We’re coming to the end of a memorable summer for Hartlepool. The Tall Ships will naturally be remembered for a long time, but what has also been impressive has been the number of residents’ groups who have put on their own fun days and fayres.

All throughout the town, there has been hugely successful events, more than any previous year I believe. I am privileged to attend great events at Burn Valley, Rift House, Rossmere and Owton. They are the best constituency surgeries I hold, because so many people want to have a chat. I am always really pleased when people feel able to stop me for a word, but it does mean that I am always late for things.

I’ve been tempted, although didn’t try, those weird crisp-type kebabs that were available at some of the fun days – they looked both disgusting and tasty at the same time. I was told they were very tasty, although I had to take other people’s word for it. I have however eaten honey from bees at the Burn Valley allotments, which was absolutely beautiful. At the same event, I enjoyed making fun out of one member of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, who, despite it being a fairly warm day, was dressed like he was going to the Antarctic. Goodness knows what would happen if he needs to do a stakeout at night to tackle anti-social behaviour.

I have been very unlucky in all the raffles, to the point where I thought there might have been a fix. At the Meadowfield Court summer fayre a couple of weeks ago I picked up the Dads’ Army film DVD for a bargain price of 50 pence, something I’m rather proud of, and ate far too much cream than was good for me. Indeed, at most of the fun days I have eaten far too much cake.

Unusually this year, I escaped going into the stocks for a complete soaking, and have therefore stayed rather drier than I would normally. I got to try on chain mail from an historical re-enactment society from Hart Village when they were at the Rossmere Residents Fun Day in the Park. I missed, by being late, the bonnie babies competition at the Owton Manor fun day, but was on hand to judge the glamorous grannies competition. Unfortunately, only one lady entered, which was very disappointing – I know there are more glamorous ladies in Owton Manor than that.

The summer isn’t completely finished. I think the round of fun days will end in some style and drama this Saturday on the Rift House Rec, when Rift House Residents’ Association and Hart Gables are hosting an “It’s a Knockout” and Car Boot sale. Even better, Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher, a man who is very fond of his hair and its various interesting colours, all from a bottle, is being sponsored to have all his hair shaved off in aid of the Rifty Youth Club. It’s a very worthwhile cause, which is really making a difference to the young people in Rift House. But it will also be interesting to see what Cllr Akers-Belcher will look like in a few years time when he finally goes bald anyway. I hope you sponsor him because it is in a good cause.

I mention these events for a reason. The events take some organising, and committed community champions, like Irene Cross, Linda Harvey, Angie Wilcox, Anne Saunders, Tom Stewart, Susan Harriman, Ann Marshall, Stephen Akers-Belcher, Linda Pine, Dawn Robinson, Hilda Wales and many, many others give up their time to make sure they are a success. I know I will have missed out many people, and I apologise for that. These events are great ways for the community to come together and have some fun. I have mentioned on many occasions how Hartlepool has a strong community tradition, something that is very precious in the modern world. We need to make sure that we can keep hold of these strong community traditions.