Date: 16/10/2008
Buxton schoolboy Giann Magno's artistic talents led him to the prestigious height of becoming High Peak Mayor for a day, during Local Democracy Week.
Nine-year-old Giann's portrait of the current Mayor, Councillor Robin Baldry, won him top prize in a competition run by his school, St Anne's Catholic Primary, for the privilege of performing High Peak Borough Council's civic duties on Wednesday, October 15, 2008.
Giann, wearing replica mayoral regalia, and his father Gilbert, were met by the Mayor, in his chauffeur-driven car, at the Lightwood Road school, then embarked on a whistle-stop schedule that included the Mayor's question and answer session in the Council Chamber, in Chinley.
More than 50 of his fellow pupils, from Year 6, joined in the session, asking about topics ranging from new developments in Buxton to leisure facilities for young people.
During the action-packed day, Giann accepted cheques totalling more than £260, on the Mayor's behalf, from Janet Dickinson, High Peak's Customer Services manager, raised by Council employees during National Customer Services Week, in aid of the Mayor's Charities Fund.
He also visited Buxton's Old Baths and Castleton Tourist Information Centre, and enjoyed lunch with the Mayor, at the Pavilion Gardens, before returning to school.
To earn the prize, pupils at St Anne's were asked to create a portrait of the Mayor. Councillor Baldry visited the school to shortlist the ten best entries.
Giann's entry was chosen as overall winner by Father Dennis Higgins, Parish Priest of St Anne's Church.
"Giann was a model Mayor, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience," said Councillor Baldry. "It was a pleasure to meet him and his fellow pupils, who raised some very pertinent issues during the question and answer session. All in all, it was a very worthwhile exercise for all concerned."
Councillor Andrew Bingham, Executive Councillor for Social and Community Development, said: "The day was a great success, and gave Giann and other children at St Anne's a first-hand insight into both the mayoral role and how their local council works.
"It was just one of a number of events that we staged for young people during Local Democracy Week, so we could listen to their views and learn about their priorities, as well as to encouraging them to become involved in and help to influence local decision making."
During the week, from October 13 to 17, about 240 Year 10 and 11 pupils in Buxton, the Glossop area and Hope, took part in workshops, staged by Borough Council officers and councillors to help them understand the relevance and importance of taking part in the democratic process.
Photo: High Peak's young Mayor for a day, Giann Magno (centre) receives cheques for more than £260, raised by Borough Council staff for the Mayor's charities, from Customer Services manager Janet Dickinson (right), on behalf of Councillor Robin Baldry, the Mayor of High Peak (left). Looking on behind are (from left) Customer Service advisers Jayne Goddard and Hannah Jones.