Dear Members,
This summer brings a cautious (and hopefully irreversible) optimism that is usually signified by the herald of spring. There is no doubt that the last year and a half has tested and challenged every one of us in every role in our lives.
It is with that at the forefront of my mind that I would like to thank Martin Richards our outgoing Chairman. To steer the association through such a year and an election was possibly as hard as the job of Chairman could ever be. I pay tribute to him and wish him well with all his future endeavours. I also pay tribute to his officer team, Marion, Rahul, Chloe, and Frances who created events and organised campaigning under extraordinary circumstances. Praise also goes to our retiring President and County Councillor Tina Mountain, her unwavering years of commitment to the party and public service were deservedly marked by Her Majesty in the birthday honours.
Final thanks are reserved for Chris Grayling MP and Cllr Bernie Muir for their tireless service to our community now and during the pandemic.
As the unlocking of our lives brings many new beginnings to us all, Epsom & Ewell CA can begin to look to the future. I am immensely pleased to say we retain the experience of Marion and Rahul and welcome Kieran Persand as our new DCP. Kieran stood in the recent local elections, he is politically astute and brings energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. We are also very honoured to have Lord Andrew Sharpe back on the team as President, his wisdom, demeanour, and unrivalled experience is a fabulous asset to us all.
So, at last we can all being to make plans again, and nowhere is that truer than at EECA. There is an office revamp under way, a programme of social events and fundraisers, we are building a strategy for the 2023 elections and there will be a relaunch of our CWO branch and CPF discussion group. I would love you to get involved. The EECA is here for you and only functions because of you, the members. Whether you’re interested in socialising, political discussion, campaigning, or all of the above there is something for you to get involved with.
As your new Chairman I hope to meet you all very soon, together we can achieve so much!
All the very best,
Emma
