04 July 2009The Council has a cricket loving ambassador after Cllr James Gaywood, Member for Hartley and Hodsoll Street, was elected as the new Chairman of Sevenoaks District Council.
The previous Chairman, Cllr Alison Cook, Member for Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway, is the new Vice-Chairman.
Cllr Gaywood has been a resident of the District for the past 25 years since moving to Hartley in 1982. Prior to that, after being educated at Shooters Hill Grammar School, he carried out his National Service in the Royal Air Force, and then continued his studies at Southampton and London Universities.
Cllr Gaywood worked as an industrial chemist, before moving to the area after being attracted by its unspoilt nature. He then worked as a commodity broker in the sugar industry in London for many years, and as a Sales and Marketing Director before running his own business as a Sales Consultant.
A keen sports fan, Cllr Gaywood has a special interest in cricket having been a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for 30 years. He also played club cricket and rugby for many years.
Cllr Gaywood has two children and six grandchildren, and has been married to his wife Patricia for 30 years
Cllr Gaywood was elected as a Member for Hartley and Hodsoll Street in 2003 after being persuaded to stand for election by a number of friends, and has served as Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, and Vice-Chairman of the Environment Select Committee on the District Council. He has also been Chairman of Hartley Parish Council since 2002.
During his year in office Cllr Gaywood will be looking to promote and extol the virtues of the District Council and meet as many people as possible. He will also support and raise the profile of the Brain and Spine Foundation, a charity set up to develop research, education and information programmes aimed at improving the prevention, treatment and care of people affected by disorders of the brain and spine.
This is a charity that is particularly close to Cllr Gaywood’s heart, who, after having a number of operations on his spine admits he may not have been around today without the care and support they provide.
"Being chosen as Chairman of the Council is a great honour", says Cllr James Gaywood. "The chance to meet so many people in and around the District, and help them understand how the Council works, will be hard work, but ultimately promises to be very rewarding and something I am very much looking forward to."
Sevenoaks District Council's Chairman is the Council's principal ambassador representing the over 100,000 residents of the District, as well as the Council, at a wide range of local and regional events and supporting local charities and voluntary organisations.
The election took place at the annual meeting of the Council on Tuesday 22 May.
