19 May 2015

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 NICK Hodges handed over the mayoral chain to his successor Cllr Dick Sweatman at last night’s Council meeting.

In his speech Nick said he had had a wonderful year in office, and one packed with highlights.

These had included meeting representatives of many of the town’s community groups, as well as town events which had included the visit by Princess Anne to unveil the statue of Sir Archibald McIndoe and the unveiling of the commemorative plaque in honour of Private Sidney Godley, as well as social events such as the Edwardian Picnic and the recent VE Day Street Party.

During his year in office Nick also travelled to be with the East Grinstead Concert Band who played at the Menin Gate to mark their 40th anniversary and the Centenary of WWI, and to our French twin town Bourge de Peage to mark twinning’s half-century.

And he paid tribute to his wife Lucy and their daughter ‘mayorette’ Olivia, who raised £100 towards his charities with a bake sale, and had put up with having “an embarrassing dad” with a smile.

Nick presented newly-retired Sarah Bunting and Wendy Mackenzie with bouquets for all the help they had given him in their roles as Mayor’s secretary, and gave cheques for £5,000 apiece to each of his chosen charities for the year – the Town Museum and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

The new Town Mayor is Cllr Dick Sweatman, whose deputy will be Cllr Bob Mainstone.

Dick’s chosen charities for his year as East Grinstead’s first citizen will be the East Grinstead branch of Age UK and East Grinstead Lions Club.