The Town Council kicked off its “Taste of Democracy” project with a visit to Spinfield School on Thursday. The Town Mayor, Cllr Bob Johnson and Deputy Clerk, Katherine Joy, had great fun talking to Year 5 about the work of the Town Council.
The project aims to raise awareness of democracy and the voting process among the young people of Marlow. “The children were so well informed about how our country is run – I was very impressed,” the Town Mayor said.
As part of the Town Council’s Vision to engage with the town’s younger residents the children were asked for their feedback. The Town Mayor promised to share all their ideas with his fellow Councillors and to post a selection of their comments on the Council’s website.
Katherine commented: “The children were very socially aware and had a great level of understanding about how communities function, demonstrating an awareness beyond their years. It was a pleasure meeting them.”
All the children were presented with a button badge as a thank you from the Town Mayor.
This visit starts a summer-long project run by the Town Council. “We want to listen to all our residents, young and old. Meeting our younger Marlovians at school and offering a glimpse of what we do in exchange for hearing their views is hugely beneficial – they are the voters of the future,” commented the Mayor.
To make this process fun as well as informative the Council is offering to hold “Mock Elections” in all the Marlow primary schools. Children will be taking part in the great “Cake Debate” and voting for their favourite bake.
Pupils will be given a taster of what a real election involves, including campaigning, voting in a real polling booth, designing election posters, filling in ballot papers and counting the votes.
The Town Council will then deliver to schools enough of the favourite and democratically chosen cake for all the children and staff to enjoy.
“I’m very excited about visiting all the schools this summer,” the Mayor said. “If the excitement shown at Spinfield School is anything to go by, we’re in for a very busy time”
