Council

At the Annual Meeting held on Tuesday 24th May 2022, Councillor Dean Ranyard was inaugurated as Town Mayor for the Civic year.

At the Council meeting held on Monday 25th May 2020, Councillor Neil Foster was inaugurated as Town Mayor for the Civic year.

During his term in office, 2021/22, Councillor Neil Foster raised £3,770.17 in aid of his charity appeal, Spennymoor Town Band.

Spennymoor Town Band has been at the heart of the community for most of my Cllr Fosters life. From the Town Gala to the Big Meeting, the Civic service to the tree lighting, performances in the Town Hall and the Brewery field. As a fourth-generation miner Brass music is something he has grown up with.

In recent times the Band has gone from strength to strength representing the Town well beyond its boundaries. Strong leadership of Fiona Casewell and the passion of longstanding players and supporters fuels the desire to keep on improving. The aim to enthuse and encouraging both the young and the young at heart is key to continued success.

At the Council meeting held on Tuesday 22nd September 2020, Councillor Liz Maddison was inaugurated as Town Mayor for the remainder of the Civic year.

During her term in office, 2019/20, Councillor Elizabeth Wood raised £5,827.30 which was split equally between Spennymoor Learning Library and the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 28th May, 2019 saw the outgoing Mayor Clive Maddison present his nominated charity, Spennymoor Boxing Academy with a cheque for £10,001.75.

Councillor Elizabeth Wood was nominated Town Mayor for the ensuing year, with Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and Spennymoor Learning Library announced as her chosen charities.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 22nd May, 2018 saw the outgoing Mayor Ian Machin present his nominated charities, 1st Byers Green Scout Group and the Durham Mining Museum with cheques for £9,828.27 each.

Councillor Clive Maddison was nominated Town Mayor for the ensuing year, with Spennymoor Boxing Academy being announced as his chosen charity.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 16th May, 2017 saw the outgoing Mayor Derek Taylor present his nominated charities, NSPCC and the Ghurka Welfare Trust with cheques for £3,242.37 each.

Councillor Ian Machin was nominated Town Mayor for the ensuing year, with 1st Byers Green Scout Group and Durham Mining Museum being announced as his chosen charities.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 24th May, 2016 saw the outgoing Mayor Councillor Patricia Lawton present her nominated charities, Spennymoor Dementia Friends and Papyrus with cheques for £4,166.58 each. The Mayor remarked that it had been a pleasure and an immense privilege to  serve as Town Mayor for the last 12 months. During her term of office, representing the people and communities.

Councillor Derek Taylor was nominated Town Mayor for the ensuing year, with the Gurkha Welfare Trust and the NSPCC being announced as his chosen charities.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 26th May 2015 saw the outgoing Mayor Councillor Geoff O’Hehir present his chosen charity, Spennymoor Sporting Academy with a cheque for £10,001.51 with a possible £1,950 still to be donated.

Councillor Patricia Lawton was nominated as Town Mayor for the ensuing year, with Spennymoor Dementia Friends and Papyrus UK being announced as her chosen charities

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 27th May, 2014 saw the outgoing Mayor Councillor Jeff Daley present his nominated charity, the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, Ward 4, Bishop Auckland Hospital with a cheque for £7662.18. The Mayor remarked that it had been a pleasure and an immense privilege to  serve as Town Mayor for the last 12 months. During his term of office, representing the people and communities and extolling the virtues of Spennymoor had always been to the forefront of his conversations in an effort to promote the Town in a very positive light.

Councillor Geoff O’Hehir was nominated Town Mayor for the ensuing year, with Spennymoor Sporting Academy being announced as his chosen charity.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 14th May 2013 saw the outgoing Town Mayor Councillor George Tolley present his nominated charity, The Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Trust with a cheque for £11,262.

