Cllr Darren Aitchison BEM

03/09/2026

Here is a quick review of the last week as Mayor of Felixstowe.

I was invited to speak at a Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce event and was asked to talk a bit more about myself than I’m normally used to. It made me reflect on just how much has happened in the last eight years: two torch lit remembrance parades, founding Felixstowe Remembers, founding and running Felixstowe Helping Hands, being awarded the BEM, attending the King’s Coronation, becoming the first elected Independent Town Councillor in over 50 years, and then the first Independent Mayor. Alongside that, chairing the governing board at Felixstowe School, chairing a local charity, and taking on various other community roles. When you look back, it is incredible what can be achieved when you care about your town and get involved. Oh, and having a full time job in Cyber Security.

Saturday was the Mayor’s Pool Competition at the 147 Club, with a brilliant turnout of 24 players, including four teenagers. One of them knocked me out in the first game, which they were very proud of. Thank you to all the staff and everyone who took part in the tournament.

The rest of the long weekend was packed with music. On Sunday, we joined Laura Locke in the Seafront Gardens for WAM Fest, with so many incredibly talented musicians and singers. Felixstowe Harmonies performed their Magic of Felixstowe song and my favourite, Run by Snow Patrol. Later that evening, we headed to the Con Club for their music night, showcasing more brilliant local singers and an excellent Oasis tribute band.

On Monday, we were back in the gardens for Music in Felixstowe’s Proms by the Prom. Again, there was so much talent on show, with the evening rounded off by the Felixstowe Festival Orchestra.

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of joining Peter Livey for a dock tour and a visit aboard HMM Southampton. It was amazing to see inside one of the largest container ships in the world and speak to the crew.

And today, I raised the Red Ensign in the Town Hall Gardens to mark Merchant Navy Day and recognise the vital contribution of the men and women who serve at sea.

A busy week, but a brilliant reminder of what makes Felixstowe special: community, creativity, and people who care.

23/08/2026

This weekend was a fantastic reminder of how much Felixstowe thrives because of the dedication of volunteers and the strength of our community spirit.

Saturday began at Hallowtree Camp for the Scout Suffolk Punch event. Around 600 Scouts and Explorers are camping for four days, joined each day by younger Cubs and Beavers. The volunteers who run this event put in an extraordinary amount of work to create a safe, exciting and unforgettable experience for the young people. Cass joined me, and it was brilliant to see just how much the Scouts were enjoying themselves. Many were trying activities they would never usually get the chance to do, including zip wire, air r***e, archery, axe throwing, canoeing, paddle boarding, crafts and so much more. The smiles, the confidence and the sense of adventure were clear everywhere you looked. There was so much happening that we couldn’t see it all in one visit, so we returned on Sunday to catch up with even more of the action.

Later on Saturday, we visited the Felixstowe Conservative Club to officially open the new Garden Bar, where I had the honour of pulling the very first pint. The volunteers on the Committee have worked tirelessly to re‑energise the Club, giving up countless evenings and weekends to create a welcoming space that will be perfect for outdoor events and functions. Their commitment has transformed the Club and strengthened its place in the community.

Saturday evening finished at Landguard Fort for the Sea Shanty fundraiser supporting the Felixstowe Independent Lifeboat. The volunteers from the Fort and the lifeboat team put huge effort into organising this event, and it was great to see over 200 people attending. Our community is incredibly lucky to have a volunteer lifeboat service that relies entirely on donations and fundraising to continue its vital work. Every person who came along helped support the volunteers who keep our coastline safe, often in challenging conditions.

Across Scouts, community venues and our lifeboat crew, one message stood out. Felixstowe is powered by volunteers who give their time, skills and enthusiasm to make our town a better place. It was a privilege to spend the weekend with so many of them.

07/08/2026

A huge thank you to the Swim Safe team for letting me join one of their sea‑safety sessions this afternoon. They normally only take young people up to 14, so I definitely felt a bit like Buddy from Elf taking part - but it was great fun and really informative.

The children learned so much about staying safe in the sea… and then they all teamed up to splash the Mayor at the end, which I’m told is part of the experience!

Fantastic work from a brilliant team.

