22 June 2023

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I’ve been asked to write a blog about my year as Town Mayor. I thought I would start by introducing myself!

Hi, my name is Frazer, and I have lived in East Grinstead all my life. I attended Chequer Mead and Sackville Schools, and at the age of 18, I started running my own family portrait studio on High Street. I’ve owned and operated Hamilton Studios for almost 25 years now, and I recently built a studio at home.

Last year, I started working at QVH as a Medical Photographer. It’s a privilege to work at such a world-renowned hospital with such inspiring staff.
I live in East Grinstead with my wife and three daughters. The youngest is in year 5, the middle one is halfway through her A-levels, and the eldest has just finished her first year at university.

I was first elected as a councillor in 2017 after the sad passing of Cllr Bob Mainstone. I love serving as a councillor and being able to serve our lovely town. After serving as Deputy Mayor last year, I was lucky enough to be re-elected this year, and on the 15th of May, I achieved a lifelong goal of becoming Mayor!

Becoming Mayor of East Grinstead is wonderful, exciting, and humbling! I’m so excited for the challenges that lie ahead of me. This year my Mayoral Charity is the QVH Charity helping children and adults who have suffered burns and trauma. I will be hosting several events throughout the year to raise funds for them.

I hit the ground running with an event in my first week—a STEM challenge at Ardingly between the senior schools in Mid Sussex, Sackville, and Imberhorne. It was a great success. I was also excited to open the new British Heart Foundation store on London Road. The new premises are lovely, and all their stock was from local donations!

June is looking even busier. Please pop back to catch up on more of what I get up to over the coming year.