Welcome
to the Staff Section.
Mr John Allport: Sergeant at Mace for Beccles Town Council
John Allport has been the Sergeant at Mace since 2003. His job is
to carry out civic functions within the Council Chamber and to support
the Mayor during his/her year of office. Below is a short profile
written by John himself.
‘Beccles is just a stunning place to live. There is so much
of the very best on offer, and if you get involved in the interests
of the community you very quickly meet and make friends. Everyone
shows their appreciation for what you do.
My wife Sally and I moved to Beccles in 2000 (Millennium year) and
soon became involved with a super team of over 60 people on a project
to renovate, refurbish and extend the Beccles Rigbourne Hill Community
Centre. Raising over £340,000 (80% from within Suffolk coming
mostly from the generous people of Beccles) it was reopened in April
2007. Facilities available are for all ages and walks of life.
In December I was honoured to be invited to Buckingham Palace to
be invested by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the British
Empire ‘for services to the community in Beccles’. No
person is a stand-alone island in a community venture and I was,
and still am, purely a representative of many. The many groups and
organisations involved in the continuous expansion of running ventures
for the community and common good in Beccles all deserve recognition.
On the award day I proudly represented those good people and the
town and wore the Beccles Mace Bearer’s uniform as a tribute
to the Council.’
Mrs Bernie Broom: Town Clerk
I joined Beccles Town Council on 1st December 2003, working part
time as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer, having
worked all my life with accounts.
On 1st November 2006 I was promoted to Town Clerk which includes
the role of Responsible Financial Officer.
The new post has been very different from anything I have undertaken
before but I enjoy working with the Deputy Town Clerk and have also
gained the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) which
means the Council can now work towards Quality
Parish Status.
I was born in Leicester but have lived in Suffolk since 1968. I
am married with three children and four grandchildren. My eldest
daughter lives in Calgary, Canada, my youngest daughter in Oulton
Broad and my son, due to get married this year, near Beccles.
Mrs Jula Janney: Deputy Town Clerk
 I
was born and bred just up the road, in Lowestoft. I worked as Secretary
of a welding business based at Ellough Airfield before my marriage
in June 1973 after which I became a permanent resident of Beccles.
I also worked at Wm Clowes in the Production Planning Department.
I have worked for Beccles Town Council since 1987 when I started
as Secretary for 8 hours per week under the guidance of the then
Town Clerk, Fred Leah. I had been at home looking after my husband
and bringing up our three children for 12 years and was
extremely nervous, but soon got into the swing of things. As I had
worked in local government after leaving Lowestoft college, MAFF,
I thought it wouldn’t be too different, how wrong was I?
The workings of a town council are very different from anything
I have experienced before in my working life. Having 16 bosses (+
the Town Clerk) to work for and also dealing with the general public
was a real learning curve, but I have felt quite at home and have
made many, many friends and associates during the 20 years behind
my desk at the Town Hall!
I remarried in June 2006 and in November I was promoted to Deputy
Town Clerk. I undertook and passed the Certificate in Local Council
Administration (CiLCA) in March 2008 , which will mean that, through
this qualification, achieved also by the Town Clerk, Beccles can
look forward to becoming a Quality Parish Status council.
I have three children all living in Beccles, and 6 grandchildren,
all of which I am extremely proud.
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