The next Mayor of Richmond upon Thames will be Cllr Rita Palmer. Her chosen charities for the year will be the Horse Rangers Association in Hampton and The Poppy Factory in Richmond.
Cllr Palmer has been a member of the Council since 2007 and has served on several committees during the last five years. She is currently the borough’s Champion for Senior Residents and has been very active over the past year working toward promoting opportunities which will enable older residents to get out and about and keep healthy and active. This includes spearheading the borough’s Older People’s Day annual event in October.
The nomination for Cllr Palmer to be the 47th Mayor was made by Lord True, Leader of the Council, who said:
“Rita is one of the most hard working and community minded of all our councillors. She is very well known to many residents in the borough for her attendance at consultations, meetings and events, and her hard work as the borough’s first Champion for Senior Residents.
Cllr Palmer said: “I am honoured to be the borough’s 47th Mayor – particularly as it will put me in a position to be able to carry out some valuable fundraising for two very local charities.
“Both of my charities are very close to my heart. The Horserangers Association is based at Hampton Court. They focus on teaching young people horsemanship and how to care for horses and ponies. They have a specific focus on working with children with special needs. The Poppy Factory employs wounded, sick and injured ex-Service personnel in its factory in Richmond. Making poppies, remembrance crosses, sprays and wreaths for The Royal British Legion’s annual Appeal and Remembrance Day. I hope the contribution that the Mayor’s Fund can bring through fundraising during the year can help them and in turn local people.”
Cllr Palmer will be formally invested as the Mayor at the Full Council meeting on 22 May in a special mayor making ceremony, she will also announce her Deputy Mayor – Cllr Lisa Blakemore.
