In her first fortnightly column, Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake writes about a week in the life of a "masked mayor" to give you an insight into to how she balances her job as a teaching assistant, mayoral and council duties, as well as her home-life; all within 'new normal' of the pandemic.

One of the most exciting aspects I enjoy as a working Mayor is the variety each week brings. In my first article for Macclesfield Nub News I will reflect on my long week; beginning with chairing, my first, full council meeting as Mayor, ending with a bacon barm at the Green in the Corner community café in Hurdsfield, and everything in between.

Monday 28th September - Up at 6:30 to re-check the agenda and papers for the evening full council meeting, my first as Mayor of Macclesfield. Statements and emails sent to the Town Clerk, and off to my day job as a Teaching Assistant.

Following a full-on day, I'm home by 4pm for a quick shower and change into my Mayoral garb navy suit, chain, and matching slippers. To be fair at least I'm wearing the full suit and not my usual comfortable casual pants or PJ bottoms. I add the final touch to the outfit, a Macclesfield Town FC scarf.

My lovely wife has prepared a healthy wrap for tea, with an abundance of lettuce drizzled with lemon. After a quick run through the agenda, with the Town Clerk, we leave our Zoom connection running whilst we grab a bite to eat. Unconvinced the Mayoral garb and my teeth will survive the lettuce, I give up half-way, after all the meeting is going out on YouTube!

7pm on the dot we are live. I'm a bit nervous, but The Clerk and councillors are very supportive. We hear from representatives from the MTFC academy and supporters' trust. I'm proud members are wearing their scarves and shirts and although the Town Council can't bail out the club financially, councillors agree we cannot let the club go, even if it becomes a phoenix club.

Tuesday 29th September is an energetic day. Star jumps with Year 6 then, the usual running games with Year 1 in the afternoon. I'm hoping some of my lockdown weight will benefit from my breathlessness!

I rush home at 4pm for a quick change into the Mayoral suit and chain to deliver flowers and a goodie bag to one of our older residents, who celebrates her 99th birthday the following day. Unfortunately, I have to decline a cup of tea but promise to return next year with the school choir to sing Happy 100 Birthday.

The council usually hold a party for Older Persons' Day, but this year is different. Thanks to Chris Harrop of MHA and the Town Hall team, residents can celebrate at home with flowers, chocolates, and a newsletter to read. A visor with instructions is included to keep our elders safe.

Wednesday 30th September – The children are keeping me on my toes today with relay races and mile a day. It's my playground duty too! In the staff room we shudder from the biting, blustery wind, engrossed in the contents of our flasks.

No functions or meetings today, which is unusual. Throughout lockdown Town Councillors met weekly via Zoom. This kept me going with a weekly focus on ward issues and updates on the Covid-19 support response.

Thursday 1st October – I'm flagging today, the children encourage me to run a least part of the mile a day. I read books for Year 1 they agree on a choice for me to read for the virtual Welly Walk. At home I nap on the couch whilst my wife finishes her last hour of work.

After tea we record videos for the virtual Welly Walk on Saturday 10 October, which would usually take place in West Park. I hope the children enjoy the story and go out for a walk wearing their wellies of course!

After a quick change into something more formal we record a second video for World Mental Health Day on 9th October. I try and be myself and open up about my own experience of anxiety and depression, especially during lockdown. It's so important for people to talk about their worries even if it is to a stranger.

Please seek help if your worries are impacting on your ability to function day to day. There is so much support out there from talking therapies to charities such as the Samaritans.

Friday 2nd October – Weigh day and I've lost 1lb! It's Harvest Festival Day in school. Normally we would practise Harvest songs in the hall ready for the Harvest Service. Instead, we focus on art. I put tins in the stock cupboard and the sanitise tables.

After checking emails and social media, I relax for the evening. Normally, Friday nights would be a dinner for the Mayor's charities; instead, I will be holding a Made in Macclesfield charity auction of goods, services, or vouchers. So far, I have donations of silk pictures and Joy Division tee shirts. If you have anything to donate please email me [email protected]

Saturday 3rd October - Hurdsfield Ward surgery with Cllr Steve Carter at Hurdsfield Library.

We are both thrilled the Green in the Corner has re-opened which means we can buy a hot drink and a bacon barm! We meet one of our lovely residents and discuss the progress of planning applications.

I then show him the café garden in view of creating a cottage style garden to produce herbs and produce for the café. We're all excited about the project and hope it will be a therapeutic activity for all involved.

Sunday 4 October – Day of rest. A quick check of emails and social media, I contact the new PCSO to set up a meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour. Sunday dinner puts me over my allocation of calories today, but I'll make it up tomorrow in school. I reflect on my week, not the busiest so far but a productive one none-the-less.