Councillor Keith Sedgewick is set to become the city’s new Mayor at the annual Mayor making ceremony.
Councillor Sedgewick, who will be the 635th Mayor of Preston, a position which dates back to 1327 said:
“It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to become the Mayor of such an important, proud and historic city like Preston. As a city, Preston has great potential with important plans for the future and my wife and I are really looking forward to the Mayoral year ahead.
“We are particularly looking forward to meeting the people, businesses, voluntary and charitable organisations, schools and faith groups that all come together to make our wonderful city.
“I hope too, to raise some money for local charities and I have chosen Air Ambulance and the Preston District Veterans Council as my Mayoral charities. They are really worthy causes, doing some fantastic work in Preston. As a former serving member of the RAF myself, I hope that as Mayor I can help to raise the profile of ex-service men and women.”
Background information
1. The Mayor of Preston is an important and historic position. As the first citizen and civic figurehead of the city, the Mayor attends over 400 events every year.
2. Councillor Keith Sedgewick was born in Slough, Berkshire (then Buckinghamshire) of military parents. He moved with his parents to Leeds, and after his father had re-enlisted into the Royal Air Force, moved to RAF Watton, Norfolk (1952-55) subsequently with his parents to Royal Air Force (RAF) Laarbruch, Germany in (1955-57).
3. Keith himself joined the RAF in 1959 as a Boy Entrant (37th Entry) and retired in 1986 after 26 years of service in electrical/electronic engineering having served at : RAF Coningsby, RAF Marham, RAF College, Cranwell, RAF Strike Command, RAF Swanton Morley, and serving overseas in Germany, USA and Canada.
4. Keith joined BAe Systems at Warton and moved to Preston in June 1986 where he was employed in Project Management and Support. Keith retired in January 2008 after 23 years of service.
5. Keith was elected to Preston City Council in 2000 to represent the Ashton Ward. He has served as a Planning Committee member, Vice Chair of Resources and Environment Committees, has served as a Cabinet Member for Environment, and is currently Chair of the Employment Committee and also its Appeals Panel.
6. Keith is married to Patricia. They have a son and a daughter. Julian who works as a financial system software developer and programmer for BAe Systems, and Amanda who works as a Micro Biologist for DePuy CMW, a Blackpool company. Keith and Patricia also have two grandchildren.
7. As a volunteer Keith helped to set up initial Longsands Lane Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the early 1990’s. Keith was also Vice Chair of the Preston Community Health Council (CHC – an independent National Health Service Watchdog). Keith hopes to involve himself with issues related to ex-service men and women, homelessness, and to visit smaller voluntary organisations throughout the Mayoral year.
Date Updated: 07/05/09