FROME’S new mayor cllr Richard Ackroyd and deputy mayor, cllr Mark Dorrington. were appointed at the Annual Town Meeting, held on Wednesday 23rd May.
Cllr Richard Ackroyd joined Frome Town Council on Thursday 7th May 2015, a memorable day in Frome Town Council’s history as it was the election that saw Independent councillors successful in winning all 17 seats in the town council elections, with the sitting Liberal Democrats and Conservative councillors all losing their seats. He now represents the College Ward.
Speaking to Frome Times new mayor of Frome, cllr Richard Ackroyd said, “It’s an absolute honour to be the mayor for a year. I love Frome and hope to do my very best to represent the town at events, functions and council meetings. Thank you to my fellow councillors for electing me and to departing mayor, Sheila Gore, for her excellent work this past 12 months – she will be a very hard act to follow. Thanks to Mark Dorrington for agreeing to be my deputy. Thanks also to my wife, Jacqui, for letting me take on the role.
“It’s all a bit new at the moment. Chairing the town meeting was quite tricky but we have excellent staff at Frome Town Council and I feel fully supported by them, so I’m sure things will work out okay.
“This year I want to support local groups and individuals by highlighting their efforts in whatever way I can. There are so many different charitable and social organisations and they all in their different ways do a super job. It’s great that there are so many residents with a ‘can do’ attitude in Frome. It would be good to hear from them.
“In particular, I will be doing some cycling things – like riding my bike all the way from Land’s End to John O’Groats, “The Longer Way”, in late August and early September to help raise money for Frome’s Missing Links.
“I am aiming to work with some of the schools and youth organisations on the theme of “friendship” and planning a ‘Design a Hat’ competition for the mayor and deputy as we’ve both reached a point where we need to protect our heads from the sun!
“Above all, I want to keep things positive and enjoyable. Frome is a fantastic town for so many reasons – we should all be very pleased to live in such a super part of the country.”
Newly-elected deputy mayor, cllr Mark Dorrington, who represents the Market Ward, only recently joined Frome Town Council after his election win in March this year.
He said, “I am delighted to have been chosen as deputy mayor. It has all come very quickly, but I am honoured that my colleagues on the council chose me and it reflects the context in which they see me and how the people see me too.
“I look forward to supporting Richard and acting on his behalf when he is away. I will look to use my year as deputy to build contacts with groups that are not already represented by the council and attending as many events as possible.
“I visited my first event on Saturday 26th May at the Frome RAFA’s celebration of 100 years of the RAF at Trinity Church which was special to me as I am an ex-Frome Sea Cadet. I also attended Frome’s carnival fun day and took part in the We Hear You rowing world record attempt.”
Pictured: New deputy mayor, cllr Mark Dorrington.