RETIREMENT He s not putting his feet up just yet more his pedal down. An avid motorcyclist, Paul is planning on building on a former trip with friends and colleagues travelling along Route 66 in America and has his eyes set this time on Europe. He said: Covid has pretty much taken away my interactions with my friends and family for the past 18 months, so I am going to bore them to death with my presence for the next 18 months. I don t have any plans to work. I will be touring the UK and Europe on my motorbike, I will be trying to get myself a little fitter than I am now, and just enjoying life. Covid has taught me, as I am sure it has taught a lot of people, about life and how important family and friends are. So that s exactly what I am going to be doing. The pride of service shone through from Paul as he looked back on his career with a smile. And he also had a call to arms to anyone else who may be looking to forge a similar career for themselves. He added: Please join the fire service, have a go at it, and just keep going. I didn t get in first time. It took me a number of times to get in. It s the best career you could ever, ever imagine. The camaraderie is absolutely amazing, and I will take away from this job some really close friends.
STAFFORD BOROUGH MAYOR
New Mayor takes chains of office
T
he new Mayor of Stafford Borough has been sworn in at a virtual ceremony recently.
Councillor Tony Nixon took up the chains of office at the recent Annual Meeting of Stafford Borough Council the first time the event has been held virtually in its more than 400-year history. Cllr Nixon takes over from councillor Gareth Jones for the 2021/2022 Mayoral year. Cllr Jones has been in post for two years after Covid-19 prevented the annual ceremony going ahead in 2020. The new Mayor is Stafford born and bred and worked for the Universal Grinding Wheel Company for more than 30 years. He then moved to work at RAF Stafford before transferring to MOD Donnington until his retirement in 2018. His wife, Hazel, a former NHS worker, is the new Mayoress and the couple were married in 1973 they have three children and five grandchildren. Cllr Nixon is a keen motorcyclist who was first elected to the Borough Council in 1999. He was
elected back on to the council in 2019 to represent the Littleworth Ward. In his maiden mayoral speech to the council he said it was a humbling experience becoming the borough s first citizen. He said: The Mayoress and I are committed to doing our very best to support the volunteers, the businesses, organisations and charities that make this borough such a great place to live, work and visit. We have vast numbers of selfless people who are dedicated to helping others less fortunate than themselves. They give such a lot - and ask for very little in return. During our civic year we will take every opportunity to acknowledge their selfless deeds, shine a light on their hard work, and, in doing so, give a little bit back to those who give such a lot. The couple will be raising money for the Stafford and District Carers Holiday Trust with other charities to be announced soon. Councillor Peter Jones continues in the role of Deputy Mayor.
