New Mayor for Cheshire East

Councillor Hilda Gaddum was sworn in yesterday at a civic ceremony in the Tenants' Hall at Tatton Park.

She is the seventh Mayor since the borough came into being in 2009.

Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald, the outgoing Mayor, handed over the ceremonial red robe and mayoral chain at the council's annual meeting.

A former Macclesfield Borough councillor, Councillor Gaddum has been a Cheshire East councillor for the Sutton ward since the Borough's inception. She has appointed her daughter-in-law Jane as Mayoress.

Councillor Gaddum said: "I am absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to become the first citizen of Cheshire East and look forward to representing the borough and our residents at the many functions and events that will be taking place in the coming year.

"Cheshire East is a wonderful place in which to live and it is an enormous privilege to be invited to serve as the borough's new Mayor."

Proposed by Councillor Jamie Macrae (Mobberley), the new Mayor was the first chairman of the Strategic Planning Board and later Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services.

Councillor Gaddum is also a Council representative on the board of governors of the King's School, Macclesfield and has held the Borough's seat on the Peak District National Park Authority.

After taking the oath of office and signing the declaration of acceptance, she presented Councillor Fitzgerald with the past Mayor's medal then went on to chair her first meeting of the Council, at which the new cabinet and portfolio holders were announced following the May 7th elections.

She also paid tribute to Councillor Fitzgerald for his outstanding service to the borough during his period of office.

Councillor Olivia Hunter (High Legh) was sworn in as Deputy Mayor.

Tributes were paid to her and Councillor Fitzgerald by the Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Michael Jones, and other members of the Council.

Councillor Gaddum was born in Sunderland, the daughter of a clergyman, and has been a poppy seller for 40 years. Her parents moved to Disley, where she met her late husband Anthony, a well-known Macclesfield silk merchant.

Her three grown-up sons were present at today's mayor-making ceremony at Tatton together with their families.

The Mayor's charities during her year of office will be Carers Trust 4all (formerly Crossroads) and the East Cheshire Hospice.

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