New Mayor elected

Councillor Hugh Patterson is the new Mayor of Tunbridge Wells after being elected at the Annual Meeting of the Council on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

Hugh is ward councillor for Capel and a part-time history and politics teacher. He served as a councillor between 2012 and 2016 and stood again in 2021. Hugh’s wife Sandra will accompany him as Mayoress during his year of office.

As well as representing the borough of Tunbridge Wells, during their term of office the Mayor supports local charitable causes. Hugh has nominated two charities he will fundraise for: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Charitable Fund and Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre (PWCAC).

Explaining the reasons for his choices Hugh said:

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Charity exists to enhance the standard of care, services and facilities provided to patients, relatives, visitors and staff within the MTW NHS Trust. I thought this was particularly appropriate this year, the 75th anniversary of the NHS, and would help raise awareness of the work that has been done by our hospital staff over that time. It is also a way of expressing my gratitude for the quality of care and speedy and successful treatment I received following my prostate cancer diagnosis last year.’

‘Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre is a volunteer-run charity offering free advice, information and support to people living in Paddock Wood, the neighbouring villages and more widely in the west Kent area. They provide advice and help on welfare, debt, housing, family, mental health support and other issues to residents, who cannot afford the funding themselves. PWCAC provides a vital service to the rural community I represent. I have been familiar with their work for many years as a Parish and Borough Councillor and know how important their role is to those in need of help and advice within our community.

Councillor Nicholas Pope was elected as Deputy Mayor.