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Bishop Auckland Town Council met on Tuesday 16 May 2023 for their Annual Meeting, at which they appointed the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2023-24. Cllr Sam Zair has been appointed as the 16th Mayor of Bishop Auckland, and Cllr Michael Siddle has been appointed Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2023-24.

Cllr Sam Zair said: “I am both honoured and delighted to have been chosen to represent Bishop Auckland Town Council as the 16th Mayor, I look forward to the year ahead and all the opportunities it may bring. I will be working with my fellow town councillors to ensure that the town council can address the needs of our constituents. ”

“During my term of office I wish to fundraise for two organisations, Alzheimer’s Society who provide dementia support in County Durham as it is a cause close to my heart and the Angel Trust as they are doing some great work to support our local communities within Bishop Auckland. I am planning a range of events including an afternoon tea event, and a ball, I hope to release the dates of these very soon.”

Deputy Mayor Cllr Siddle said: “It’s an honour to be chosen as the 2023-24 Deputy Mayor of Bishop Auckland Town Council, so soon after being Mayor. I will support the Mayor during their term, and I therefore I look forward to working together with the new Mayor for the people of Bishop Auckland.”

Outgoing Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Michael Siddle used his time as Mayor to raise £3,415.00 for Daisy Arts CIC to support their youth theatre group at Woodhouse Close. He handed over the cheque for fundraising at the Annual Parish meeting of Bishop Auckland last week.

To fundraise for Daisy Arts Cllr Siddle has hosted a number of events and activities, including his Valentines Ball at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, catered by MasterChef contestant Mike Bartley, a Meet the Mayor afternoon tea at Auckland Castle, a fun Quiz night at the Pollards Inn, as well as the ‘Steaming from the Past to the Future’ where art works were presented by talented artist Derek Siddle, and key note speakers earlier this month. All events were well attended, and local people and organisations were generous in their donations of raffle prizes which helped to raise such a great sum of money.

Cllr Michael Siddle said: “Being Mayor for 2022-23 has been wonderful. Bishop Auckland is a great place full of fantastic people and grass roots organisations who are all working really hard to make a difference for the people of the town. As Mayor I have been honoured to have met so many people, and attended so many events over my term of office, all of which have been really enjoyable. I was particularly honoured to have read proclamations for both HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee and to lead the towns tributes on her sad passing.”

“A special thank you goes to all those who supported my fundraising efforts by attending events and donating prize, especially to Derek who has put in an endless hours into preparing the paintings for the exhibition to support my fundraising. Thanks to you, we can ensure that those engaging on youth programmes offered by Daisy Arts can continue with their arts and culture journey, learning new skills, building confidences and new friendships, all so vital in providing encouragement to those attending the groups, improving their mental health and wellbeing.”

Jane Crawford, Director of Daisy Arts CIC said: “We were delighted that Michael chose to fundraise for our organisation. This additional funding means that we can cover ongoing costs and provide skilled artists to facilitate our weekly youth theatre group sessions from September through till summer 2024. Our Youth Theatre, now in its 26 year has supported hundreds of young people over the years, providing them with life skills and opportunities and we thank Cllr Siddle, the Town Council and all those that have given so generously to help a programme such as this continue.”