Councillor Jeff Daley was nominated Town Mayor for the ensuing year. His chosen charity was the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, Ward 4, Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 22 May 2012 saw the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Bill Waters, present his nominated charity, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, with a cheque for £16,000. Lady Elsie Robson accepted the cheque on behalf of the Foundation. Councillor Waters said it was a pleasure to be Mayor again 30 years after he first held the position in 1981-1982. It had been a busy schedule and himself and his wife, Julia, were now looking forward to having a rest. He stressed that never got tired of helping to represent and promote the name of Spennymoor Town Council and the people of the parish. In that respect, he said, it had been a pleasure and a privilege. Councillor Waters thanked his Deputy, Councillor Tolley, and the staff at the Town Hall for their support during his year. He also recognised the support of all Members of the Council in fundraising activities. He recognised the support of his family throughout the year, and gave special thanks to the representatives of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Councillor Waters concluded by recognising the special qualities of Sir Bobby Robson and highlighting the work of the Foundation set up in his name. Lady Robson accepted the cheque and thanked everyone for the wonderful amount of money. Liz Luff, from the Foundation, then gave a brief summary of where some of the money raised has been spent in fighting cancer.

The Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 24 May 2011 saw the outgoing Mayor, Councillor John Parkin, present his nominated charity, the Great North Air Ambulance, with a cheque for £10,045. Councillor Parkin took the opportunity to say a few words and thank those who had supported him during his year as Mayor. He stated that himself and his wife, Julie, had had a wonderful time during their term of office, though they had worked hard to promote Spennymoor and raise money for his chosen charity. He made specific reference to two events during his year which had been particularly memorable. One was the signing of the Obidos Charter, which included making a video address to the Mayor of Obidos in Portugal in response to his welcoming Spennymoor into the European link. The second was the Civic Carol service which, although featuring exceptional singing and outstanding brass band performances may, he feared, be remembered for the fact that the fire alarm sounded twice during the performances requiring the evacuation of the building. Councillor Parkin then thanked all those groups, individuals and organisations which had helped him behind the scenes.

The Annual Council Meeting held on Tuesday 25 May 2010 saw the retiring Mayor, Councillor Miss Sarah Armstrong, tell the meeting that she had thoroughly enjoyed her year, although it had been hard work. She said that it had been good to experience the respect that the public has for the office of Town Mayor. She specifically acknowledged the help and support given to her by her Mother as Mayoress. Councillor Armstrong thanked all those who had also helped and supported her during the year, before presenting a cheque to the Bishop Auckland Butterwick Hospice for £13,670.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jim Graham, congratulated Councillor Armstrong on her successful year as Mayor. He said she had been an excellent ambassador for the Town, showing honour and dignity at all of the events she had attended. The amount raised for her charity appeal was an example of her strong will and determination.

Nominations were then invited for Mayor for the year 2010-2011, following which Councillor Garry Heslop was duly elected. The Chain of Office was presented to Councillor Heslop by the outgoing Town Mayor. Councillor Heslop thanked everyone for showing the confidence in him by electing him as Town Mayor. He was honoured, and looked forward to working hard and being a credit in representing the people of Spennymoor. His chosen charity for the Civic Year would be the Great North Air Ambulance.

Councillor Bill Waters was appointed Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year. Councillor Waters said it was a great honour to be elected Deputy Town Mayor. He said he would endeavour to carry out the role to the best of his ability and pledged his total support to the Mayor.

Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Councillor Heslop resigned the office of Mayor in June 2010 and, at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 20th July 2010, Councillor John Parkin was elected Town Mayor. Councillor Parkin thanked fellow Councillors for his election and undertook to continue with the Great North Air Ambulance as his nominated charity

The Annual Council Meeting held on Tuesday 27 May 2009 saw the retiring Mayor, Councillor Ian Harrington, express profound and sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who helped him to raise a grand total of £8,252 which was divided equally between his two chosen charities – the Myasthenia Gravis Association and “Heel and Toe”.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jim Graham, congratulated Councillor Harrington on his excellent year in office, a position he had filled with honour and dignity. The amount raised was an example of his strong will and determination and on behalf of Council Members and staff he wished him well for the future.

Nominations were then invited for Mayor for the year 2009-2010, following which Councillor Sarah Armstrong was duly elected. The Chain of Office was presented to Councillor Armstrong by the outgoing Town Mayor.

Councillor Armstrong thanked everyone for attending and said how much she was looking forward to serving as Mayor for the forthcoming year. She appreciated the honour of becoming Town Mayor and, with the support of colleagues, she would do her utmost to be a credit to Spennymoor Town Council and the people of the Town. In taking over from Councillor Harrington she hoped she could perform her duties with as much grace and dignity and was looking forward to working hard for the people of Spennymoor. Her chosen charity for the Civic Year would be the Butterwick Hospice.

