Stratford's new chairman reveals links to his chosen good causes

After being presented with his chain of office at this week’s annual meeting of the council he also explained how he would be following a family tradition.

Cllr Cargill said: “What a privilege it is to serve this council. I am looking forward to this year although I am in no doubt it will be interesting and a challenge as Kathryn (his wife and consort) is also mayor of Alcester for her second term. You could say it is buy one get one free!

“In the 1980s, the rural district councils were subsumed into Stratford District Council and my father was actually chairman of Alcester Rural District Council so I am following in his footsteps.

“As is customary, I have the privilege of supporting some admirable organisations. The first is dementia and I’m sure we all know people who are affected.

“My local organisation, the Alcester Cafe, has been helping those with dementia for ten years now. We have been working together to create a permanent home for them and I hope we can create something special.

“I would also like to engage with other organisations throughout the district and would welcome an invitation to meet with them.”

In announcing his second charity, Cllr Cargill again referred to family links.

He added: “This is personal to me and may, at first glance, seem a curious cause to support due to our location being as far from the seas as it is possible to get.

“My direct connection is through my time as an officer in the Merchant Navy but my father’s family were fishing people from Arbroath in Scotland.

“The RNLI relies solely on donations for their often dangerous work and have saved over 140,000 lives in their 200-year history.”

Cllr Gill Forman (Con, Kinwarton) was elected vice-chair for the coming year and it was announced that former chairman Cllr Edward Fitter (Con, Quinton) had raised more than £2,500 for his charities LifeSpace and the Heart of England Forest.