The Mayor of Ashford is the Borough's first citizen. He/she is elected for a year's term of office at the annual meeting of the Council in May.

Responsibilities of the Mayor include:

• To chair meetings of the Full Council
• To uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution
• To host a number of civic events
• To represent the borough at ceremonial occasions
• To attend a wide range of events and presentations to which he/she is invited

The Mayor of the Borough of Ashford for 2008/2009 is Councillor John Link, ward member for St Michaels, Tenterden.

Councillor Link's wife Jill has been appointed Mayoress for the year.

The Deputy Mayor for 2008/2009 is Councillor John Holland, who represents the Ashford Borough Ward of Washford.  His wife Jill is the deputy Mayoress.

For more information on the Mayor's badge and Chain of Office please view our Borough Regalia webpage.

The Mayor's Charity

This year the Mayor's Charity is in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, Find a Voice and St Michael's Church Window restoration and donations should be made payable to "The Mayor's Charity Fund".  If you are interested in supporting the Mayor’s Charity please contact the Mayor's personal assistant.

To request the Mayor to attend an event

Please contact the Mayor's personal assistant, Andrea Collard, as early as possible.  If the engagement is agreed relevant information must be sent to her at least two weeks before the event.

Email Andrea Collard

Telephone: 01233 330219

or write to: Mrs Andrea Collard

Mayor's Parlour

Civic Centre

Tannery Lane

Ashford, Kent

TN23 1PL

Etiquette  

The Mayor always has precedence in Ashford borough except in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen or Her representative

• Please designate a person to be on hand to meet the Mayor on arrival and to introduce him/her to the host or the assembled company.
• When the Mayor enters or leaves, it is customary for those present to rise
• Unless the Mayor is chairing the meeting, he/she should be seated on the Chairman's immediate right and, except for an introduction, it is usual for the Mayor to be the first speaker
• The formal announcement of the Mayor is "The Worshipful the Mayor of Ashford"
• Please address the Mayor as "Mr Mayor/Madam Mayor" and the Mayoress/Mayor's Consort as "Mayoress/Mayor's Consort"