Attending the Mayor Making ceremony

I was delighted to attend the Mayor Making ceremony at the Civic Centre and welcome Southend’s first independent Mayor Ron Woodley.

I’d like to thank the outgoing mayor Steve Habermel for all his terrific hard work and his amazing fundraising for charity throughout his term in office.

Mayor Woodley will serve with his wife Maureen and they’ve vowed to support two charities HarpSouthend tackling homelessness, and the Jude Harvey Foundation which aims to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths.

Nigel Foulkard was appointed deputy mayor along with his wife deputy Mayoress Marianne Folkard.

Special thanks must go to our out-going youth Member of Parliament Jocelyn Ayao aged 15 and our out-going Youth Mayor Thomas Bell who's also 15. You've both been absolutely terrific!

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