Rhuddlan’s new Mayor and Deputy Mayor praise local volunteers

Rhuddlan Town Council’s new Mayor, Cllr. Mike Kermode, praises the work of local volunteers which make such a positive difference to the town.

Cllr. Kermode says – “One of the themes for my year as Mayor will be to support and encourage local volunteering and community service.  Local volunteers have such a positive impact on our town – we saw this over the coronation weekend where there were events in St. Mary’s Church, in the Community Centre, on Admiral’s Playing field, at the bowling green and the allotments.  The Town Council sponsored the costs of these events but they couldn’t run without all of the work by the volunteers who worked hard to make it such a memorable weekend.  But it doesn’t just happen on special weekends, volunteers make a difference in Rhuddlan throughout the year on a range of activities.  Some are environmental which improve the look of our High Street  and other areas – others are more focussed on supporting the more vulnerable members of the community, such as at the Stroke Club, the Lunch Club and our Dementia Group and there are many other voluntary activities that benefit the local community.” 

Cllr. Kermode was made Mayor at the Town Council’s AGM last Thursday.  He and his family have lived in Rhuddlan for over 50 years and he said that moving to live in the town had been one of the most positive steps in his family’s life.  Rhuddlan has provided a welcoming, friendly and supportive community that is a great place to live in.

He is married to Mayoress Sue, having being married for nearly 54 years, they have 2 children and 4 grand-children.   Mike has been a Town Councillor for nearly 10 years and was a member of the small voluntary group that established the Rhuddlan Gwledd-Fest food and craft event in the town.  The Town Council has now taken on the role of running this annual event and the next one will be Saturday 20^th May.  He is also is also very active in Rhuddlan’s Dementia Group which provides activities such as chair exercise and music memories sessions, together with occasional afternoon dances; which link with Mike’s interest in dancing which includes ballroom, Latin and even line dancing.

Rhuddlan Town Council’s New Deputy Mayor is Cllr Val Simmons. Val has lived in Rhuddlan for the last 12 years she is married with 2 sons and 2 grandsons. Val became a Councillor in the last May’s elections.

Val said “I am honoured and privileged to have been asked to become the Deputy Mayor of our wonderful town.  I am always inspired by the volunteers who run the community groups and our community centre, I will do my best to support them all. I am looking forward to this year being Deputy Mayor and supporting the New Mayor Councillor Mike Kermode”

Val is the Volunteer Group Coordinator for the Conwy & Denbighshire MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Group I also sits on the MS Cymru Council for Wales.