Conservative councillor Jan Fuller was elected the new Mayor of Elmbridge at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday May 20.
A long serving councillor and former cabinet member for leisure, she was proposed as mayor by Councillor Dorothy Mitchell, for Cobham and Downside, who advised her: "Always take the office of mayor seriously but never take yourself too seriously."
After officially donning the mayoral robes and taking her seat at the head of the council, Councillor Fuller, declared that as she represents the two villages of Oxshott and Stoke d'Abernon it would be appropriate to break convention and have two mayoral chaplains rather than one, with the reverends Jeremy Cresswell from St Andrews, Oxshott, and Godfrey Hilliard from St Marys, Stoke d’Abernon filling the roles.
Jan, who will be assisted for the year ahead by her husband Mr John Caton, told the gathered audience of councillors and the public she was "immensely proud to have been chosen represent the borough of Elmbridge" and promised to continue the high standard set by previous mayors.
Esher & Walton Conservative Association knows first hand Jan's dedication and capacity to achieve any goal she sets and has no doubt she will make a fine mayor.
Jan's Mayoral Charity will be SPARKS which raises money to fund pioneering children’s medical research.
She told the meeting: "I have given a great deal of thought to choosing my Mayoral Charity. There are so many worthy charities that choosing one is always difficult.
"However, as many will know, I am a very proud 'Nan Jan' to four small happy and healthy grandchildren. Sadly, for many, life is not so easy. One in 30 children is born in the UK with a condition which may affect them for life.
"SPARKS supports clinicians and scientists to fund cures and treatment for them. Every child matters – that is why SPARKS supports research into any medical condition affecting children’s health from rare diseases to the most common illnesses. I will be working very hard to raise as much as possible during my Mayoral year and I do hope you will support me."
Weston Green councillor Tannia Shipley took on the role of deputy mayor and Cllr Fuller declared they will make a great team.
Jan extended the thanks and congratulations of the borough to the outgoing mayor Councillor Barry Fairbank and his wife Jill who had raised £26,500 for Home Start Elmbridge during his mayoral year.
Cllr Fuller's Mayoral events, confirmed so far are as follows:
- Civic Service at St Marys Stoke Sunday 28th June
- Raceday at Sandown Thursday 23rd July (Pantomime horse)
- Concert at Danes Hill Thursday 29th October
- Carol Service at St Andrews Sunday 20th December
- MENS LUNCH at Parkside Friday 19th February
- Charity Ball Saturday 12th March
- Charity Golf Day tbc