These sessions are free, and the team is in Felixstowe again on the 19th and 20th August. There are still spaces available - book via https://swimsafe.org.uk/locations/felixstowe

Thank you Harwich Haven Authority for funding this valuable project.

04/08/2026

Earlier today I went to visit the amazing Swim Safe team on Felixstowe beach. They’re doing brilliant work teaching young people how to stay safe when swimming in the sea - and all of it is completely free thanks to funding from Harwich Haven Authority.

The kids were having a great time, the team were full of energy, and the whole thing is such a valuable resource for our community.

They’ve even talked me into getting in the sea with them on Friday… so if you see me braving the waves, you’ll know why!

Huge thanks to everyone involved for bringing Swim Safe to Felixstowe.

03/08/2026

I’m incredibly proud to be supporting Brave Futures as one of my Mayor’s Charities this year. The work they do here in Felixstowe is vital - and often life‑changing.

1 in 6 is a shocking statistic, but the truth is the real number could be even higher. That’s why talking about this matters. When we shine a light on the issue and share the work Brave Futures does, we help show that support is out there, that no one has to face this alone, and that every victim will be believed, heard, and supported.

Let’s keep raising awareness. Let’s keep opening doors. And let’s make sure Brave Futures can continue doing the incredible work our community relies on.

New figures show one in six children in England and Wales will experience sexual abuse before turning 18 — this is up from one in ten. Suffolk charity Brave Futures says just 15% of the children it has supported over the past 14 years have seen their case reach prosecution.

Read the full story: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/one-in-six-children-abused-as-charity-says-few-cases-reach-court/

27/07/2026

What an incredible weekend for Felixstowe Carnival. I’ve been involved in many events as Mayor, but this one really showed just how special our town is.

I want to start by thanking the Carnival Committee, every volunteer and all of the sponsors and amazing volunteers. The amount of work that goes into delivering a full weekend of free entertainment, live music, activities and the procession is huge, and Felixstowe is lucky to have people who give so much of their time and energy. None of this would happen without them.

Friday night was a proud moment for me. Giving the opening speech on the main stage and welcoming everyone to the Carnival felt surreal. I’ve lived in Felixstowe all my life, and to stand there as Mayor, looking out at a packed seafront full of families, friends and visitors enjoying the event, was something I won’t forget.

Saturday was full on from start to finish. I enjoyed breakfast with our visitors from Salzwedel and then I joined my Mayor’s Charities in the procession with our milk float, it was brilliant to be out there representing Brave Futures, Pitstop and Dora Brown alongside so many fantastic charities, community groups and sports teams. After the procession it was great to spend the evening with family and friends enjoying the fantastic entertainment.

Sunday brought another full day of entertainment. I also had the chance to meet with representatives from our twin towns over dinner before heading back for the headline act and the fireworks off the pier. A perfect way to end the weekend.

Felixstowe Carnival is a free event, but it relies entirely on donations and sponsorship to keep going. If you enjoyed the weekend even half as much as I did, please consider supporting the committee so they can continue putting on this amazing event for our town.

Donate here: https://www.felixstowecarnival.org/donation-page/

Thank you again to everyone who made this weekend possible and to everyone who came out to celebrate Felixstowe. What a fantastic showcase of our community.

18/07/2026

So proud to have Dora Brown Charity as one of my charities this year.

15/07/2026

A few weeks ago, my charities said that I should take on a challenge this year to raise funds for Pitstop Dora Brown Charity and Brave Futures. Someone suggested that I do a tandem skydive, not one to turn down a challenge, I agreed and asked others to join me. So now there are 17 of us - friends, family, charity volunteers, local businesses, and sponsors jumping out of a plane on September 27th at Beccles Airfield.
Thanks to our incredible sponsors Infinity Container Logistics Ltd and Astral Global Logistics Limited, the money we raise will go directly to the amazing charities.
If you would like to support us and donate to our charities, please use the following link - https://www.justgiving.com/team/mayors-skydive2026

08/07/2026

Great to see the beach wheelchairs being used. There is a child and an adult one available to hire for free

Catriona says she and nine-year-old Leila can now fully enjoy being beside the seaside.