Change at the top for Thatcham Town Council
New mayor and leader appointed
IT’S all change at the top at Thatcham Town Council with a new mayor and leader appointed.
Ellen Crumly stepped into the civic role at the mayor making ceremony on Sunday, receiving the chain of office from the outgoing mayor Sheila Ellison.
A Conservative councillor, Mrs Crumly was elected to Thatcham Town Council last May and represents Thatcham Central. She is married to Richard Crumly (Con), who also represents Thatcham Central ward on West Berkshire Council as well as the town council.
Speaking on being made mayor, Mrs Crumly said: “I feel very honoured and privileged to be mayor of Thatcham.
“Thatcham is a town with a great community spirit.
“It will be interesting to visit lots of organisations and meet lots more people and generally find out if there are any problems that we can help out with.”
The mayor of Thatcham raises money for two chosen charities during the municipal year.
Mrs Crumly will be fundraising for the West Berkshire Community Hospital League of Friends. The group raises money for equipment that would not be otherwise available.
Mrs Crumly said she had chosen the charity to thank the hospital after Mr Crumly received excellent treatment at the hospital earlier this year.
Breast Cancer Care is also to benefit from the mayor’s fundraising, with Mrs Crumly saying that the charity’s good work needed no explanation.
The new mayor also announced plans for a litter picking campaign Get Thatcham Tidy. The campaign will work with a local youth group to help clean up the town and keep it tidy.
“My hope is that people can be more aware of the problem,” Mrs Crumly said. “The wardens do an excellent job but they clean it up and it comes back again. I think it’s about educating people.”
While one Crumly will become the face of the town council for the year, Mr Crumly announced at a meeting on Monday that he would be stepping down as leader of Thatcham Town Council.
Mr Crumly was made leader after the Conservatives won control of the council last May. But on Monday he said it was time for the old guard to step aside and allow new councillors to be seen.
Jason Collis (Con, Thatcham North), who was elected to the town council last year, was nominated to lead the council. Mr Crumly will serve as deputy leader, replacing Steve Ardagh-Walter (Con, Thatcham West).
Mr Collis said he would continue the good financial management of the council and to safeguard the services offered to the town as much as the town council was able to.
