A DEDICATED Evesham community servant and former town mayor has been named as Wychavon District Council’s new chairman.
Coun Robert Raphael was handed the chain during Wychavon’s annual council meeting last Wednesday (May 17).
It is the second time Coun Raphael has carried out the role, having previously been chairman in 2021 towards the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 53-year-old is a key part of Evesham’s community having served on Evesham Town Council since 1992 and been mayor of the town twice.
He is also a trustee of Evesham Volunteer Centre and volunteers his time to help with various groups and events in the town.
Coun Raphael has set himself a challenge of visiting every parish in the district during his year as chairman to celebrate Wychavon’s 50th anniversary next April.
“To serve as chairman once is a privilege but to do it twice really is an honour,” he said.
“With Wychavon turning 50 next April, I am looking forward to getting out and meeting people and celebrating the wonderful place that is our beautiful district.”
Coun Raphael’s mother Diana – also a long-serving member of the Evesham community known locally as ‘Mrs Evesham’ – will accompany the new chairman on official duties. Coun George Duffy was elected vice chairman.
He was handed the chain by outgoing chairman Coun Alex Sinton whose year has been marked by royal events.
Coun Sinton started his year as chairman representing the district at Platinum Jubilee celebrations before leading Wychavon in mourning following the death of HM The Queen and then proclaiming a new monarch.
He rounded off his official duties by representing Wychavon at the recent coronation celebrations for HM King Charles III.
During his year Coun Sinton carried out 113 official engagements and visited more than 60 schools across the district to promote Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Plan.
Almost 1,000 children have been given official Wychavon eco badges because of these visits.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me during my year as Chairman,” Coun Sinton said.
“As well as meeting Princess Anne three times, I also met some amazingly dedicated local people, many of them volunteers, and the work they do really does make Wychavon District the fantastic place it is to live.”
