A NEW civic leader has put physical and mental wellbeing at the top of the agenda for his mayoral term.

On receiving the chains of office, Dean Ranyard pledged to work with fellow town councillors and officers to oversee the continued progress he believes Spennymoor has made in recent years.

Councillor Dean Ranyard, who has served on Spennymoor Town Council since May 2017, said: “It is a great honour and privilege to take up this position.

“I’d like to pay tribute to my colleague, councillor Neil Foster, who has served Spennymoor fantastically during one of the most challenging periods in our history.

“I am humbled to have been made Mayor of this special town, which has such an incredible sense of community.

“The people genuinely care for the area and fellow residents, and that is something I have not failed to notice since coming here,” said Cllr Ranyard, who has lived in the town since 2013.

“I feel like I’m very much part of a real community, along with my partner, councillor Beckie Calder, who is Spennymoor born and bred, and our four sons.

“Community and health are what I wish my mayoral year to be all about, and I will strive to serve every person, business and organisation during my term.”

Read more: Public invited to find out about and share views with Spennymoor Town Council

The 41-year-old train driver, who was inaugurated at the town council’s recent annual meeting, has selected two local charities close to his heart to support and raise funds for during his term.

ManHealth is an organisation that runs peer support groups across the region, working with men affected by depression and other mental health issues, sharing friendship and support over a common condition.

The second charity is Moors in the Community, recently launched as a community outreach programme alongside Spennymoor Town Football Club.

It works with a variety of people and groups across the town, with one of its main focuses being to enhance the physical, social and mental wellbeing of children and teenagers.

Cllr Ranyard added: “There are many fantastic groups and organisations operating across the town and I’m really looking forward to meeting the many hardworking volunteers running them and seeing just what they deliver for local people week in, week out.

“Having lost my dad to suicide as an eight-year-old child, I feel the work of ManHealth is something very close to my heart.

“Just over three out of four suicides are by men and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 35.”

Clly Ranyard said Moors in the Community builds on the “great work” of the town’s football club, which has risen from the Northern League to the National League North in a short period, “firmly putting Spennymoor on the map.”

He added: “This outreach work and a desire to do even more is a credit to them and a testament to how embedded they are within the community.”

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