Councillor Frances Leonard has become the Mayor of St Albans City and District for the next year.
She was elected to the post at a meeting of the full Council on Wednesday 25th May with Councillor Gill Clark continuing as Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Leonard, the 473rd Mayor of the City, said: “It’s a great honour to be elected Mayor. I am looking forward to representing the Council and highlighting the work that it does. Most of all, I am keen to meet and support the many volunteers, charities and community groups that do such important work for the St Albans District.”
The Mayor’s Consort will be her husband Dr Graham Leonard and her charity will be Herts Young Homeless.
Councillor Leonard, who takes over from Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, became a District Councillor when she was elected for the Sandridge Ward nine years ago. The daughter of a postwoman and quarry worker, she grew up in Warwickshire and was the first member of her family to go to University. She studied pharmacy at the University of London where she met her husband and the couple have a son and daughter and two granddaughters.
After working in north London, Councillor Leonard moved to St Albans in 1974 following her marriage and has held a number of jobs in the area. She has worked at Harperbury Hospital, Hemel Hempstead General Hospital and at Spire Harpenden Hospital where she manages the pharmacy department. She was also a committee member of the local branch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for 25 years.
In her spare time, she has been a bell ringer at St Albans Abbey. She has also supported a number of causes, including the Stroke Association and breast cancer charities, with sponsored bike rides and runs.
Councillor Leonard enjoys taking part in environmental projects in her ward and helps to organise the annual Rose Walk Big Lunch street party.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Gill Clark first became a District Councillor for Wheathampstead ward in 1999, serving until 2004. After a four-year break, she was elected again to the Council in 2008.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will continue with their ward duties during their term of office which is for one year.
(Source: St Albans City and District Council)
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