by Roxanne Blakelock and Omar El Gamry Ceremonial mayors have been reflecting on their year in office as prospective candidates gear up to succeed them this week. Cllr Ralph Fox, Brent s current mayor, is likely to be replaced by deputy m
by Roxanne Blakelock and Omar El Gamry
Ceremonial mayors have been reflecting on their year in office as prospective candidates gear up to succeed them this week.
Cllr Ralph Fox, Brent's current mayor, is likely to be replaced by deputy mayor Jim O' Sullivan, Barnhill ward.
Cllr Fox has raised money for his mayoral charities, Age Concern Brent and BANG Edutainment in Harlesden which runs projects for young people.
Cllr Fox said: "I have met wonderful people and organisations. I want more respect and dignity for the elderly and for the young. I feel that as you get older it is harder to maintain your dignity and young people get a bad press despite all the fantastic things they are involved in.
"I loved visiting schools and seeing the excitement on the young kids' faces when I entered in my mayoral robes. I am very proud that Brent is the most multi-cultural borough in Europe. My time in office is something I'll always remember for the rest of my life."
Meanwhile Cllr Timothy Coleridge, a Conservative nominee, is set to replace Cllr Joanna Gardner, mayor of Kensington and Chelsea this Wednesday May 13.
Cllr Gardner selected the MS Trust as the Mayor's Charity after her older sister Sarah was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
She said: "Sarah was diagnosed with MS just before her 21st birthday, when I was doing my O levels. There was never any doubt about the charity I would support when I was mayor.
"I've thrown the parlour open and I've got schools to come in because I think if you get children involved from an early age you make them excited and involved for life."
The nominations to replace Andrew Johnson, Hammersmith and Fulham's mayor, will take place on Wednesday May 27.
Camden Council's nomination for its new mayor is the current deputy mayor, Cllr Omar Faruque Ansari (Liberal Democrat), who will take over from Cllr Nurul Islam (Labour).
Westminster's outgoing mayor is Cllr Louise Hyams, St James's Ward, whose chosen charity is 'for dementia'.
She will be replaced by Duncan Sandys, who is the great grandson of Winston Churchill.
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