An Unforgettable Civic Evening at the Carnegie Room – 20th June

On Thursday, 20th June, I had the honour and privilege of hosting my Mayor’s Civic Event at the beautiful and historic Carnegie Room in Thetford. It was an evening I will never forget, filled with warmth, laughter, meaningful conversations, and a true sense of civic unity.

As guests arrived, the room quickly came alive with energy and connection. We were joined by a truly inspiring group of leaders from across Norfolk, Suffolk, and beyond, individuals who serve their communities with dedication and heart. I was deeply proud to welcome the Mayor of Dereham, Ray O’Callaghan, and Mayoress Paula, the Mayor of Wymondham, David Roberts, and his wife, as well as mayors from Downham Market (Cllr Michael Lane), Haverhill (Cllr Quinn Cox), Diss (Cllr Declan Craggs) and Watton (Cllr Gillian Turrant and guest). Their presence brought immense pride to the evening.

We were also honoured to welcome respected representatives from Fenland District Council, including Cllr Brenda Barber and her husband Tony Barber, as well as Cllr Phil Wittam, Chair of West Suffolk Council, whose support and contributions were deeply appreciated.

Representing Breckland District Council, we were joined by Cllr Chris Harvey and Tel, Cllr Stuart Wright and Denise Wright, and Cllr Mike Brindle and Corinne, all of whom have made valuable impacts locally and were warmly welcomed.

The evening was beautifully enhanced by the outstanding musical performances of Charlie Frances Wilson and Sam Trayton, whose renditions of timeless classics created the perfect ambiance. Their music brought so much joy to the room, with many guests tapping their feet or singing along quietly. They added a soulful, elegant touch that helped make the atmosphere truly magical.

It was also an honour to be joined by community champions and education partners who make such a difference in our lives every day. I was so pleased to welcome Vicky Macleod from Drake School, Amanda from Thetford Grammar School, and Mark Ereira-Guyer from Civil Society Consulting, as well as valued community members like Corinne Fulford, Simon Skull, Wendy Raphael and guest, Sonia Rola and Levent Hasan, Pat and Pat Pearson, Jennifer Bullock, Paul and Marie Norris, Jo Pearson and guest, Tim Lovejoy and guest, Mick Piggott and guest, Karen-Emma White, and Oliver Bone and Melissa.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the staff at Thetford Town Council, who went far beyond their expected duties to support me in creating an evening that was not only organised and polished, but heartfelt and personal. From setup to final touches, their dedication and care made everything feel effortless and truly special. I could not have done it without them.

To capture the evening, we were fortunate to have the incredibly talented Anna Levina as our professional photographer. Her eye for detail, her unobtrusive presence, and the beauty of her work were second to none. I highly recommend Anna for anyone looking to document a special event, she is simply outstanding.

Photos from the event are attached below, and I hope they reflect even a fraction of the love and warmth that filled the room that night.

As Mayor, it was an immense privilege to bring together so many passionate and committed individuals who work tirelessly to support and uplift their communities. Thank you to each and every one of you who attended, supported, or contributed to making the evening such a success. Your presence meant the world to me.

With heartfelt thanks,

Carla Barreto

Mayor of Thetford