This evening at St Helen’s Church, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council elected a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Cllr Andrew Skinner, became the new Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames. Cllr Skinner represents Caldecott ward and spoke warmly about his chosen charity, the Abingdon Music Centre, praising the positive impact music can have on people’s lives.

The new Deputy Mayor is Victoria Walker, who represents the Fitzharris Wildmoor ward. She is a vaccine researcher at University of Oxford.

Cllr Rawda Jehanli completed her year as Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames. She said it had been “the greatest honour” to be Mayor.

As outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jehanli presented a number of awards. In a change from the usual practice, two local businesses were recognised for their help and support during the year —  The Crown and Thistle Hotel and The Hilton Garden Hotel.

Awards were also presented to Philip Bingham of Abingdon Food Bank, Martin Richards of the Scouts, and Holly Freeland of The Abingdon Bridge. The outgoing Mayor also thanked her cadets and chaplains for their support throughout the year.

Cllr Jehanli announced that over £6,000 had been raised for her chosen charity, Occtopus – Oxford Colon Cancer Trust.