At its Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 17 May, Waverley Borough Council appointed Cllr John Ward, who was previously the Deputy Mayor, as the new Mayor of Waverley.
He will hold the post for one year, attending a wide variety of engagements, acting as an ambassador for the council, chairing council meetings as well as raising funds for his nominated charities.
The Mayor said: “It is a privilege to have been elected. I am looking forward to undertaking this role and, with the support of my wife and Mayoress Gillian, doing whatever I can to help support our residents, local organisations and charities within this wonderful borough.”
He has chosen Jigsaw Trust and Creative Response as the charities he will be supporting during his tenure.
Councillor Ward said: “Jigsaw Trust was set up in 1999 and is based at Dunsfold Park in Cranleigh. The Trust manages Jigsaw CABAS School which supports 80 pupils (aged 4-19). Jigsaw’s vision is that autistic people should be enabled to live a life that gives them the opportunity to reach their potential, and I am pleased to be able to support them in their efforts during my year as Mayor.”
He added: “Creative Response helps approximately 75 adults every week at its Farnham centre. It's a small local charity offering arts-based workshops for those experiencing mental health, learning and physical difficulties. Creative Response’s endeavour to provide people with an outlet through artistic expression with professional artists is one I am passionate in supporting.
“As well as raising funds for Jigsaw Trust and Creative Response, I hope I can help raise awareness of autism and the benefits of the Arts in aiding people suffering with mental health issues.”
He said: “I’d like to raise as much money as I can for both of my nominated charities during my year as Mayor. I also plan to help other charities, good causes and appeals, as I want to do as much as I can to help support the people of Waverley.”
The Mayor has lived in Farnham for 23 years and was first elected as a councillor in 2007.
He added: “I would like to thank my outgoing colleague, John Robini who, despite the pandemic, has worked incredibly hard to fundraise and serve the local community.”
Councillor John Robini was Mayor from May 2021 and supported A Place To Be, Hydestile Resident Animals and Skillway in his year as Mayor which ended with him carrying out a ‘Labour of Love’ charity challenge at each of his chosen charities. To find out more and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/waverleymayor2021.
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