Town Clerk, Deputy Town Mayor and Town Mayor
At the Annual Council Meeting, held on Tuesday 16 May in front of invited guests and dignitaries, the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Nicola Keen gave a farewell speech after a successful year having raised over £2,400 for her nominated charities (Folkestone Rescue, East Folkestone Youth Club, FYP Youth Charity).
Councillor Keen was presented with a gift from Councillors and thanked for her hard work in promoting Folkestone and raising money for charity throughout the year.
Councillor Belinda Walker was elected The Worshipful Town Mayor of Folkestone for the year 2023-24. Reverend Dr John Walker, from The Church of St Mary & St Eanswythe, was named as the Mayor’s Chaplain and Able Cadet Ilya Ovsyannikov, from the Folkestone & Hythe Sea Cadets, was named as the Mayor’s Cadet.
Town Mayor and Able Cadet Ilya Ovsyannikov
The Town Mayor announced that her nominated charities for the year will be Rainbow Centre, Shepway Spectrum Arts and Age UK Marigold Centre.
Councillor Walker commented “I am delighted and extremely honoured to have been elected to serve as Mayor. I want to thank Cllr Keen for being an excellent mentor. I am really looking forward to the challenge of representing the town to the best of my ability, together with my Deputy Cllr Akuffo-Kelly. I know I will have strong support from my fellow councillors.”
Councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly was elected as Deputy Town Mayor and thanked Councillors for the nomination.
If you would like to invite the Mayor to an event, please contact georgina.wilson@folkestone-tc.gov.uk or call 01303 257946.