As his mayoral term comes to an end, Alderman Graham Warke recalled the fond memories he will cherish from his year as first citizen of the city.
Taking over his mayoral duties whilst the city and elsewhere was coming out of COVID-19 restrictions was a challenge.
However, Alderman Warke ensured that major events were held safely and effectively, making the return to Derry Halloween and Christmas a huge success.
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MyDerry spoke to Alderman Warke as he approached the final two weeks of his time as Mayor of the city and district.
When asked how he felt about approaching the end of his term, he said: "Honestly, gutted. I have had a journey and I've been very honoured.
"There’s not many people who become the mayor and I’ve had the honour to do that and I've done my best.
"I will miss it but at least I can sit back and look back at what I’ve done over the term and I’ll have no regrets, I’ve done my best for the city and district."
Alderman Warke kept his Mayoral charity, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, at the heart of his operations.
He said: "What we tried to do is get the kids here to obviously recognise the work of Foyle Down Syndrome, I'm still not finished my fundraising I have a new target in my head. Every time I reach it I get a new one and I know the money will be very well spent.
"As my term comes to an end it is not finished with the kids and that is for all of the disability groups in the city. I've been trying to support them all, with groups coming as far as the Causeway Coast which is great to see.
Involvement in community projects across the city and district has been a huge part of Alderman Warke's role as mayor.
He said: "It means the world. Obviously growing up with community work all my life I know how hard and challenging it is.
"I'm so proud to be around every corner of this city and every community in this city and from Strabane and throughout the district.
"It has opened my eyes and it has been a learning curve for me. It has made me love this place even more.
"I found early on what I could do is make a happy memory for a young person, we can get the mayoral chain around their neck and make their day and give them something they won't forget about.
"What I'm hoping is that out of the hundreds of young people who have had this chain on, one of them might be a mayor some day and they'll do the same as me."
One of the most special moments of Alderman Warke's time as mayor was hosting a reception to celebrate 50 years of community work led by his mother Jeanette.
He said: "What I'm doing now as mayor is how I was raised, she's been a rock throughout my life. She gave me the vision of what the city should be.
"It was so important to recognise my mum. There was a lovely crowd of people throughout the city, the two Bishops and her friends and family and it was to recognise her, not only as a son but as a mayor."
MyDerry spoke to Alderman Warke at the beginning of his mayoral term. One thing he wanted to push was the city as a tourism destination.
When he asked what has pushed tourism in the city, he said: " Derry Girls. There are coaches here from America.
"Derry's walls are packed with tourists every day, the good thing about it is they are starting to stay and that is what we need here. This beautiful city is at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way and the North Coast. It is such a beautiful place.
"In the next 5 to 10 years the potential is humongous here and it is an absolutely amazing place to live."
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