History in the making – Our first Kettering Town Council meeting
Beginnings
I do love a bit of history. We’re fortunate that our local area and the wider county is steeped in
historic gems to visit and learn about. Particular favourites of mine are the ossuary at Holy
Trinity Parish Church, Rothwell, the Triangular Lodge, Rushton and the Eleanor Cross in
Geddington.
Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never been part of history in the making. But here I am, one
of five Green Party candidates elected Councillors for Kettering Town Council!
On the 19th of May, I attended my first council meeting. It felt akin to my first day at secondary
school: that slight trepidation of walking through the doors on your own and not knowing who is
who and where to go. Also the feeling of all eyes being on you as you take your seat…
I found the formal way that Councillors addressed the chair and each other interesting. To the
casual listeners ear, perhaps it would sound archaic. To me it reinforced an element of living
history, echoing across the centuries.
The items on our agenda were dealt with at a furious pace, perhaps because they mainly
concerned appointing the chair and committee members. It wasn’t till we reached the last item
that any real deliberation occurred. We were being asked to consider a new coat of arms to
represent the council. The proposed emblem had been originally designed in 1938 and was
used by the old town council. After an impassioned speech by a member of the public and one
other Councillor, it was respectfully agreed that the supporting figures on the coat of arms were
unsuitable symbols to represent our council and community in the 21st Century. So, there it was
again, history in the making.
You can read more about the coat of arms and the changes to it here.
For me exploring and understanding history is about acknowledging where we have come from,
where we are going and what we can do. Whilst historic traditions have value and connect us
all, we need to make vital new ones that are worth looking back to.
Keiron Farrow
Councillor for Brambleside
