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Chesterfield's New Mayor, "I Will Do My Best To Make Chesterfield Proud Of Me"
In a sometimes emotional evening, in front of family and friends last Wednesday, 14th May, Cllr Alexis Diouf became the 374th Mayor of Chesterfield.  A local councillor since 2003, Senegal-born Alexis (left), had previously told The Chesterfield Post that he was very much looking forward to becoming Chesterfield's First Citizen - having lived in the town for over 33 years after marrying a local lady, Vickey-Anne.Cllr Ray Russell, Leader of the Lib Dem party, made the nomination at Wednesday's council meeting, telling the Chamber that he was "Very proud to be nominating Chesterfield's very first black African Mayor." Cllr Russell went on to pay tribute to Cllr Diouf, telling the story of how he had been "The first member of his family to go to school - and had to walk 12 miles a day, to and from, in order to gain an education" joking that, "It had been really brilliant training for his later political career - tramping round the streets looking for votes!" Despite their political differences, Cllr Diouf was revealed to be a good and longtime friend of former MP Tony Benn with Cllr Russell saying that "Respect had always prevailed." Praising Cllr Diouf's contribution to local political life, Cllr Russell referred to him as a "Thoughtful and reliable decision maker, who had shown the strength of character to be a suitable candidate to be Mayor of the Borough." Seconding the nomination, Leader of the Council, John Burrows added that he was "Honoured to second Cllr Alexis Diouf's selection and endorse everything Cllr Russell has said. They will make an excellent First Citizens." Talking of Vickey-Anne, Cllr Burrows told the Chamber that she was a Cestrefeldrian by birth, having been born on Walgrove Road and, having met Alexis whilst they were both in Canada visiting relatives, had then pursued him to Senegal where Alexis realised she was serious about him!" The rest as they say, is history and, after a career here and abroad in teaching and, with family now grown with families of their own, Vickey-Anne has recently set up a choir and begun teaching French to nursery children. She also runs her own cake making business. Cllr Burrows ended by wishing the new Mayoress, "A joyous year standing alongside Alexis." After a unanimous vote around the Chamber, Cllr Diouf was duly elected Mayor - and taken to the Parlour to be robed. On his return he made his first speech of the Mayoral year, and in a heartfelt and self depreciating tribute, began by saying, "Who would have thought that the little boy chasing goats in Senegal would end up here today?" His Worship then added that "Various circumstances have collided to get me here today. Senegal gave me the education and I am delighted to see the High Commisioner of Senegal here today and I'd like to thank the people of Chesterfield for adopting me." He went on to pay tribute to those who had inspired him in his professional life, singling out the late Cllr (and former Mayor) Nicky Qazi, "He was my mentor when I began and I will be grateful to him forever. Thank you too to Cllr Rusell for the nomination - when he was talking I wondered if he was really talking about me?" The new Mayor of Chesterfield went on to pay tribute to his upbringing, saying that his dad hadn't wanted him to go to school, "As the eldest, I would have been more use to him in the fields than 'wasting my time' in school! "Education opened doors for me. My parents taught me that the world doesn't owe me a living. I am sorry that my mum couldn't be here today, but I am glad my sister is here." He ended by saying that he, "Is prepared to do whatever it takes to make Chesterfield proud of me - everything I have is here in Chesterfield." Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of the Council, then thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Paul Christopher Stone and Mayoress Mrs Barbara Wallace - and they were presented with a record of their Mayoral year - along with Former Mayor and Mayoress badges.
