For the last 12 years I have dedicated an enormous amount of my time away from Integra to the local community in Chalfont St Peter. At its peak I estimate I was spending over 200 volunteer hours a year in various capacities.
With my business activities continuing to grow and a desire to spend more time with my family and on my personal interests, I decided a year ago to step down from my formal involvements and have, during 2016, stepped away from the Parish Council, the Neighbourhood Action Group and the Feast Day organising committee.
I am enormously proud of my time with these organisations and what we achieved during my periods of involvement. I also had a number of years as a member of the local Chamber of Commerce including two as its President.
Feast Day has put on an annual summer show since 2009 and took over the running of the Xmas Fun Night from the Chamber of Commerce a few years back too. In that time, we have not only given the community some fabulous entertainment but have also raised in excess of £80,000 for local good causes too.
This year’s Xmas Fun Night is on the 2nd December and will be another superb event with late night shopping, around forty stalls, carol singing, the Chalfont Wind Band and Accord Choir and a kiddies fun fair. We expect around half the village to attend. This will represent my swansong as a member of the committee.
My time in the Chamber of Commerce saw membership grow, improved communication with members, a new logo and brand imagery, the introduction, in conjunction with the support of the Parish Council, of one hour free car parking throughout the villageand the start of the Keep It Local campaign. We also instigated the closure of Market Place to enable a much better Xmas Fun Night to take place.
My time on the Neighbourhood Action Group saw the development of excellent relationships with the local police and the community and great efforts in improving aspects such as parking, speeding and anti-social behaviour.
As a Parish Councillor I was continually frustrated by both the bureaucracy and often small “Vicar of Dibley” thinking displayed. I have great admiration for the people who give their time as Councillors and some good work is done but the “system” is not conducive to speedy decision making!
During my time I tried to make a difference and was a key driver behind getting Chalfont St Giles Parish Council to share accommodation with Chalfont St Peter, to the benefit of both Parishes and for the instigation of the plant 100 trees by 2020 campaign.
As chair of the PR and Comms committee, I also pushed to improve communication and the Council now makes much better use of social media and has a written communications policy. There is however still much more that could be done.
During these 12 years I have worked and made friends with many fabulous people, people without whose dedication would see Chalfont St Peter be much poorer as a community and place to live, work and play.
I salute you and will continue to support you (albeit from the sidelines).
Michael Day