Councillor Garry Heslop was appointed Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year. Upon receiving the Chain, Councillor Heslop took the opportunity to thank his fellow Councillors for their support and vote of confidence in proposing him for the position. It was a great honour for him and his family and he pledged to support the Mayor and fulfil his responsibilities with enthusiasm and commitment, and promised to work hard and do his best for the people of Spennymoor.

The Annual Council meeting on 27th May 2008 saw the outgoing Mayor Councillor Mrs J.L.Wood proudly presented her nominated Charity, “The Great North Air Ambulance” with a cheque for £12,760.

Nominations for the incoming Mayor were then invited and Councillor Ian Harrington was duly elected Town Mayor for the Civic Year. The Chain of Office was then presented to Councillor Harrington by the outgoing Town Mayor.

Councillor Ian Harrington said that it was with a very real and deep sense of both pride and humility that he accepted the Chain of Office and the position of Town Mayor for the ensuing year. With the support of his wife Gillian as Mayoress, he aims to fulfill all those duties and responsibilities placed before him, to the best of his ability. The Mayor’s Charity Appeal this year would support two, very different, but equally worthy, causes – the Myasthenia Gravis Association (‘The Rag Doll Illness’) and the Conductive Education Centre “Step Forward Together.” Both of these were suggested to him by people from within the community of the Township and he hoped that the results of his fundraising would therefore have a direct impact within the community of our Township.

Councillor Sarah Armstrong was appointed Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.
Upon receiving the Chain, Councillor Armstrong took the opportunity to thank her fellow Councillors for their support and vote of confidence in proposing her for the position. She pledged to support the Town Mayor and fulfil her responsibilities with enthusiasm and commitment and promised to work hard and do her best for the people of Spennymoor as Deputy Town Mayor

The outgoing Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs. Sylvia Plews began by thanking her Council Colleagues for supporting her and giving generously of their time and effort to help make her Mayoral year and chosen charity appeal a success.
She presented a cheque for £11,525 to Drs. Henderson and Staines of Spennymoor Health Centre – these monies will be used to buy hydraulic examination couches for the benefit of the people of the town.

At the Annual Meeting of Spennymoor Town Council on Monday 21st May, 2007 Councillor Mrs. Joan Wood was appointed Town Mayor for the ensuing year.

Speaking after her appointment, Councillor Wood first took the opportunity to congratulate the outgoing Town Mayor for an excellent year of office.

She went on to say, that to serve the people of Spennymoor as Town Mayor is indeed a great privilege and a very great honour to wear the Chain of Office. She would wear the chain with the greatest pride and follow Mayors before her in upholding the Office of Mayor with dignity and diligence.
Councillor Mrs. Joan Wood announced her charity for the forthcoming year as THE GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE.

Councillor Ian Harrington was appointed as Deputy Town Mayor.

2006-2007- Mrs S.I. Plews

2005-2006 – Mrs C. Kennedy

2004-2005- J.C Culine MBE

2003-2004- Mrs E Summerson

2002-2003- A.R. Hawkes

2001-2002- J.R. Ferguson

2000-2001- J.M.Marr

1999-2000- J.W.Smith

1998-1999- J.V.Graham

1997-1998- A.Smith

1996-1997- P.Welsh

1995-1996- Mrs A.S. Fleetham

1994-1995- Mrs M.I. Lindsay

1993-1994- T. Irving

1992-1993- J.Parkin

1991-1992- J. Everson

1990-1991- E. Foster

1989-1990- F. Walker

1988-1989- Mrs. E.H. Ferguson

1987-1988- Mrs A.D. Mumford

1986-1987- G.T. Storey

1985-1986- E. Hughes

1984-1985- J.Kitson

1983-1984- Mrs M.J. Courtney-Shaw

1982-1983- Mrs E. Fisher

1981-1982- W. Waters

1980-1981- C. Dailey

1979-1980- C.H. Brayshaw

1978-1979- Mrs M. Campbell

1977-1978- F.A. Kenmir

1976-1977- J.A. Murray

1975-1976- J.C. Armstrong

1974-1975- Miss O.M. Dobson

1974—R.D. Long