New Beccles Town Council mayor ‘excited’ as she steps into role

Not only did this month’s elections see Christine Wheeler return to a Suffolk town council after a two-year break – but she’s now taking the reins as mayor.

Mayor Wheeler was chosen as the new mayor of Beccles Town Council on Tuesday, May 16.

She said: “I’m quite excited. It felt daunting to begin with, but I know the town council has a good team of people.

“I didn’t expect to become mayor originally, though as the election evening approached it was obvious I had a lot of support.”

Mayor Wheeler was chosen by the other town councillors – alongside her deputy, Cllr Colin Hill.

As mayor, it will be her responsibility to chair the council and represent it at civic events for the year 2023/2024.

She was chosen by the other town councillors – alongside her deputy, Cllr Colin Hill.

She continued: “It’s a big responsibility. The two main organisations I will be supporting are The May Centre, which provides activities for people with disabilities and the elderly, and Thirst Youth Hub.

“I wanted to raise money for people of different ages, and I suppose I’ve gone to both ends of the spectrum!”

Christine moved to Beccles when she was ten. She has lived in other Suffolk areas since then, but has been in Beccles for the last 25 years.

She is on the management committee of the May Centre, which runs activities for disabled people from its site at Common Lane in Beccles.

The town’s Thirst Youth Hub works to engage 11 to 18 year olds in the community from its building in Rigbourne Hill.

The new mayor is also excited about the perks that come alongside her role – including an invitation to a recent production by Beccles Choral Society, which she described as ‘amazing’, and the opportunity to judge stalls at the Beccles Food and Drink Festival this weekend.

Mayor Wheeler’s career was in the NHS, mostly as a manager in primary care.