A new mayor has been elected for Kendal.
Councillor Richard Sutton’s first mayoral duty will be on July 13 at Civic Sunday after the formal mayor making ceremony recently.
Councillor Helen Ladhams is the new depity mayor.
Cllr Sutton has lived in Kendal for over 40 years, and the theme of his mayoral year is volunteering.
His chosen charities are Carer Support South Lakes, Lifesteps and Friends, and Sight Advice.
Cllr Sutton said: “To be elected mayor of my adopted home is a great honour and I hope to serve the town well in the coming year.
“I would like to focus on encouraging the people of Kendal to volunteer in any way they can, and to support others who wish to do so or who are already doing it. I am looking forward immensely to my year in office serving Kendal as best I can.”
At the ceremony, retiring mayor Jonathan Cornthwaite presented the Wainwright Award, marking an outstanding contribution to Kendal’s Community by an individual or organisation.
This year’s winner was Memory Wheelchairs, a charity that loans pieces of equipment named for a loved one lost to illness or injury to people still facing illnesses, injury or rehabilitation to support them in their time of need.
The other nominees were Kendal’s Organ Donor Town initiative, Simon Raven for his activities in cleaning the River Kent, and The Eddington Centre.
Cllr Cornthwaite said: “It was a great honour to give this award to a well-deserving winner, and for this to be my last act as mayor of Kendal makes it all the more special.”
