The Mayor of Ripon is heading for the history books after being asked to stay in office until May.
Councillor Eamon Parkin, who became mayor in 2019, will be the first person to hold the title in the city for three consecutive years.
His term has been extended due to covid, which forced the cancellation of many of the civic events that normally take place in a mayoral year, including the fundraising mayor’s ball.
However, in its place, he and his consort Nigel Guy will host a hog roast and afternoon of entertainment on September 4 at the Magdalens pub that they own and run.
Tickets are available from the pub and proceeds will be shared between Ripon Vision Support and the Ripon Christmas Lights Appeal.
The Mayor’s hog roast will raise money for Ripon Vision Support and the city’s Christmas Lights Appeal.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I planned the fundraiser as the finale to my term, but then my city council colleagues asked me to stay on, giving me more time to raise money for both causes.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be mayor of this wonderful place.
“With its unique character, rich heritage and community-minded approach, Ripon has weathered storms for more than 1,300 years — the latest being the coronavirus crisis.”
Ripon’s resilience
Like other small businesses in the city, The Magdalens suffered the financial effects of lockdown, social distancing requirements and limitations on the number of customers able to visit.
But the hardship faced by the pub and so many other traders brought a collective response that underlined Ripon’s resilience.
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Cllr Parkin said:
“During our enforced closure, Nigel and I decided to turn the pub into a community hub, where neighbours could call for help, or drop off donated goods and other items for delivery to people in self-isolation.
“But we were not the only ones providing this kind of support and it was replicated by individuals, groups and organisations, all spontaneously rallying to assist others in need.”
With the easing of lockdown seeing the city return to a more normal way of life, Cllr Parkin can look back on highlights that emerged in the darkest hours of the pandemic.
Among them, is his long-held desire to see the extension of area covered by Ripon’s Christmas lights, adding to the city’s festive attraction for residents and driving greater footfall to benefit local businesses.
The decision to extend Cllr Parkin’s term in office until May will ensure that the person selected to be the city’s first citizen next year will be able to look forward to a term in office back in sync with the normal civic calendar.
Mayor of Ripon to continue in office until September
The Mayor of Ripon will continue his duties until September 15, when the city council will hold its civic annual meeting.
Cllr Eamon Parkin was elected to the mayoralty in May 2019 and his period in office has been extended because of the coronavirus crisis.
His deputy, Cllr Charlie Powell, will also remain in post for the next two months.
The city council’s first face to face meeting since March 2020, was preceded by its annual meeting.
Before the unanimous vote confirming his continuance in office, Cllr Parkin was thanked for his service.
Council leader Andrew Williams, said:
“In spite of a very difficult mayoral year, limited by covid, Cllr Parkin has continued to represent Ripon with great dignity.”
The mayor, who chairs council meetings, has been conducting them virtually via Teams, since social distancing requirements came into force.
The city council will hold its civic annual meeting at Ripon Town Hall on 15 September
The coronavirus crisis brought the cancellation of civic events that would have come within the mayoral year.
These include the celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Battle of Britain Day, Remembrance Sunday and the annual St Wilfrid procession.
As a publican operating in Ripon, Cllr Parkin has personally experienced the difficulties that lockdown brought for small businesses in the city.
However, he has remained optimistic about the future and in his New Year message, told the Stray Ferret:
“Against this backdrop of hardship and heartache, Ripon’s independent spirit has shone through
“Though the civic year has been severely curtailed by covid, I have either witnessed or been told of hundreds of acts of kindness across our proud and ancient city.”
A new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected to serve from September.
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