5 Minutes with…
Community News
Cllr Hannah Gray, Mayor of Bromley Grab a cuppa and get ready to enjoy our ‘5 Minutes With’ interview with Councillor Hannah Gray of West Wickham ward, who was elected Mayor of Bromley for 2020/21… Huge congratulations Hannah! Firstly, for those who are unsure, can you explain what the Mayor’s responsibilities are? Certainly. The Mayor of Bromley is the first citizen of Bromley and HM Queen’s representative. The Mayor carries out a ceremonial role in the workings of the Council, Chairing the full Council meetings and is non-political.
What made you put yourself forward in the running for Mayor? I was invited to be the Deputy Mayor in 2016 by the Mayor, Cllr Ian Payne. It was a role I had not considered when I became a Councillor, but I found it really interesting and inspiring meeting the many groups of volunteers, youth groups and the wider community of Bromley. It was then that I thought it would be great to become Mayor one day and the opportunity presented itself this year.
What makes you most passionate about your newly elected role? Covid-19 has currently drastically changed the way in which the Mayor can interact with the local community, but I believe we can and are finding a positive during adversity. The Mayor’s office normally receives many requests for the Mayor to attend community groups and events, but during these unprecedented times I have asked my office to arrange visits to places where I can go in order to say ‘Thank You’ to those that have been supporting the community throughout lockdown, such as the waste recycling centre, funeral parlours, supermarkets, pharmacies and care homes to name but a few. If you wish to request a visit or a phone call please email mayors.office@bromley.gov.uk
the Facebook page @MayorOfBromley) and give to my Just Giving page - www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ mayorofbromley2020
Do you have any preferred shops/boutiques for your dresses? There are packages arriving daily (oops!) with top labels in them, but they are mostly from eBay. I am a firm believer in recycling so why not include Mayoral dresses?
Tell us something most people don’t know about you... I was a former professional opera singer, but these days the voice is reserved for carol services, so invites to these services are most welcome.
What does supporting small local businesses mean to you? I have for several years believed that we must encourage people to spend their money locally. We have a wealth of local talented people that can often be very competitive in price and deliver a great service, they then spend that pound locally and so it can go on. Now more than ever we must support our local business community.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Something I have missed during lockdown, enjoying our
What do you hope to be your legacy at the end of local nightlife from restaurants to comedy nights, we have your tenure as Mayor – and what would you like to a vibrant and diverse night time economy - let’s hope it survives this difficult period. Let’s keep dancing as I am achieve over the next 12 months? I am looking to make the Mayoralty even more accessible, relevant and approachable for the whole community through social media, video, images and publications such as this, in order to promote the many causes and great work done by many diverse groups and volunteers. If I can help, please ask - no matter how mad an idea!
always up for a boogie.
What are you most proud of about the borough?
Our community; Covid-19 has demonstrated that we have a strong community that is willing to support those that need it. We currently have over 4,372 residents registered as volunteers. These wonderful people were always there, What would you like to drive forward or campaign but Covid-19 was just the catalyst that mobilised them. As I found out when I was Deputy Mayor, we have amazing, for? diverse groups of people that volunteer to support an My two charities for 2020/21, both of which are local equally diverse group of causes, from our environment to and focus on local people - Chartwell Cancer Trust and those that are less fortunate or affected by disabilities or Cystic Fibrosis Supporters. All of our charities are finding illness, they make me feel #ProudOfBromley. fundraising tough at this time and I wish I could help them all, but all of my efforts and events will be focused on these Do you have a question for the Mayor? worthy causes. I would invite your readers to help me by Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk supporting the events that we have planned (please check lifeinmagazines.co.uk
July 2020 Life in... Orpington 13
