Ashfield’s outgoing Chairman has raised more than £5,000 for Ashfield charities in a memorable year representing the District. Cllr. Paul Grafton has handed over the chains to Cllr. Dale Grounds as he takes the reign as the new Chairman of Ashfield District Council. During his time as Chairman, Cllr. Grafton has raised a total of £5,339.50 for his chosen charities for the year, which were the Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes and the Huthwaite Hub.
This was raised through successful events such as the Chairman’s Charity Ball, his 70s: The Decade of Disco event and Step into Christmas with the Chairman at Sherwood Observatory among others. He has also led services in memory of the five crew members who died when a Stirling Bomber, EH988, crashed in Annesley Forest on January 14, 1945, Merchant Navy Day and the VJ 80th anniversary ceremony.
Particular highlights have included attending the opening of the new Cornerstone Theatre, honouring those who go above and beyond at the Discover Ashfield Awards, standing in front of thousands of people to officially open Ashfield Show 2025 and meeting some of the District’s inspiring residents. Cllr. Grafton, who represents the Huthwaite and Brierley ward, said: “Being elected to represent the people of Ashfield was a real honour for me and there have been so many highlights through the year. Opening Ashfield Show to around 20,000 people over three days was amazing, as was Sparks in the Park. You could really see people enjoying the incredible live music, entertainment, stalls and the magnificent firework display. The amazing turnout of more than 3,000 at the Sutton Remembrance Day parade is something I won’t forget. What a show of respect.”
A heart-warming letter from Matilda Lewis is also something that will stick with Cllr. Grafton. The eight-year-old was upset by the amount of litter dropped on the pathways around her school and asked for permission to pick it up. Cllr. Grafton said: “I visited Matilda’s home and met her family. I presented her with a hi-vis jacket and litter picker and we went on a litter pick of her route to school. Now Matilda goes litter-picking with the help of many of her school friends and she was a winner of a Discover Ashfield award. A final memorable evening was my Step into Christmas with the Chairman event at the Planetarium. It was mesmerising when Chris Miggells performed on the piano.”
Throughout his year as Chairman, Cllr. Grafton has also attended services at Southwell Minister, Christmas carol services and civic luncheons with Bishop Paul Williams. Taking over as Chairman is Cllr. Dale Grounds who will be raising money for the John Eastwood Hospice and Pasic - a charity supporting children with cancer. Cllr. Tom Hollis is the new Vice Chairman.
