Richmond Online - 
The Mayor - Councillor Judith Steggles
Mrs Judith Steggles was inaugurated as Richmond’s 340th Mayor on Monday, May 19th. 2008.
Judith has been a town councillor representing East Ward since 2003, after retiring from Hurworth School where she taught English. During that time she has been Deputy Mayor, lead councillor for Richmond’s town centre floral displays and Deputy Chair of Planning.
In her spare time Judith reads and provides continuity for Richmond and the Dales Talking Newspaper for the Blind. She is a trustee for the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Support Group, a national medical charity which was founded in Richmond. She is also a member of Richmond School’s Trustees, chair of the King’s Church Executive Committee and 1st Richmond Scout Group, a member of the town’s two twinning associations and a member of Richmond Open Spaces Appeal (ROSA). Her mayoral charities for this year reflect her involvement and are the Alzheimers’ Society, the Local Talking Newspaper and the EDS Support Group.
Judith is looking forward to various exciting events which are due to take place during the coming year - the Freedom Parade for the Yorkshire Regiment; 40th Anniversary Parade of the Irish Rangers; a visit by the football team from our twinned town in France, Saint Aubin Du Cormier; and 20 guests from Vinstra, Nord Fron another of our twinned towns which is in Norway. There will be a full programme of interesting visits to our museums, castle, station, Georgian theatre, trips up the Dale and a Civic Reception to name but a few. The main celebrations for the 750th Anniversary of the Franciscans in Richmond will be at the end of September culminating in the feast of Saint Francis on 4th October. However, there are Franciscan walks taking place most weeks throughout the Summer.
Last year our Mayor John Robinson played host to the Mayor of Annapolis in Maryland U.S.A. She has invited Judith to visit Annapolis as this year is their 300th Anniversary of their charter signed by our Queen Anne. Francis Nicholson from Downholme founded Annapolis and he became a freeman of Richmond. Their Lord Baltimore has family links with Kiplin Hall and so there are many things which we share with Annapolis.
Judith and her husband John have just been to York where they met Prince Andrew who was celebrating 100 years of the Territorial Army, naming a locomotive and being the first member of the Royal family to attend a royal twenty one gun salute for the Queen’s official birthday. It was quite a historic occasion.
Locally in Richmond there are plans to upgrade the indoor market and to improve the style and layout of the outdoor market. The plans are quite ambitious and expensive but there are grants available when further consultations and considerations are made.
Judith would like to make a difference in some significant way during her year in office. She is most grateful for all the letters and cards she received on her election as Mayor and from the overwhelming support of so many people at Mayor-Making.
