents and especially children.
Gullies and hedgerows
Working closely with the Residents Forum and Plus Dane Housing, I have been able to focus on a range of issues affecting residents on Dale Crescent.
Recent discussions have centred on the condition of the gullies, which residents have highlighted as an ongoing concern. By raising these issues with the relevant organisations, we are helping to ensure that maintenance needs are identified and addressed to reduce potential problems for local residents.
Fly-tipping and unmaintained hedges have also been key topics of conversation. These issues can have a significant impact on the appearance of the neighbourhood, as well as on residents’ sense of pride and wellbeing. We have gathered feedback and concerns, enabling us to present a clear picture of the challenges being experienced to Plus Dane and Cheshire East Council.
Congleton in Bloom
There has been a fantastic community effort to prepare our neighbourhood gardens for the upcoming Congleton in Bloom judging. I’ve been working on a back to back garden at the park. I have planned it and we created back boards, display items with the children, growing plants, and have been making painted bees pictures and painting rocks. We also made bunting and added flowers.
Our wheelbarrow has been decorated with childrens craft, we have grown flowers and planted them and created a centre piece display.
At the In Your Neighbourhood Garden on Hillary Ave I have been responsible for planning, organising events and getting the resources to leep the garden maintained.
Meeting Attendance
For these two months my Council Committe attendance rate has been 100%.
The Equality Party 