FROME has a new Mayor, cllr Anita Collier, who was elected at the Town Council’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 20th May.
And she has already got stuck into getting Frome ‘back on its feet’ and paid tribute to the ‘amazing neighbourhood groups’ that have sprung up during the coronavirus crisis.
“I’m so excited at having been elected to be Frome’s next Mayor,” cllr Collier told Frome Times. “It’s something I’ve wanted since I was first elected in May of 2019.
“I will visit as many groups, charities, neighbourhoods and events as I possibly can, and would love to host some special Mayoral events, if all goes to plan.
“I’d like this to be a ’social’ year in every sense of the word. I’d like to encourage and build upon the camaraderie displayed by the amazing neighbourhood groups that have sprung up during the crisis.
“I’d like to inspire the town to host more street parties, and I’d love to run events in the park, and indoors too. I’d also like to support our businesses in the town to get back to full strength and to thrive as much as they can once restrictions are lifted.
“I’m very conscious of the many areas of depravation around the town, and I know there are many people struggling with their finances and with housing issues as a direct result of Covid-19. I intend to work closely with the working groups within the Council to help alleviate some of those issues, and I have also recently become a Director of Fair Housing for Frome, to become more closely involved.
“This organisation is doing some amazing work, along with many others in the town who are socially conscious. They have already helped to set up Frome Area Community Land Trust and the Tiny Homes project and have plenty more ideas in the pipeline, but homelessness is such a hidden issue, with many people relying on friends to provide a sofa, or struggling with rent issues that we need to have a better understanding of how people are affected, how many there are, and to find out more about how we can help.
“I’m going to fit in as much as I can during my term and hope to build on the community spirit that’s already so strong. I want to make myself as approachable as possible and would like to set up opportunities to meet up with anyone who’d like to chat or ask questions and will be maintaining the Mayor’s FaceBook page and probably do a few Tweets.
“I’m a communicator and a socialiser with a great zest for life and I love to meet people of all ages and interests. I’m really proud of this town and want to really engage and involve myself in as many aspects as possible.
“I have never been involved with any governmental organisation before joining Frome Town Council, and stood for election only because I was inspired by two lady Councillors who came to speak at an ‘Engaging Women’ event run by Rosie Elliott and Pippa Goldfinger.
“Pippa, and Sheila Gore (a current Councillor who re-stood last time, gave an insight into the workings of the Council and it left me wanting to know more. I was also drawn by the fact that Frome was then, and still is, run by a group of totally independent Councillors who leave party politics aside to focus solely on the town.
“Rosie’s words to me when I showed an enthusiasm for standing for election were, ”If you get in, go for Mayor, you’ll love it!” So here I am, having spent my first year as Deputy to the outgoing Mayor, Mark Dorrington, learning as much as I could along the way.
“I’m also looking forward to the prospect of working with Andy Wrintmore, as my Deputy this year, as we work our way through the lockdown towards helping Frome back on its feet.
“Throughout my life, I’ve never been far from engaging in social activities, whether it’s organising trips abroad, hosting charity parties or entertaining at home. That’s my comfort zone, and it’s something I’d like to continue throughout my year as Mayor.”
You can find out more about the new Mayor at the Town Council’s website: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/council/frome-town-council/mayor/
Frome’s new Deputy Mayor is Andy Wrintmore.
