New mayor for Cheltenham

The annual inauguration of the mayor will be held at Cheltenham Town Hall at 6.30 pm on Monday 13 May and members of the public are welcome to attend. Councillor Roger Whyborn will step into his predecessor, Councillor Bernard Fisher’s, shoes and Councillor Sandra Holliday will be made deputy mayor at the ceremony

The mayor chairs the council and represents the borough at many local business and charity events throughout the year. This year, the new mayor has decided to focus his fundraising efforts towards: Cruse Bereavement Care (Gloucestershire) and St Margaret’s Hall.

Cruse Bereavement Care (Gloucestershire) is part of a national charity for bereaved people and offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults.

St Margaret’s Hall is a community hall in Hatherley run entirely by a self-help group of volunteers. Activities are diverse, ranging from dog training, model railway exhibitions, a full range of fitness, dance, and slimming groups, as well as occasional social evenings run by the hall committee.

To kick start the fundraising for these charities, the mayor is holding a quiz night at St Margaret’s Hall on Friday 14 June 2019 from 7pm.  Information and tickets are available on 01242 695387 (Pam) or 01242 373146 (Clive).

Councillor Roger Whyborn, said: “I am looking forward to representing and showcasing our beautiful town this year as Mayor, meeting people from all walks of life. I will do all I can to support local communities and our wonderful volunteer sector who do such valued work in the borough.

 “My two chosen charities are very worthwhile and much needed in our community and I hope to raise as much as I can on their behalf.”

At the ceremony, GCHQ will be awarded Freedom of the Borough* for its centenary year, in recognition of its contributions to the community and invaluable influence to the life of the town as an example for all organisations. 

The Chamber of Commerce sponsored Medal of Honour recipient for 2019 is Enid Attenborough, 81, for her tireless voluntary work with Cheltenham Open Door and the Cobalt Unit.

Ms Attenborough helped to start Cheltenham Open Door as a charity in 1992 and has run the Sunday breakfast and lunch service there for 26 years. Since 1999 she has also raised funds for the Cobalt Unit by organising and running Christmas card sales.

Anyone is welcome to attend annual inauguration of the mayor. Admission is free but by ticket only. To apply for tickets, please contact Jennie Ingram on 01242 264108 or [email protected]

For media enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications and web team leader, telephone 01242 264231 or email [email protected]

All media are welcome to attend the event.

Notes:

*Freedom of the Borough

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that the council can bestow. A resolution is passed at a specially convened meeting to admit the Freedom of the Borough, with a special ceremony which follows.

It is a power that is very rarely used and is normally only awarded to local people who have in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the borough.

The award of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough does not convey with it any legal rights or responsibilities, other than a ceremonial role at civic functions. The award dates back to the middle ages when Freemen had commercial privileges and a route into a position of power in a town or city.