COUNCILLOR Sheila Gore was elected Frome’s new mayor at the annual town council meeting last month, and for the second time for Frome, will be aided by two deputy mayors – cllr Tim O’Connor and cllr Nick White.
The mayor and deputy mayors are all members of Independents for Frome, who have a unique position of holding all the town council seats; cllr Gore was elected in the Innox ward, cllr O’Connor in the Market ward and cllr White in the College ward.
Cllr Gore moved to Frome from Bath in 1997 having bought the local business, Frome Wholefoods.
The new mayor said, “I’m really looking forward to the year ahead, some of it feels scary, but I’m practising changing scary to exciting.
“I haven’t set out a goal or priority as of yet but I’m sure the great organisations in and around Frome that i get to meet and work with over the year will show me what I should focus on.”
New deputy mayor, cllr White said, “I was born in Frome and have lived here all my life. I was mayor the first year that IFFs gained control of the town council in 2011. It was a great honour and privilege to be mayor of my home town. A lot of work and commitment is required to do the job properly, but it is extremely rewarding. Your eyes are opened to a myriad of different things and activities that go on in the town that you didn’t even know existed.
“I look forward to the year ahead and helping out our mayor Shelia in any way required, apart from judging the beautiful baby contest which is a poisoned chalice for any politician!
“I would like to see our plans for the remodelling of the town centre come to fruition, which will make it much more attractive and user-friendly. Also, Saxonvale to be developed in a way that recognises that it is the last opportunity to develop the town centre with a range of retail, entertainment, leisure, education, hotel and commercial opportunities that a growing town needs and definitely not given up to just yet more housing.
“Finally I would like to see the Jenson Button bridge converted into a road bridge to give us the opportunity to run buses around the back of the town centre.”
Co-deputy mayor cllr O’Connor said, “I have lived in Frome for 12 years and been a councillor for two.
“As ever, I am looking forward to the year ahead, but now with a little additional ‘deputy mayor’ spring in my step.
“I’m happy to support our mayor Sheila in her role wherever or whenever I can, and I’ll take my lead from her. It’s a demanding role, so both Nick White and myself are there with our total support. So I would say to Frome, we’re available, so just let the town hall know what event you want us to attend.
“One of my priorities in my role is to make people smile. I’m looking forward to meeting people in town who I haven’t crossed paths with yet.
“I’ve been asked back to judge the Carnival Baby Competition in Victoria Park again this year, which is a great event and lots of fun. Also an invite to visit the Mayor of Glastonbury soon and a folk dancing invitation with the Mayor of Wells. Anyone watching my folk dancing will definitely leave with a smile!”
