Tuesday, May 23 2023
For immediate release
New Mayor of Charnwood sworn in for 2023-24
The new Mayor of Charnwood has been sworn in following the Council’s Annual Meeting on Monday, May 22.
Cllr Margaret Smidowicz says she is looking forward to representing Charnwood after being voted in as the borough’s first citizen at Loughborough Town Hall.
Cllr Smidowicz will be representing the borough at hundreds of events over the next year and will be supported by her consort, son-in-law, Timothy Baum.
The Mayor said: “This is an immensely proud moment for both myself and my family and I look forward to representing Charnwood as the 50th Mayor as we go into the first year of the Carolean era.”
“Charnwood is a fantastic place and it will be great to meet lots of different people and to see the good work that they do in our community.”
The Mayor’s chosen charities for her Mayoral year are Men & Women in Sheds and Head & Neck Cancer Awareness, The Swallows and Cancer Self Help Group, Loughborough.
Cllr Smidowicz came to Loughborough over 50 years ago after living across America with her husband Frank who was part of the Navy.
Upon Frank leaving the Navy, the couple, along with their three children moved to the town with Cllr Smidowicz resuming her education at Loughborough College and acquiring her Masters at Nottingham Trent University.
Following acquiring her degree, the new Mayor of Charnwood has worked in various roles including being a lecturer at the Open University, a justice of the peace for 23 years and a Governor at both De-Lisle School and Ratcliffe College.
In her spare time, Cllr Smidowicz enjoys gardening, films and tai chi. She has been a borough councillor since 2011.
The appointment of Cllr Smidowicz sees the end of the Mayoral year for Cllr Jennifer Tillotson.
Cllr Tillotson, said: “It has been a great honour to have served as the Mayor of Charnwood over the last year.
I have had some fantastic memories and met many inspirational people across the borough along with having attended events such as the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. It was also an honour to lead the historic proclamation at the Carillon Tower following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
“I would like to thank everyone who has donated to my charity, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People raising over £6,500.
“Finally, I would like to wish Cllr Smidowicz the very best in her new role as Mayor of Charnwood.”
Cllr Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE has been elected deputy Mayor of Charnwood and will be supported by her Mayoress, Julie Ellerbeck.
To find out more information about the Mayor of Charnwood, visit the Council’s webpage: www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/thecurrentmayoranddeputymayor
ENDS