Mayoral Acceptance Speech 

25/26 - Cllr Cathy Glynn-Davies

"Welcome to you all. Being selected as Mayor of Worthing is a tremendous honour and also a challenge, I’m daunted that I will be following some amazing and popular predecessors from all sides of the political spectrum. There was a lot of deliberation before this decision was made and I did ask Democratic Services if they could manage some white smoke to indicate my succession, but unfortunately there was no budget for it!

This is a good time to express my admiration and thanks to Cllr Ibsha Choudhury for his charm, his unshakeable good humour and his devotion to the people of this town and to thank him for his service to our community in Worthing. He’s not a bad cricket player either!

I also want to thank Cllr Helen Abrahams for her sterling efforts as his deputy. She and I did a memorable rainy dash to Chichester Cathedral for the Carol Concert, and I know how determined she was to support Ibsha, and ensure that every event had a kind and compassionate presence to offer support and encouragement to our community. It is my privilege to know both these people.

When I attended a small Catholic Grammar School in Somers Town in London, I had no idea that one day I would be chairing the Council in a beautiful seaside town like Worthing. Sisters Fidelis, Placida, Winifred, Thecla, Camilla, Agatha and Rita would be proud (and probably amazed!).  The nuns took the names of some extraordinary women. You may never have heard of them but they have their place in history (like so many other women I know). I grew up in a diverse community, and understood the importance of social cohesion and as such I will not tolerate racism. Ever.

My Catholic upbringing has given me a hunger for social justice and I’m delighted to welcome Catholic clergy Fr. Chris Ingle and Deacon Mark Woods to this meeting tonight. Pope Leo sadly couldn’t make it!

As the eldest girl in a large Irish family, it was always my duty to bring about order, and watch and care for my unruly siblings, some of whom are able to be here this evening despite the hard time I gave them when they were little. They are the best of people, with strong social consciences, active in their communities and compassionate towards others. I’m so proud of them and thank them for their support. 

I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my brother Gavin, who died in 2012. He was born with disabilities and as a result led a difficult life with much suffering. He gave me an appreciation of what it is like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of the system. He is one of the reasons I strive for a system that works for everyone. 

I also want to pay tribute to my son-in-law, Ryan Chapman, who was a compassionate advocate for Gavin. He died tragically in 2013. He was an extremely sensitive and funny man, and he gave me insight into the troubles faced by those with mental health problems, and a desire to make things better. 

Bossiness is a habit that’s hard to shake off, but who knows, it may stand me in good stead in this chamber! It bothers me that members who are less able, struggle to stand to address the chair, and that our audio system doesn’t lend itself to standing address. Therefore one of my first decisions, as Mayor, is to use my discretion to allow members the option to sit and contribute to discussion. I believe this will be more inclusive and encourage members to participate.

Our parents were strong working class, always working, although it’s a fact that on each of our seven birth certificates, dad was listed as having a different profession - from Merchant Seaman during and after the Second World War, to Postman and eventually running a small business. Our mother had a career as a wartime Civil Servant in Foreign and Commonwealth Office, welcoming and caring for troops from the colonies. She also worked in Met Police and as a Local Government Officer for London Borough of Islington. Service to country and community was an intrinsic expectation of us all and I’m so proud that this has passed down the generations.

I want to thank my husband, Tom, for his unquestioning support of the decision I made to go into local politics (you may find this hard to believe but I can be a difficult woman!). 

He never waivers. He is a good man. 

I also want to pay tribute to my ex husband, Ian, who died recently. His kindness and support made it possible for me to work and study while our children were young. We will miss him.

Like my dad, I have a diverse employment history. As a young person in London I first trained at the Post Office International Telephone Exchange. Opportunities for further education then enabled me to develop skills and work at a range of organisations in Mayfair, the West End and the City, ranging from The National Farmers’ Union and the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service to Yves St Laurent, Charles of the Ritz and the actual Ritz, where I connected calls for Jackie Onassis and got a free meal from the restaurant whilst on shift (best ice cream ever!).

I’ve worked in financial institutions, insurance companies and in Local Government in Islington. One of my favourite jobs was working for Computer Sciences Corps in Savile Row of all places. No, they weren’t making suits, they were building the first satellite defence system, known then as ‘Star Wars’. Exciting times! 

When my children were young I began working in adult social care and following that in training and education. I taught in a men’s prison, and subsequently taught students at Northbrook College (on balance the men in the prison were easier to manage!).

Many of the people here tonight are teachers. Never underestimate the value of a good teacher. They are pillars of society and I salute all teachers and teaching assistants for the essential work they do to keep our children thriving and thinking and questioning.

It must also be said that I have lived in this town for around 39 years and have never got over the excitement of living near the sea and countryside. I have a deep appreciation for these that is sometimes lost on those who have lived here all their lives. That’s the London child in me. 

My life has been all about opportunities, and it is my aspiration that every person in Worthing has opportunities to grow and develop, and that together as a council we do everything in our power to enable that. I firmly believe that this is something all sides of the chamber have in common, and as your Mayor I promise I will work with you all to make this town a better place. 

In my opinion, a town that does not support those in need is not doing its job, and, for this reason, I am naming Worthing Food Foundation as one of my Mayoral charities. As a volunteer there I have met some of the nicest people I know, working tirelessly without pay to ensure that no child goes hungry. I want to thank these people, represented here tonight by Su Turley, Yasan and Fiona, for giving their time and effort as this charity adopts a sustainable model which ensures it will continue into the future.

I am also delighted to name Community Chest as a second charity. People who know me, know that I am passionate about the environment. Friends of Lyons Farm Open Space have worked tirelessly to develop a precious community facility into a thriving permaculture community project. I want to thank Peter, Richard, Merry and Jemima, and Steve and Lesley from Malthouse Meadow, who are here this evening, for their dedication and sheer hard work. Community Chest has been instrumental in ensuring that pots of money become available, and we now have a mini orchard, a community composter, raised beds and hundreds of metres of woodland hedges.

I have a third charity, which I have yet to confirm but its importance as a tool for social cohesion in Worthing cannot be underestimated. Watch this space.

My passion for the environment is only matched by my passion for culture, music and the Arts. We have an exciting and vibrant core of creative industries in our town and they are represented here tonight. Hello to Mike and Jen, working so hard towards our third Worthing Festival! As your Mayor, I will be working with them and with you to ensure that Worthing goes from strength to strength, holding her own against our big sister to the east. 

Lastly I want to thank all my colleagues on all sides of the chamber, our officers, who so often go well beyond their contracted remit to keep the wheels of this council rolling, my friends and family for their unwavering commitment to making this town a great place to live and work, and all who have made the effort to be here tonight. I pledge you my commitment to this role. 

Thank you all so much.