Cheshire East Council has elected a new mayor who has spent 50 years working in local government - often representing Crewe and the surrounding area.

Councillor David Marren (Independent), who represents Shavington, was handed the chain of office yesterday (May 18), by outgoing mayor - Councillor Sarah Pochin.

This happened during a ceremony at Tenants' Hall, Tatton Park, Knutsford.

Mr Marren previously worked as an executive director at Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council. He began working for local government in 1972 for Stafford Borough Council.

The location of the mayor's ceremony, Tenants' Hall, Tatton Park, Knutsford (Cllr Sarah Pochin).

As the twelfth mayor for the borough, Cllr Marren takes office after two Covid interrupted years during where a number of civic engagements had to be cancelled or postponed.

Cllr Marren was proposed by Cllr Arthur Moran and seconded by Cllr Suzie Akers-Smith.

The event was attended by members of the council and a number of town mayors from across the borough.

Cllr Marren said: "The last two years have been very difficult ones for everyone, and I would like to pay tribute to the council's achievements in supporting the Cheshire East community through Covid.

"I pay particular tribute to our staff, who have worked tremendously hard in very difficult circumstances. As a former local government officer, myself, I can appreciate the challenges that they have had and continue to have."

The Shavington councillor paid tribute to outgoing mayor Cllr Sarah Pochin.

Cllr Sarah Pochin organised a vigil for the people of Ukraine. The people of Crewe raised their torches to show solidarity (Ryan Parker).

Mrs Pochin organised the vigil for Ukraine at Crewe Market Hall soon after the Russian invasion.

Sarah Pochin told Nub News at the time: "As Mayor of the borough I felt that it was entirely appropriate to invite everybody to come for a time of reflection and show solidarity for the country of Ukraine."

Cllr Marren added that he would be using his one year term in office to raise money for Ukrainian refugees. 

He hoped to 'shine a light' on the many amazing charities and community organisations in the borough, the inspirational schools and youth groups and the thousands of volunteers and innovative businesses to celebrate their achievements and raise their profile.

Cllr Marren is a former mayor of Nantwich and a long-standing member of the council, first elected in 2011.

He has sat on several committees and will now stand down as a director of Orbitas, the council's arms-length bereavement services company.

Cheshire East's new mayor and mayoress (wife), David and Belinda Marren (Belinda Ryan).

Mr Marren's wife Belinda Marren becomes his consort and the ceremony was attended by his son Paul and daughter Joanne.

Cllr Rod Fletcher (Alsager), will serve as deputy mayor of Cheshire East. He was unable to attend the ceremony due to feeling unwell.

READ MORE: What's on in Crewe this weekend? Local venues providing quality entertainment Friday - Sunday

READ MORE:

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Crewe Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.