Councillor John Beckett was officially recognized as the new Mayor of Epsom and Ewell for 2019-20 Tuesday (May 21).

The appointment took place at the annual Mayor-making ceremony for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC), held at the Town Hall on Tuesday.

Cllr Beckett was born in Kingston and grew up in Old Malden. He moved to Epsom in 1993 when he met his wife Alison.

Epsom's new mayor was first elected as a Borough Councillor in 2003 and served on several Council committees including four years as Chairman of the Borough Council's Environment Committee.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr Beckett said that promoting "understanding" in the borough would be a central feature of his tenure.

"My theme for the year is, ‘understanding'. We live in difficult times and we need to understand that everybody is different but we all have more in common then we think," the mayor said.

Cllr Beckett also announced his chosen charities for the year:

  • Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) - The East Surrey Branch of the MNDA provides care and support to around 60 people living with MND throughout the East Surrey area.
  • Physical Handicapped and Able Bodied (PHAB) - Epsom and Ewell Phab is a youth club for young disabled and non-disabled people run entirely by volunteers..
  • Alzheimer’s Society - Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading dementia charity that provide information and support, improve care, fund research, and create lasting change for people affected by dementia.

The mayor said that planning for fundraising events for these chosen charities was already underway.

"We have already started to organise a number of fund raising events for my chosen charities and I do hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend to support and help raise much needed funds for these good causes."

Meanwhile, Councillor Humphrey Reynolds was elected as the Deputy Mayor.

For more information on the mayor's chosen charities go to: www.mayorscharitiesepsom.org.uk