New Mayor for Hebden Royd Town Council
On Wednesday 22nd May, the Annual Meeting of Hebden Royd Town Council was held at Hebden Bridge Town Hall to establish the new Mayor for the period 2024-2025. The meeting saw Cllr. Pat Fraser take the chain with the role of Deputy Mayor being taken by Cllr. Keith Butterick.
Cllr. Fraser follows in the footsteps of retiring Mayor Cllr. Bernice Hayes, who presented Cllr. Fraser with the chain, before taking time to reflect on her busy year to an audience of over 50 guests. Cllr. Fraser's consort will be Anna Warwood with local consorts Ellen Fellowes and Cllr. Patsi Guilfoyle.
The retiring Mayor spoke of the diversity and variety of her Mayoral duties this year – from attending performances by St. Micheals Amateur Dramatics, a buffet at Walshaw Lodge with Lady Savile, judging and awarding prizes at the Vintage Car Weekend and Hebden's Happy Hounds to joining the Hebden Bridge Twinning Society on trips to Warstein and St. Pol-sur-Ternoise… and much more besides!
Cllr. Hayes chosen charitable cause for the year was local food hub Calder Food Support and she has supported events and activities over the year to raise funds for the cause including a film screening of the Wizard of Oz, a raffle with gifts generously donated by the Hebden Royd community, and the collection of donations at the Mayor's Civic Service and from Hebden's Happy Hounds.
During the meeting the retiring Mayor was delighted to present Calder Food Support with a cheque for £1378 which will go directly towards the charity and its operations.
Awards were also presented at the Annual Meeting of the Council. These included The Service to the Community Award, along with certificate and a gift given to Hebden Royd Postmasters Satnam Singh and Janet Brookes for their respective contributions to the community through the Post Offices of Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. In addition to The Service to the Community Award – Youth Section consisting of Shield, a certificate and gift was awarded to Hebden Bridge Junior Band who have been providing entertainment and musical education in Hebden Royd for 50 years.
Cllr. Fraser on accepting the Mayor's chain said it will be a privilege to serve the Hebden Royd community again for a second time, having held the role in the period 2017-2018, notably in the years following the devastating Boxing Day floods in 2015 that affected the whole community.
The incoming Mayor outlined her aspirations for the coming year, with a specific focus on grassroots and community initiatives as exemplified by her choice of Mayor's Charity for 2024/25, Hebden Bridge Saints Under 15's Girls Football Team. The Team hopes to grow the girls' game locally engaging the community in the benefits of the team sport.
Attendees were also privileged to listen to Hebden Bridge Junior Band perform both classical and contemporary pieces, welcoming three of their newest members for whom the performance was their very first.
On behalf of the Band, Steve Robson addressed the meeting to thank the Council alongside the wider community who have supported the group in recent years.
Following the music, drinks and refreshments were served in the Town Hall Café providing ample opportunity for attendees to reflect and celebrate the past year, and to network and re-connect with friends and colleagues.