Mayor

At 35, Richard Walters is thought to be Shipston’s youngest-ever Mayor. Since arriving in town five years ago, a place they felt they could ‘take root’, Richard and his wife Becky have thrown themselves into the civic life. Richard joined the Town Council where he has been an active member of the general purposes working group. His work has included helping secure official recognition of Shipston Cemetery as a Commonwealth War Graves site and supporting the installation of a new memorial commemorating one of the cemetery’s five world war casualties. An ex-Reservist, Richard is a member of the town’s Royal British Legion, and Becky, who was a regular soldier specialising in bomb disposal, has organised the Poppy Appeal for
Shipston and surrounding villages. In his day job, Richard is head of operational excellence at Shoosmiths solicitors having previously worked for the Ministry of Defence. Richard has a Masters in medieval history and an impressive wine qualification (WSET level three). He is also a keen rugby fan – supporting Gloucester, where he grew up –and is often to be seen out walking his two springer spaniels Leto and Freya.

A few words from our Mayor:

Five years ago, we moved to Shipston and immediately fell in love with this town – because of its people. From the moment we arrived, I was struck by the warmth, kindness and generosity that really do define this community. Shipston is an incredibly welcoming place. It is a town where people know one another, look out for one another, and where newcomers have countless opportunities to get involved in the life of the town.

What makes Shipston special is that its character is entirely self determined. No distant government plan, fashionable blueprint or outside body dictates what this town should be. Shipston is what it is because of the people who live here, care for it, volunteer for it, invest in it and fight for it. There is a fierce sense of local pride and identity here, and rightly so.

That matters all the more at a time when so many decisions affecting our communities can feel remote and uncertain. Whether it is the Local Plan, Local Government Reorganisation, or ongoing planning concerns people, many residents understandably feel anxious about preserving what makes Shipston unique. My belief is that the best safeguard for this town will always be the strength, confidence and involvement of its people.

The real strength of Shipston lies in its volunteers, community groups and local businesses. In the clubs, charities, churches, societies and organisations that quietly sustain community
life every single day. And equally in our brilliant independent businesses, the shops, cafés, pubs, and tradespeople who give the town its life, energy and identity.

Our recent Town Meeting really showcased the remarkable breadth and depth of voluntary organisations we are fortunate to have here in Shipston. And even in the short time since then, we have seen more examples of the energy and community spirit that make this town what it is – we’ve had the first ever Veterans’ Breakfast at Low Furlong, the return of the Ibiza Night, and the Town Band’s Spring Concert all demonstrating the sheer variety of community life we enjoy here. These things do not happen by accident. They happen because people step forward, give their time, and care deeply about this town and one another. They are exactly the sort of things we must seek not only to preserve, but to grow.

Both our voluntary sector and our local businesses are facing immense pressures and hardships. Rising costs, uncertainty and changing times weigh heavily on both. Yet they continue to serve, to employ, to support and to bring life to our town. During my year as Mayor, they are the people and organisations I hope to champion at every opportunity, because they deserve not only our gratitude, but our active support.

I also want to pay tribute to Tony Booth who has set what feels like an impossible example to follow, not only as Mayor, but as one of the true titans of this town. His commitment tothe chain has been extraordinary, but so too is his service as a Community First Responder and his wider dedication to Shipston life. The enthusiasm, energy and sheer joy he has brought to this role will be my guide in the year ahead.

 

To follow the weekly exploits of the Mayor of Shipston, please see the link below:

Mayor of Shipston on Stour | Facebook.