Shrewsbury's new mayor sworn in
Shrewsbury's new mayor is looking forward to her year of office and will continue with the work her predecessor started.
Councillor Jane Mackenzie took up her role in Shrewsbury earlier this week.
And she said that while she humbled by the experience, she was looking forward to working with those set on helping the less fortunate in society.
The Coventry-born speech and language therapist was sworn in as the town's new mayor at the 'mayor making' ceremony held at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on Monday night, taking over the mantle from outgoing mayor Councillor Ioan Jones.
Councillor Mackenzie said her main aim as mayor is to celebrate diversity and to recognise that whilst people all have differences, more can be achieved by working co-operatively.
She said: “I wish to celebrate our differences and by breaking down barriers between communities this will help to build a tolerant, vibrant community here in Shrewsbury.”
She also outlined her fundraising plans for the year.
“I will be supporting a local charity this year and raising funds to support the work of Shropshire Recovery Partnership and Addaction to help raise awareness of a condition that affects people of all ages and social classes. Addaction helps people change their behaviour to become the very best that they can be and support people to make lasting changes in their lives,” she said.
Councillor Ms Mackenzie will now be officially sworn in at a civic service held at St Chad’s Church on Sunday.
The service will start at 10am and will be preceded by a parade from the castle to St Chad’s.
Following the church service the traditional 'Loving Cup' ceremony will take place at which the mayor will drink from the Loving Cup and toast the Queen and town.
With over 25 years experience working for the NHS, Councillor Mackenzie has travelled extensively, including the Middle East and Africa.
She became the honorary secretary of the National Labour Finance and Industry Group and brought together business leaders, ministers and senior civil servants, in order to develop government policy for the financial and business sector in England and Wales.
She was the England policy officer for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and worked in Westminster and Whitehall to raise awareness about communication disability. Whilst in this role she established an all party parliamentary group in speech and language difficulties, which is still active in the House of Commons.
Councillor Mackenzie recently retained her seat as a Labour councillor for the Bayston Hill, Sutton and Column ward – a post she has held since 2013.
