verwood news
Mayor zooms into office By Janine Pulford
Lockdown has created many difficulties this year, none more so than the mayor making in Verwood, which usually takes place in May. Following a four-month delay, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the new mayor for 2020/21 was elected to lead Verwood Town Council in September by a remote vote during a Zoom video conference. Councillor Matthew Parker proudly picked up his chain of office on 22 September. Following his election he told Viewpoint that he aims “to continue to build engagement with the residents of Verwood and Three Legged Cross, increase awareness of the council’s role and continue to provide information about decisions that have been made.” Born in Ewell, Matthew grew up in Horndean until he went to university in Bournemouth. He has lived in Verwood since 2006 and has been a councillor since 2016. Owner of the Ringwood law firm, Forest
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VIEWPOINT October 2020
Edge Solicitors, which was first set up in Verwood, he was inspired to become a solicitor after a careers lesson at school when he was asked to research the role and speak about it to the rest of the class. “It looked interesting and so I focused all my exams and university on achieving it,” he said. “Luckily I enjoy my work. I studied at Bournemouth University, where I met my wife, and completed my law degree, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Masters in Intellectual Property Management.” Matthew is married to Jodi and the couple have three children: Belle, 10; Hermione, 8, and Teddy, 7. In his role of mayor, Matthew is looking forward to seeing the continued replacement of the children’s areas. He also supports the attempts being made to improve the crossing near the Scout Hut. “We have agreed to set up a working group looking at the crossings/roads in Verwood and Three Cross and the best way of engaging with residents and Dorset about eligible works,” he said. You’d think Matthew would have more than enough to do without squeezing in hobbies, but
you would be wrong. He enjoys running and is no stranger to marathons having completed seven. Matthew also likes watching films, visiting theme parks with the children and building Lego with them. His charities during his term of office until May next year are the National Association for Colitis & Crohn’s Disease and the local schools in Verwood and Three Legged Cross with the funds going towards IT equipment for lessons, and their libraries. The deputy mayor is Councillor Philip Mann. With only eight months in office, Matthew has his work cut out; no wonder he zoomed into office and runs for a hobby!
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