The Mayor of Shrewsbury has kick-started his year in office by appointing two equerries.
Councillor Tony Durnell has selected Air Cadets, Holly Brown and Craig Bellis, both 18-years-old, for the role after being highly impressed with the youngsters on a recent visit to Shrewsbury’s twinned town of Zutphen.
The role will see the cadets, from the 1119 Squadron based in Shrewsbury, attend official civic events with the Mayor and Mayoress for the coming year.
Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Tony Durnell said: “Both Holly and Craig are a credit to 1119 Squadron, and all young people. They are always courteous and well turned out, they impress people of all ages wherever we go. I also hope that seeing these young equerries attending civic functions will be a catalyst for many other young people to consider joining the Air Cadets, Scouts or Guides.”
Appointing official mayoral equerries is just one of a number of initiatives Councillor Durnell intends to implement during his year of office. “We have invited all of the secondary schools in Shrewsbury to elect a ‘mini’ Mayor and Mayoress from their Year 8/9 age group to experience a day in the life of the Mayor,” said Councillor Durnell.
“This will form part of their Democracy week in October. Mini Mayors and Mayoresses will be joining us throughout the summer and autumn terms. Hopefully then we will be able to visit the schools during Democracy week to see what effect their experience has had.”
As well as getting involved with local schools, Councillor Durnell will also be getting locked up for charity.
The Mayor of Shrewsbury will be shut up in a police custody suite for a set period of time to raise funds for the Mayoral Grants scheme and the Police Community Fund.
How long he is detained will depend on how much money is raised.
“If I can raise more than £1,000 for this I will stay in for 24 hours,” he said.
Councillor Durnell is also planning informal ‘pizza, pop and opinion’ sessions with the young people of Shrewsbury.
“These are informal chats where we can listen to what the young people of Shrewsbury would like for the town,” he said.
“This will help us as a council to plan for the future with their needs and issues foremost in our minds.”
Further details of all schemes will be released as soon as they have been confirmed.
For further information contact Suzi Wilkinson, Marketing & Promotions Officer on: 01743 257654 or email suzi.wilkinson-stc@shropshire.gov.uk