New mayor keen to help Sleaford revive after its Covid19 slumber

Coun Brand had been Deputy Mayor for the past year and replaces Coun Adrian Snookes, whose mayoral events raised £750 for Sleaford Youth Centre and Hollies Animal Rehoming Trust and £220.23 for the Castlefields project.

Coun Snookes said: “Being Mayor is a demanding role but a very interesting and fulfilling one and I am thankful and proud to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Sleaford.”

Coun Brand has served as Deputy Mayor twice, first under Coun Jan Mathieson and then under Coun Snookes.

He said: “This civic year is going to be radically different. The reality is functions will not really get off the ground until early next year and there will be a change in complexion and tone.”

He hoped to re-awaken Sleaford from its post-lockdown slumbers with activities celebrating the town such as a St Denys’ Market in September and a photo competition.

After life as a teacher, Coun Brand spent the last 20 years or so involved with the professional training and accreditation of university lecturers.

Retiring 10 years ago, he and wife Harriott moved to Sleaford from Huntingdon and “fell in love with the place”. He said: “We had visited lots of places in Lincolnshire but not Sleaford. Harriott, who is an artist, discovered the Hub (now the National Centre for Craft and Design) and has been an exhibition technician there since then.”

“Sleaford is a great town with a lot of history,” he said. As a member of Sleaford and District Civic Trust, he is on the group looking at developing the castle site with the town council and he is also an unaligned North Kesteven district councillor.

He would also like to see the town’s cemetery developed with nature and history trails and St Denys’ Churchyard used as a place for quiet reflection. He is keen to renew visits with Sleaford’s twin towns in France and Germany.

Coun Robert Oates was elected as deputy mayor and Coun Brand felt they will work well together, saying: “I am looking forward to watching the Town Council becoming more active within the community.”