School children in Shrewsbury are being given the opportunity to experience mayoral life as part of a new initiative by Shrewsbury Town Council.
Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Tony Durnell, has kick-started his year in office by ringing in a number of changes in a bid to better engage with the youth of the town.
Local secondary schools have been invited to nominate pupils to join the Mayor and Mayoress in being civic leaders for the day.
Participating schools have each nominated two students who will get to look behind the scenes of one of the busiest Mayors in the County by accompanying the Mayor and Mayoress of Shrewsbury for an entire day as they go about their role, visiting community organisations, civic events and businesses.
Last week [JULY 1] was the turn of Belvedere School, and pupils Daniel Perkins and Katie Barnes-Smith, to follow in the mayoral footsteps of Councillor Durnell and his wife, Tricia.
The duo were first treated to a ride in the mayoral car, before arriving at the Town Council headquarters to meet their adult counterparts in the Mayor’s parlour.
Next was a visit to the Darwin Shopping Centre for a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, followed by a book launch at the Lion Hotel. Before being whisked back to school in the Mayoral car, Daniel and Katie enjoyed a buffet lunch back at the Mayor’s parlour.
Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Tony Durnell said: “We have invited 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.
“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.”
Two more mini civic leaders will experience a day in the life of the Mayor in September.
For further information contact Suzi Wilkinson, Marketing & Promotions Officer on: 01743 257654 or email suzi.wilkinson-stc@shropshire.gov.uk