Many messages of unity as mayoral chains passed on
Bill Cawley promises a ‘positive’ year as he takes over office from Lyn
LEEK has a new mayor. Councillor Bill Cawley was elected to take up the role for the forthcoming year, replacing Councillor Lyn Swindlehurst.
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst was elected deputy mayor.
On accepting the office, Councillor Cawley said: “I intend to be a Leek Mayor known by a word beginning with the word ‘P.’ That word is positive.
“Of course, I will not be the first Leek Mayor who will see their year in office as a means to promote the town and also to use their time productively (two other words beginning with P).
“There have been many town mayors since the 1970s who have been positive. Steve Povey, Robert Plant, Keith Harrison, Margaret Lovatt, Rebecca Done, Roy Tomkinson and John Fisher – all come to mind as positive mayors.
“And of course, there are people sitting before me in this chamber, Ben, Brian, Pam, Stephen and Sue, who over the years have done their bit as Mayors to burnish Leek’s reputation, both within the community and wider afield.
“I have a difficult act to follow in Lyn, who has been a star whose light will help me on my way. I am sure Matt will be a great helmsman, along with our esteemed town crier Bill Lomas.
“Mayors on coming into office have a theme. So will I. My theme will be celebrating Leek’s diversity.
“This year sees a number of milestones for me. It is 25 years since I was elected as Leek South County Councillor.
“It is 50 years since I took my first job in Leek as a trainee lineman for GEC at the Telephone Exchange in Strangman Street. I was a lineman for the county!
“Since then we have seen many signs of how Leek has changed and that people of different backgrounds and perspectives being made welcome in the ‘Queen of Moorlands’ –and long may that continue to be the case.
“The two charities I will support will be Beatrice Narrow Boat, which offers trips to children with special needs, and Jessies Fund which helps children with complex needs to communicate through music.
“I am reminded of a quote from a hero of mine who wanted to put aside differences after a time of division and pain.
“We need to restore, as Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘the better angels of our nature,’ to tackle the problems that we face and restore to civil society reasonableness, a moral sense of what is right and understanding of the other.”
In her retiring speech, Councillor Swindlehurst said: “As my time as Mayor concludes I intend to focus on the positive elements of my role. In Leek we have enthusiasm, collaboration and caring in abundance, and I have witnessed that first hand in liaison with special local people, children, businesses, markets, and organisations, all with special memories I will treasure forever.
“I have to thank so very many wonderful people. Colleagues, past and present, very many friends who have listened when I needed it and advised wisely. Those true friends have helped me raise awareness of, and contributions to, my two charities, Borderland Voices and Family Action.
“Many of us have enjoyed memorable times together having fun and celebrating the value of what we have in Leek, a sense of community, friendship, and family. Special moments this year are plentiful, welcome back events, meeting significant individuals in our town, working collaboratively with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to make our town a welcoming place.
“The other Mayors and dignitaries have been great supporters, we have laughed and collaborated through the year and I hope I have represented Leek with enthusiasm both here at home and in our twin town, Este.
“I realised the dignity and respect Mayors are shown in towns here and abroad, I was made to feel so very special in Este by their dignitaries, who treated Councillor Pam Wood and myself and our husbands with such affection and welcome that has obviously been earned by those involved in twinning over the years.
“Having received the Mayoral allowance I was mindful that this should be spent wisely and with local businesses in mind.
“I used The Maude institute and the Foxlowe as examples of the history of our town and also the commitment to locality, entrepreneurship and the community.
“I wanted civic visitors to see what is special about Leek.
“This council has a great deal to celebrate and offer to the community.
“We have recently added a forward planning meeting to our agenda where we can informally bring forward ideas for discussion and either move these forward to council for agreement or agree they may not work.
“Having said goodbye and thank you to our lengthsman, Tony, our clerk Julie and her assistant Lauren, we are about to welcome our new clerk, Denise Wheate to our team.
“I know she will be a welcomed and valued addition. Only by working together for the good of the town collaboratively are we doing our job.
“Lastly I want to thank my family who have, I know, been worried about me in the last year but have supported me with love and stepped back when I wanted to manage alone.
“After 30-odd years Matt knows me best and respects my right to deal with things myself even when it’s been difficult to sit back.
“He’s my best friend and a caring and hard working and loyal colleague.
“I wish the new Mayor and deputy a fulfilling year making the role your own. Enjoy it, both of you.”
Accepting the office of deputy mayor, Councillor Matt Swindlehurst said: “I want to thank councillors for voting me in as deputy mayor.
“As a council we have called on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to work with us in a collegiate and open manner for the good of Leek.
“We need to build on strong working relationships across the chamber that serves Leek’s many communities.
“Putting public interest before personal agenda and working as a council of which we can all be proud.”