Plympton’s new Stannator, Natalie Harrison, has been sworn into office.
She was invested into the position at an official ceremony at Harewood House on June 16 attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth Cllr Chris Mavin and the Deputy Lady Mayoress Cllr Sue Dann, both of whom are Plympton residents.
“I am very involved with children both in my previous work at Rees Pre-school and now as a family support worker”
Outgoing Stannator Andrew Hill spoke of his year in office. He said he had attended 74 official engagements and went on to summarise some of them.
He announced that approximately £2100 had been raised for his chosen charity, The Elder Tree. He was then presented with an official scroll and past stannator’s badge by the Deputy Lord Mayor.
Chairman), Natalie Harrison, Cllr Chris Mavin (Deputy Lord Mayor)
The new Stannator then swore her oath and was presented with the chain of office. Mrs Harrison announced that her charity for the year would be the family support charity Home Start and the fundraising got off to a good start with almost £200 being raised in a draw at the investiture ceremony.
Mrs Harrison explained to those at the ceremony why she had chosen this charity.
“I am very involved with children both in my previous work at Rees Pre-school and now as a family support worker. Many years ago I broke my foot when my children were very, very young. I lived on the top of a hill and physically couldn’t move my children around. My son was five months old and my daughter was under three so I really needed some help,”
she said. Home Start provide various types of support to families with children up to the age of 12.
Outgoing Youth Ambassador Isaac Hudson was congratulated on his year in office and spoke about how his personal confidence had grown throughout his time in the role.
Isaac’s successor Molly Disney made her promise and was presented with the Youth Ambassador’s badge.
The Deputy Lord Mayor the addressed the room. He said:
“The Deputy Lady Mayoress and myself are fully aware of the value and the pride the committee here and the members of the wider public of Plympton have of having a Stannator within the Plympton area and recognising still the value of the old Plympton town.”
Rev’d Will Sweeney from St Maurice Church then gave a blessing after which a light buffet was served.
The three Plympton maces were brought to the ceremony by Plymouth City Council Macebearer Steve Mallinson who outlined their history to the guests in attendance after which there was opportunity for people to handle them with a pair of white gloves.
Extracts from the investiture night can be heard online in the August edition of the Plympton Podcast.
