Cllr Frederick Neale receives the chain of office from previous mayor Cllr Denise Jones
Cllr Frederick Neale has been sworn in as Mayor of Christchurch a year earlier than expected.
The mayor-elect for 2015-16 was Cllr Nick Geary, but a condition of taking the position was that he had to be elected on 7 May. However, due to the sad death of a candidate in Nick Geary’s ward, North Highcliffe and Walkford, the election there was suspended until 18 June.
As the mayor for 2015-16 needed to take office at the annual council meeting on 19 May, Nick Geary was not eligible to take up the post and Frederick Neale stepped in.
Cllr Neale was elected as an Independent councillor for the Jumpers ward in May 2007, and has twice been reselected to represent the ward.
Born in Kingsbury, Middlesex, he moved to Christchurch some 30 years ago with his wife Barbara following many enjoyable visits to the area.
He had a long and successful career in the printing industry in London before taking up the position of senior lecturer at Bournemouth and Poole College, a post he held for some 17 years.
In his spare time he has always been a very willing volunteer and has undertaken many roles, including that of a local Cub Scout leader in the town centre and a director trustee of Age Concern Christchurch. He is an active member of the Friends of Christchurch Railway Station, where he holds the post of chairman, and together with his fellow volunteers maintains the high standards of floral displays at the station.
He also takes an active role in the local history of Christchurch and is the council’s Champion for Heritage. For nine years he served as governor at Christchurch Junior School.
His nominated charities are the Friends of Christchurch Station, Age Concern Christchurch and Christchurch & District Scouts.
Cllr Trish Jamieson was elected to serve as deputy mayor.
