Councillor Christine Catterall, who represents East Wickham ward, became the London Borough of Bexley’s 61st Mayor at the Council’s Annual Meeting last night (21 May). 

The new consort is Mr Dave Curtois. 

Councillor Catterall is the 73rd person to hold the title of Mayor of Bexley since the old Borough of Bexley received its charter in 1937.

The new Mayor moved to Bexley in 1988 and is deeply entrenched in the community.  

Her daughters and son were all born at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup and attended local schools.

Councillor Catterall was first elected as a councillor in 2014 and was chairman of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) for seven years. She has worked hard to prepare Bexley’s next generation, serving as a modern language teacher at a secondary school in the borough for 37 years.

Councillor Catterall will soon retire to devote her time to her mayoral year and her family.

The Mayor said:

I am proud and honoured to serve as the Mayor of Bexley. This community has been my home for nearly four decades and I am committed to working tirelessly to support and uplift our residents. Together, we can achieve great things for Bexley."

She is an avid cyclist and acts as a ride leader for British Cycling, and is also an advocate of Bexley’s art scene, supporting Bexley’s young musicians and visiting local theatres when possible.

The Mayor appointed Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson, who represents Crook Log Ward, as her Deputy Mayor and Mr John Ward-Wilson as her Consort. The Mayor has appointed Rev’d Yunghee Koh from St Michael’s Church East Wickham as her Chaplain. 

The Mayor has announced that she will be working throughout her Mayoral year to raise funds for two local charities, Age UK Bexley and  Bexley Moorings, as well as supporting other local charities and good causes throughout the year.