1 June 2012

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

CLLR Liz Bennett is our new Town Mayor, with Cllr Margaret Belsey as her deputy.

Liz, who is also a District and County councillor, has lived in East Grinstead all her life and has “two beautiful daughters”.

She is very much involved with the town community and her charity work has included prison visiting, and volunteering for the hospital radio service at the QVH.

In her acceptance speech Liz said:

“I am very privileged and honoured to take up the role of Town Mayor in this, a very significant and momentous year for the town.

“In June we celebrate, the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. This is a once in a lifetime event and, I believe, a rare opportunity for the community as a whole to come together over the celebrations.

“I am also thrilled that East Grinstead has been chosen for the Olympic Torch to pass through on 17 July. This will be an historic occasion for the town and will attract large numbers of people which will give the local economy a welcome boost.

“So both the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Torch will make this year one to remember for all of us, and I will be proud and honoured to represent the town during the planned events to mark both of these landmark occasions.

“I have lived in this town for my entire life and have always been amazed by, and grateful to, the charities that work with, and give so generously to, others. This year I am pleased to be given the chance to give them all my support and learn more about each of them.

“As is the custom of the Town Mayor, I have chosen my own charity to support this year and it is one close to my heart. In 1995 I met the most remarkable young man. I was his teacher and he my student, in what was then known as Kingsway School, here in East Grinstead. What is noteworthy and remarkable about this, was that I taught a class of 12 to18-year-old mainstream students, amongst whom was this young man who had had a brain injury from birth and yet came to the school and was able to study and enjoy recreation with all the other students.

“Back then, this didn’t happen in education and was something of a pioneering exercise. This student made a big impression on me, with his strong determination to do well in his studies: and hearing his plans for the future with such excitement, I developed a strong respect for him and his family in their endeavours to help him succeed.

“This student of mine is now an adult and still just as remarkable, his name is Doran Scotson and he has cerebral palsy. His mother Linda, set up The Advance Centre in Station Road, here in East Grinstead.

“Linda set about extensive research and studied for a PhD working on the respiratory system and with Linda’s passion and determination to find a better way of living for her son and others like him, the Advance Centre has now helped families in East Grinstead and worldwide. Doran has also continued to achieve and has even run a Half Marathon. He is an inspiration to us all.

“So I have chosen The Advance Centre. To support and promote such amazing work, by such a dedicated team of people, is a great privilege for me and I would like to thank Linda now, for all the years she has been in the town, working to improve the lives of so many brain-injured children.

“Finally, as your Town Mayor for the coming year, I pledge to work hard to support you all in your aspirations for the town and the people who live and work here.”