New town mayor ‘proud and humbled’ at role
THE NEW mayor of Macclesfield has been elected for the year.
Alift Harewood-Jones has a long history in local councils since moving to Macclesfield more than 50 years ago to complete her midwifery training.
She became a Labour councillor on Macclesfield Borough Council in 2001 and with the exception of two years has represented the West Ward, now known as West and Ivy, and is now a councillor for Cheshire East. She has been deputy mayor for Macclesfield borough, the Charter Trustees and last year for Macclesfield Town Council, as well as mayor of Macclesfield for the Charter Trustees in 2012-13.
Coun Harewood-Jones, who will be supported by Coun Beverley Dooley as her deputy, is introducing two new features in her time as mayor.
The first is a mayor’s cadet for the first time - Emily Storer, who will carry out duties with the mayor through the year, and she wants to create a bigger celebration of St George’s Day involving various organisations.
She said: “I am very proud and humbled to have been elected. The town council has been good for Macclesfield since forming two years ago. Now we are all working together. My mantra is forward together. Macclesfield is becoming more and more multi cultural and it has enough to welcome those evolving cultures.”
Coun Harewood-Jones takes over the role from Coun Liz Durham, who has left her post after donating nearly £2,500 raised during the year to Park Lane Special School and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Coun Durham said: “Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to my charity fund.
“Being Mayor of Macclesfield was an exceptional experience. I met lots of wonderful people who work hard to make the lives of others better and it’s very gratifying to give something back.”