Former Hastings mayor honoured for '˜tireless service'

Maureen Charlesworth (Con) will be awarded with the Freedom of the Borough of Hastings after councillors unanimously agreed to Tory leader Liam Atkins’ motion at a Hastings Borough Council meeting on Wednesday night (April 13).

“Her dedication to civic life is further evidenced by her tireless service to volunteer organisations and charity groups such as the chess congress, the Hastings trolley bus restoration group, president of the Hastings Week committee, veterans associations, hoteliers associations, SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force Families Association), the Royal British Legion and many more besides,” Mr Atkins said in his motion.

Cllr Charlesworth was first elected in 1989, representing St Helens Ward, and has since represented Central St Leonards and currently Maze Hill since 2002.

The long-serving councillor spent two years as deputy mayor from 2004 to 2006 before four as mayor between 2006 and 2010.

The Freedom of the Borough cannot be given to a sitting councillor, and as Cllr Charlesworth is not standing for re-election, she will be presented with a scroll awarding her the honour at the annual council meeting on Wednesday, May 18.

When the Tory stalwart announced her political retirement in January, she said: “It has been an honour and privilege to serve the people of Hastings and St Leonards.”

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