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RECENT STORIESCHESTERFIELD RECEIVES VISIT FROM NAMIBIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER - NEW LOOK FOR AN OLD FAVOURITE - TRIBUTES PAID TO FORMER MAYOR OF CHESTERFIELD, MAYOR ATTENDS EVENT CELEBRATING OPENING DOORS FOR YOUNG CARERS - NAMIBIAN COMMONWEALTH BRONZE MEDALLIST MEETS THE MAYOR - 'I AM VERY LUCKY!' FORMER MAYOR THANKS CHESTERFIELD FOR ITS SUPPORT - CHESTERFIELD'S NEW MAYOR PARADES THROUGH THE TOWN - WELCOMING CHESTERFIELD'S NEW MAYOR AND MAYORESS - MAYORS APPEAL FUNDRAISER AT THE WINDING WHEEL - TRIBUTES PAID TO HON ALDERMAN MICHAEL CAULFIELD - ANNUAL PROCESSION OF WITNESS TAKES PLACE - TOWN TURNS OUT TO SEE MAYOR PARADE TO CIVIC SERVICE - CHESTERFIELD'S NEW MAYOR, Cllr PAUL STONE, TAKES "IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE" HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR LEAVES OFFICE - BUY A POPPY AND WEAR IT WITH PRIDE! CHESTERFIELD REMEMBERS - ROYAL CELEBRATION FOR OUR DIAMOND COUPLES - LOCAL SCHOOL TREATS THE MAYOR - STAVELEY ARMED FORCES DAY SOLDIERS ON - CHESTERFIELD BASED REGIMENT RECEIVE TOWN'S HIGHEST HONOUR - VETERAN TAKES A HIKE FOR THE MAYOR- MAYOR CELEBRATES AT CIVIC SERVICE - INTRODUCING THE NEW MAYOR AND MAYORESS OF CHESTERFIELD - A PIECE OF CIVIC HISTORY FOR JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS - FAIRTRADE GOES BANANAS IN CHESTERFIELD - TALENT ON TOUR IN CHESTERFIELD - CHESTERFIELD APPRENTICES GAIN EMPLOYMENT - A HEROES WELCOME IN CHESTERFIELD - THE MAYOR HARPS ON FOR CHARITY - THE TALENT ON SHOW IS A CREDIT TO CHESTERFIELD - MEETING OF THE MAYORS - MAYOR AND MAYORESS VISIT BIBLE EXHIBITION - MAYOR AND MAYORESS ENJOY A BEAUTY-FUL EVENING-The Mayor and Mayoress recently paid a visit to the Therapy Lounge, Hasland Road, to officially present them with Collin Resultime 5 Star Salon of Distinction Award. More... PRIDE OF CHESTERFIELD - FORMER MAYOR THANKS CHESTERFIELD FOR KINDNESS AND CASH - REMEMBERING WHAT'S GONE HASLAND ALLOTMENT GOES GREEN BY SPENDING PENNIES - SURPRISE FOR CIVIC SECRETARY - FORCES SHARE LIFE WITH CHESTERFIELD - MAYOR FLIES THE FLAG ABROAD - TOWN PAYS ITS RESPECTS TO FORMER MAYOR - CHESTERFIELD ARMED FORCES DAY 2011 - FORMER CHESTERFIELD MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR DIES - CROWDS TURN OUT FOR CHURCHES - MICK BAGSHAW, CIVIC THANKS - THE START OF THINGS TO COME - NEW MAYOR'S PARADE BRINGS TOWN TO A STANDSTILL - SO WHO IS THE NEW MAYOR OF CHESTERFIELD? - THE OUTGOING MAYORS SPEECH - NEW MAYOR TAKES THE OATH - ON PARADE FOR THE MAYOR - THE MAYOR DRAWS AT THE B2NET - PASTORS, POTATOES AND POPPIES - THE MAYORAL WEEK - PASTORS, POTATOES AND POPPIES - THE MAYORAL WEEK - A DAY TO REMEMBER AND RESPECT - FESTIVE FUNDRAISING WITH THE MAYOR AND MAYORESS - PRIDE OF CHESTERFIELD - IN THE COURSE OF ANOTHER BUSY A BUSY WEEK - TABLE TOP SALE AND FAYRE - CHESTERFIELD DOING WELL - Our Discussion with His Worship the Mayor of Chesterfield this week began on the subject of the Development of Chesterfield. More... COUNTING CUPPAS- So, just HOW many cups of tea will the Mayor drink during official engagements in his year of office? More... THE MAYOR AND THE ARMED FORCES. Chesterfield has very close links with all the Armed Forces and those ties remain something which the Town is immensely proud of. THE MAYOR'S FIRST COLUMN - |
