Stafford Borough Mayor

He’s not putting his feet up just yet–more his pedal down. An avid motorcyclist, Paul is planning on building on aformer 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 Iamgoing to bore them to death with my presence for the next 18 months. “I don’t have any plans to work. Iwill be touring the UK and Europe on my motorbike, Iwill be trying to get myself alittle fitter than Iamnow, and just enjoying life. “Covid has taught me,asIamsure it has taught a lot of people, about life and how important family and friends are. So that’s exactly what Iamgoing to be doing.”

The pride of service shone through from Paul as he looked back on his career with asmile.And he also had acall to arms to anyone else who may be looking to forge asimilar careerfor themselves.

He added: “Please join the fire service, have ago at it, and just keep going.I didn’t get in first time. It took me anumber of times to get in. “It’s the best career you could ever, ever imagine. The camaraderie is absolutely amazing, and Iwill take away from this job some really closefriends.”

STAFFORD BOROUGH MAYOR New Mayor takes chains of office

The new Mayor of Stafford Borough has been elected back on to the council in 2019 to represent sworn in at a ‘ virtual’ ceremony recently. the Littleworth Ward. In his maiden mayoral speech to the council he said it was a ‘humbling ’ experience becoming the

Councillor Tony Nixon took up the chains of borough’ s ‘first citizen. ’ office at the recent Annual Meeting of Stafford He said: “The Mayoress and I are Borough Council– the first time the event committed to doing our very best to has been held virtually in its more than support the volunteers, the businesses, 400-year history. organisations and charities that make

Cllr Nixon takes over from councillor this borough such a great place to live, Gareth Jones for the 2021/2022 Mayoral work and visit. year. Cllr Jones has been in post for two “We have vast numbers of selfless years after Covid-19 prevented the people who are dedicated to helping annual ceremony going ahead in 2020. others less fortunate than themselves.

The new Mayor is Stafford born and They give such a lot - and ask for very bred and worked for the Universal little in return. Grinding Wheel Company for more than 30 “During our civic year we will take every years. He then moved to work at RAF Stafford opportunity to acknowledge their selfless before transferring to MOD Donnington until his deeds, shine a light on their hard work, and, in doing retirement in 2018. so, give a little bit back to those who give such a lot. ”

His wife, Hazel, a former NHS worker, is the new The couple will be raising money for the Stafford Mayoress and the couple were married in 1973 – and District Carers Holiday Trust – with other they have three children and five grandchildren. charities to be announced soon.

Cllr Nixon is a keen motorcyclist who was first Councillor Peter Jones continues in the role of elected to the Borough Council in 1999. He was Deputy Mayor.