Exciting times ahead, says new mayor Deirdre

The Conservative councillor was sworn in at the Mayor Making ceremony at the Town Hall on Monday.

Councillor Stuart Earl becomes Deputy Mayor.

Outgoing mayor Peter Fairhurst presented a cheque to his nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief, before nominations were made.

Nominating the new mayor, Cllr Bill Clements said: "I am quite sure you will make an excellent mayor, Deirdre, one that residents of Bexhill will greatly appreciate and remember." This was seconded by Cllr Joanne Gadd.

Cllr Williams explained what an important step this was for her, especially after a difficult year in which her husband had died.

"The past few months have been quite difficult. The support shown to me by my fellow councillors and everyone at the town hall and of course my friends and family has been incredible.

"I feel we are going through really exciting times in Bexhill. We have the De La Warr Pavilion refurbishment, Devonshire Square and my own personal project, the shelters on the seafront. I am really glad to be involved in it.

"I am going to have some good events in aid of my charity, The League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital.

"I would like to thank Peter and Valery Fairhurst for their year. I just hope I can keep up the high standard which they have achieved."

The League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital has been chosen for the Mayor's charity due to her close work with them in the Irvine Unit. She volunteers every other week to work in the shop.

Cllr Graham Gubby nominated retired baker Cllr Stuart Earl for the post of Deputy Mayor. This was seconded by Cllr Ron Dyason, who summed him up as "home made and home-baked."

Cllr Gubby said: "You can't get very far in this town without someone knowing him!

"Between them, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be a fine team and will take Bexhill from strength to strength."

Cllr Peter Fairhurst returned a vote of thanks and added a special thanks to his wife Valery. While she had attended events with him throughout the year, she was unable to be at the Mayor Making ceremony because she had suffered an injury while out walking.

"We have been a team; we have worked together.

"It has been a memorable year. Twelve months ago I was sitting up there looking forward to whatever the year would hold.

"I have a childhood memory of seeing our town mayor in Lancashire. He said 'Me and Mayoress, we'll do our best'. Well, we have done our best and I hope it was good enough.

"I have had an incredible year and it has been an honour and a privilege for us to be the 100th holders of that office."