Two of Havering’s former Councillors are set for a new life down under, after emigrating to Perth, Western Australia this week. Martin and Alexandra Smith were Councillors for Mawneys Ward in Collier Row for four years between 2002 and 2006.
They stood for Election with the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association this May, in one of the closest and hardest election battles North Romford has ever seen, they narrowly missed out on being re-elected after four recounts, a record at Havering.
Martin and Alex had planned to leave for Oz in 2010, but Martin was offered an early retirement opportunity and with being unsuccessful at this years election, took the chance three years earlier than planned.
Both Martin and Alex have worked tirelessly for the ward over the years, both of them have been School Governors, over the last eight years at some time at Crownfield, Mawneys and St Patricks Schools.
Martin and Alex were also heavily involved with the Havering Twinning Association, a relationship that they started whilst Martin was Deputy Mayor (2002 – 2003), a job he undertook after stepping into the breach at the last moment.
On recalling how he was asked to be Mayor, Martin said “I was traveling on the train on the way home on the night of annual Council in May 2002, when I received a phone call to ask if Alexandra and I would be the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress for the year, on repeating the question out loud on the train, the man sitting opposite me instantly stood up and shook my hand, shouting well done, this man is going to be the Deputy Mayor of Havering to everyone on the train”
He went on “Both Alexandra and myself would like to thank all of the residents that have supported us over the years, it has been a great privilege and honour to serve this Borough, we will both miss the friends and residents that have been part of our lives for so many years”
Chairman of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association, Cllr Andrew Mann said, “Both Martin and Alex have worked for the community of Collier Row and Mawneys Ward for many years, not just whilst elected but both before and after, their commitment can not be faulted and will be greatly missed”
Members of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association presented Martin and Alex with a signed photo of their time as Councillors.
They stood for Election with the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association this May, in one of the closest and hardest election battles North Romford has ever seen, they narrowly missed out on being re-elected after four recounts, a record at Havering.
Martin and Alex had planned to leave for Oz in 2010, but Martin was offered an early retirement opportunity and with being unsuccessful at this years election, took the chance three years earlier than planned.
Both Martin and Alex have worked tirelessly for the ward over the years, both of them have been School Governors, over the last eight years at some time at Crownfield, Mawneys and St Patricks Schools.
Martin and Alex were also heavily involved with the Havering Twinning Association, a relationship that they started whilst Martin was Deputy Mayor (2002 – 2003), a job he undertook after stepping into the breach at the last moment.
On recalling how he was asked to be Mayor, Martin said “I was traveling on the train on the way home on the night of annual Council in May 2002, when I received a phone call to ask if Alexandra and I would be the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress for the year, on repeating the question out loud on the train, the man sitting opposite me instantly stood up and shook my hand, shouting well done, this man is going to be the Deputy Mayor of Havering to everyone on the train”
He went on “Both Alexandra and myself would like to thank all of the residents that have supported us over the years, it has been a great privilege and honour to serve this Borough, we will both miss the friends and residents that have been part of our lives for so many years”
Chairman of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association, Cllr Andrew Mann said, “Both Martin and Alex have worked for the community of Collier Row and Mawneys Ward for many years, not just whilst elected but both before and after, their commitment can not be faulted and will be greatly missed”
Members of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association presented Martin and Alex with a signed photo of their time as Councillors.
1 comment:
Well Done to Martin and Alexandra for all the hard work they done in Mawneys ward over the years, i hope there new life down under goes well.
Bob Starling
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