New Mayor of Ashford looks ahead to supporting young people in the borough

This summer saw the inauguration of the new Ashford Borough Mayor, as Beaver Ward Member Cllr Lyn Suddards begins her term in office.

Raised from a military family and having lived in Malaysia & Hong Kong for long periods of her childhood, Cllr Suddards started her career by training as a general nurse and then a mental health nurse and psychodrama psychotherapist.

After 35 years in the NHS she retired to Ashford from London in 2010 and visited Cameroon, annually for five years, teaching treatment for mental illness in remote villages where she was supported by St Mary’s Church and residents of Ashford through fundraising.

In 2019, Cllr Suddards was selected by the Ashford Labour Party to represent Beaver Ward and was successfully elected to Ashford Borough Council in 2019 and again in 2023.

Lyn’s chosen charity this year is Sk8side, a charity interest group that offers a free service for young people and provides them with an empowering and nurturing environment where they can develop as individuals and gain skills as they go into young adulthood.

Located by The Stour Centre in a small hub by the skate park and also at the pavilion at Tenterden Recreation Ground, Sk8side provides free after school activities and a free hot meal for 11-18 year olds through a small amount of funding from Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council.

Members help and support each other whilst developing skate boarding skills and can also enjoy other activities such as learning to cook, arts and crafts, music and various sports. Joining is the easiest part, simply pop by the hub and sign-up to get started or visit the Sk8side website for more information.

During the school holidays, Sk8side provides an extensive programme of activities for children including outdoor trips with Ninja Warrior, Flip Out and bowling just some of the outings planned this summer.

As Lyn explains: “I have chosen this charity because of the way young people attach themselves here.

“Often this is the first time they have felt accepted and belonging. The funding is inadequate for the staffing we need and resources this needs to grow and develop. As well as fundraising, I’ll be working with their team of volunteers to promote this wonderful organisation and find some ongoing sponsorship.”

Cllr Suddards is planning to visit every ward in the borough during her term and is looking forward to participate in as many events as possible, particularly those involving the youth.

Cllr Suddards with her beloved Benji

Lyn continues, “It is an interesting time in Ashford at the moment with a much more ethnically diverse community than ever before, which is a joy to see. I hope that over my term this change will be reflected in the civic and ceremonial activities that will take place.”

The Mayor will be supported by her husband, Cllr Charles Suddards who was elected to the council in 2017 representing Victoria Ward and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

They have two children and four grandchildren together and people still approach Charles, remembering him as the ‘lovely man’ from the ‘Olde Sweet Shoppe’ which was open for many years in Ashford’s high street. Lyn will be supported by his love and humour. The lease of the shop ended during the pandemic so it did not reopen after 10 years.

To all residents of the borough

“Lots of people are doing many things in small and large ways to make Ashford a better place to live. If you know someone you believe just goes that extra mile, please write to me via the Mayor’s office, so that I can present them with a Mayor’s framed certificate either here in the Mayor’s parlour for afternoon tea or have a surprise event which I will be happy to attend.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be your Mayor, a role that I see as promoting not only our borough but the people living in it. Thank you to those who put their trust in me to elect me. I look forward to meeting you all throughout my term so do stop and say hello if you see me out and about, which will most likely be with my beloved Cocker Spaniel Benji!”

As confirmed at the Mayor’s inauguration ceremony, Cllr Winston Michael who represents the Ashford Borough Ward of Goat Lees has been appointed as the new Deputy Mayor of Ashford.