A “STALWART” of the community has been elected as chair of the district council.
Councillor Robert Raphael was handed the chains of office during Wychavon’s annual meeting.
It is the second time he has carried out the role, having previously been chairman in 2021, towards the end of the Covid pandemic.
He takes over from councillor Alex Sinton, who lost his seat during the recent local elections.
Councillor Raphael said: “To serve as chairman once is a privilege but to do it twice really is an honour.
“With Wychavon turning 50 next April, I am looking forward to getting out and meeting people and celebrating the wonderful place that is our beautiful district.”
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To mark the district council’s 50th anniversary, councillor Raphael has set himself the challenge of visiting every parish in the district during his year as chairman.
The 53-year-old is thought of as a key part of the Evesham community, having served on the town council since 1992 and been mayor twice.
He is also a trustee of the Evesham Volunteer Centre and lends his time to help with various groups and events in the town.
Councillor Raphael’s mother Diana – also a long-serving member of the Evesham community known locally as ‘Mrs Evesham’ – will accompany the new chairman on official duties.
Councillor George Duffy was elected vice chairman during the annual meeting on Wednesday (May 17).
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Outgoing chair, councillor Sinton, had a busy year in office, marked by royal events.
He started his year as chairman representing the district at Platinum Jubilee celebrations before leading Wychavon in mourning following the death of HM The Queen and then proclaiming a new monarch.
He rounded off his official duties by representing Wychavon at the recent coronation celebrations for HM King Charles III.
During his year councillor Sinton carried out 113 official engagements and visited more than 60 schools across the district to promote Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Plan.
Almost 1,000 children have been given official Wychavon eco badges because of these visits.
Councillor Sinton said: “Thank you to everyone who supported me during my year as chairman.
“As well as meeting Princess Anne three times, I also met some amazingly dedicated local people, many of them volunteers, and the work they do really does make Wychavon District the fantastic place it is to live.”
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