A smile spread across the face of Locks Heath ward Councillor Susan Bayford as she was installed as the new Mayor of Fareham at a special ceremony.
Park Gate Councillor Brian Bayford has a kiss for his wife Susan, the new Mayor of Fareham
The mayor thanked councillors while accepting her new title at the Mayor Making ceremony at Ferneham Hall and announced the three charities she would be supporting.
Having formerly served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) the mother-of-five will be raising funds for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities.
The Mayor, and her consort Councillor Brian Bayford of Park Gate ward, will also be fundraising for The Rainbow Centre in Fareham and Tradissar, which helps train disabled horse riders in at Crofton Manor Equestrian Centre.
“It feels amazing,” said the Mayor. “I’m privileged to be in this position. I’ve been the Mayoress but am now looking forward to being the Mayor. It’s a big responsibility but I’m looking forward to carrying out my responsibilities and carrying on after my predecessor.”
Mayor of Fareham Susan Bayford with her new Deputy Mayor David Norris
She has helped fundraise for around 14 years for The Rainbow Centre – which supports children with cerebral palsy and adults with diseases such as Parkinsons. After a number of years as a trustee, she has stepped down from that role recently to be made an ambassador.
Cllr Bayford said she was delighted to begin fundraising events for all three charities and already has a string of lunches, tea parties and dinner events arranged. She is particularly excited to raise cash for The Rainbow Centre, where she will have the Mayor’s Charity Launch Party on Sunday May 19.
She was announced the 40th mayor of the borough and has taken over the position from Cllr Dennis Steadman, who presented the Citizens of Honour Awards as his last act in the role.
Chairman of Titchfield Amateur Boxing Club, Ken Charman, was given the award for his outstanding work with the club since 1972 and for spearheading the improvement of the club’s facilities to become one of the best in south Hampshire.
He has also helped to raise more than £200,000 for charities for sick and disadvantaged children, disabled people and those terminally ill.
The Fareham Citizens of Honour at the Mayor Making ceremony
“I’m quite overwhelmed,” said the 84-year-old of Brook Lane, Warsash. “Working with the youngsters is such a joy. So I already feel like I’ve taken more out of boxing than I’ve given. To have the children express their confidence in you is rewarding in itself.
“I particularly do have a dream. We now have the facilities for disabled people and I do hope I live to see the time when they will be using our gymnasium in some sort of boxing practice and training. I hope that we in Titchfield can introduce that in the borough.”
Marjorie Wise, 84, from Portchester, was delighted to receive the award for 20 years voluntary work with Open Sight (HACB) and as chairman of its Portchester Club for the past 10 years. Despite being registered blind since 1993, she said she was glad to devote her support to others who have a sight loss.
Young Citizen of Honour, David Hawkins, 13, said he was excited by his award for caring for his parents Dave and Jemma, who both suffer with mental health problems.
Jemma, who is bi-polar, said she and her husband – who suffers with post traumatic stress disorder, depression and a psychotic disorder – believe David is a worthy and deserving award-winner.
“We’re extremely proud of him,” said the 32-year-old mother. “He’s a jack of all trades and helps with the housework, fetching the shopping and has even cooked dinner when we’ve been asleep because of our tablets.
“He’s become very caring, understanding and empathetic which is something I’m very proud of and something his school always tell us he is.”