Councillor John Beckett was officially recognised as the new Mayor of Epsom and Ewell for 2019-2020 at the Council's annual Mayor making ceremony held at the Town Hall on Tuesday 21 May.
Speaking at the annual Council meeting, the Mayor said, "Being elected as the first citizen for Epsom and Ewell is a great honour. I am looking forward to fulfilling my mayoral duties and meeting the numerous charities and organisations within the borough.
“My theme for the year is, ‘understanding'. We live in difficult times and we need to understand that everybody is different but we all have more in common then we think.”
For his mayoral year, the Mayor has selected the following organisations as his chosen charities:
The Mayor added, "We have already started to organise a number of fund raising events for my chosen charities and I do hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend to support and help raise much needed funds for these good causes. For more information please see www.mayorscharitiesepsom.org.uk”.
Councillor John Beckett has been serving the local community for the last sixteen years. He was first elected as a Borough Councillor in 2003 and served on many different Council committees including four years as Chairman of the Borough Council's Environment Committee.
He was born in Kingston upon Thames and grew up in Old Malden. John moved to Epsom in 1993 when he met Alison. They married in 1995 and subsequently moved to their home in Ewell. They have a daughter, Emily who is currently attending the University Of Surrey.
John began his working career in retail and specialised in the home computer market. He switched careers and joined British Telecom as a field engineer, where he progressed through several different divisions in a variety of roles. During his 22 years with the company, he decided to further his own education and undertook his professional qualifications in electrical engineering and business development. He also managed the company’s Modern Apprentices and Graduates schemes and the company’s computer training system. John currently runs his own property maintenance company, which he started in 2008.
The Mayor is the first citizen of the borough of Epsom and Ewell and has several specific roles during their one-year term of office. These include representing the Council and local community at formal and ceremonial occasions, both within the borough and elsewhere, and chairing full meetings of Council.
Councillor Humphrey Reynolds was elected as the Deputy Mayor.
Image: New Mayor for Epsom & Ewell 2019-2020, Councillor John Beckett.
Mayor’s charities:
Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) - The East Surrey Branch of the MNDA provides care and support to around 60 people living with MND throughout the East Surrey area, as well as helping to fund vital research into the disease itself. https://www.mndassociation.org/
Physical Handicapped and Abled Bodied (PHAB) - Epsom and Ewell Phab is a youth club for young disabled and non-disabled people, that is run entirely by volunteers. Their aim is 'Making More of Life Together'. https://epsom-phab-site.herokuapp.com/
Alzheimer’s Society - Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading dementia charity that provide information and support, improve care, fund research, and create lasting change for people affected by dementia. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
