Bourne has grown on town clerk Nelly
After watching her native Switzerland lose in the group stage of football's European Championships, which her own country is hosting, Bourne Town Clerk Nelly Jacobs can once again focus on Bourne.
Nelly (55) has spent 22 years in her adopted town with her husband. She has three children, three grandchildren and says: "I never thought that we would stay here this long, but Bourne has a tendency to grow on you."
Had you always been interested in local government before becoming Bourne Town Clerk?
No, not really. In previous jobs I was occasionally dealing with the different tiers of local government for various reasons but my understanding of how local government worked was limited.
Few members of the public attend council meetings. How do you think people could be encouraged to take an interest in local government?
People are either interested in the issues to be discussed or they are not. In recent years the council has tried to encourage people by inviting them to attend meetings and participate in forums. Maybe if individual councillors were to hold regular surgeries or hold informal talks/meetings with the general public and in schools that might raise the awareness/interest.
What would most surprise people about the town council?
That Bourne Town Council members have voted against paying themselves an attendance allowance.
In your view, what has been the most significant achievement in recent years?
I don't think that there has been one thing in particular, but the council's involvement in a number of issues have brought good results for the community, like: Involvement in the preparation of the household waste recycling site; re-opening and managing the South Street toilets; co-ordinating Bourne's entries in the East Midlands in Bloom competition and winning a Silver Award two years running; involvement at the early stages of the Stamford and Bourne Community Car Scheme; winning a national award for the cemetery on two occasions and successful input in consultation processes from various agencies.
What do you enjoy most about the town?
I really like the friendliness of the people and the support that I receive from various individuals and groups.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy biking, walking and gardening. I also enjoy visiting friends and family in the UK and abroad.
What's the last piece of music you listened to?
Katy Meluha's There are nine million Bicycles in Bejing.
If you could invite four people from history to a meal, who would you choose?
The following could be a very interesting and entertaining mix of characters: Jonathan Ross, Princess Diana, Jacky Kennedy/Onassis and Gordon Ramsay.
And finally, here is your chance to "sell" the town. How would you describe Bourne in a dozen words?
Bourne is a friendly, scenic and historical town with low crime rate and excellent education.
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Weather for Bourne
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
