New Mayor selected for Kettering

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

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

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

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

Cllr Skinner said: "I'm honoured to have been elected as the Mayor of Kettering, there is so much happening in the town, I look forward to getting out meeting residents and learning more about the great work taking place within our community.

"I'm delighted to be partnering with Kettering Mind as my Mayoral charity for the year, and I will be highlighting the great support on offer throughout my time as Mayor.

"As a Royal Air Force veteran, I am particularly looking forward to championing and raising the profile of veterans' services locally as well as working with the next generation through the Mayoral cadet scheme.

"I would like to thank the outgoing Mayor Cllr Emily Fedorowycz for all her support during my time as Deputy Mayor and welcome Cllr Alexander Evelyn as the Deputy Mayor for the coming year."

Working with Cllr Skinner for the year will be his Mayoral Cadet, 16-year-old Cpl Matilda Field from the 1101 (Kettering & District) Squadron Air Cadets. This is a first for the town council, resurrecting an older tradition of appointing a young person to accompany the Mayor on official engagements.

Cpl Field said: "It is with great honour that I have been selected to not only represent 1101 (Kettering & District) Squadron, but for all cadets in Kettering as the first Mayor's Cadet for a number of years. I look forward to joining the new Mayor, Cllr Skinner, at various events through the next twelve months and to take the opportunity to promote what the cadet forces can offer."

Cllr Skinner has selected Kettering Mind to be his chosen charity for the year, with all fundraising going to support the service.

Councillors also voted Cllr Alexander Evelyn, 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.

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 the full Council and is also the First Citizen of the town of Kettering.

Cllr Skinner 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]