New Mayor selected for Kettering

Town councillors in Kettering have elected a new Mayor for the coming year.

Cllr Emily Fedorowycz was selected to be the First Citizen of Kettering at the Annual Council meeting last night.

During the ancient Mayor Making ceremony, Cllr Fedorowycz was installed as Mayor and formally promised to carry out her duties to the best of her judgement and ability.

Kettering Town Council members voted for Cllr Fedorowycz, a Green Party member, to take on the office for the next year.

Councillors also voted Cllr Craig Skinner, a Conservative Party member, to become Deputy Mayor.

The town's historic mace and chains were used during the ceremony, along with the formal robes of office.

Cllr Emily Fedorowycz said: "I am really looking forward to my year as Mayor of Kettering and championing the town in any way I can. It is an honour and a privilege to hold the position of Mayor, and I am excited to work with and support the town's many amazing people, businesses and causes.

"I would like to thank the outgoing Mayor Cllr Keli Watts for all her support during my year as Deputy Mayor and welcome Cllr Craig Skinner as the Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

"I am also pleased to be able to support the Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) and Accommodation Concern as my chosen charities for the year, which each support some of the most vulnerable people in our town. MLSS provides much-needed meals to people living in poverty and Accommodation Concern supports the homeless and those needing housing support.

"I have lived in Kettering my whole life - I was in the Winchester form at Bishop Stopford, I grew up going to Wicksteed in the summer, riding the top rung of the Pirate Ship, rode in the Kettering carnival and sang my heart out in the Eisteddfod with the St Peter's choir. I truly love this town so much, and I know it has so much to give. It's the most wonderful thing to be given a whole year to try to showcase the wonders we have to offer.

"I'm also delighted to be the first Green Mayor of Kettering and the first with Ukrainian heritage. When I got elected I had a number of people with Eastern European background express how happy they were to see someone with my background and surname become a local councillor, and that they finally felt represented. This year I would like to make sure as many people feel represented as possible, and feel empowered, that in the future they too could be a councillor or Mayor or Kettering."

A new Mayor is elected every year at Kettering Town Council's Annual Council meeting in May and councillors also elect a Deputy Mayor at this time. The Mayor chairs meetings of full Council and is also the First Citizen of the town of Kettering.

Cllr Fedorowycz will be holding a Meet the Mayor event in Gold Street on Friday 26 May from 10am to 1pm where people can come and talk to her and even have a free slice of cake.

Cllr Fedorowycz will be available to attend and support events across the town. Enquiries to book the Mayor can be made to Emma Dezelu by emailing [email protected] or by going online: www.ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk/the-mayor