The Mayor of Elmbridge
At the Annual General Meeting of Elmbridge Borough Council, held on Wednesday 18 May 2011, |Councillor John Sheldon was formally elected to serve as Mayor of Borough for the period 2011 - 2012.
John was born in Cambridge and educated at the County High School. After National Service in the RAF he joined the Royal Naval Scientific Service, alternating between GCHQ (home to the Colossus computers), and the Post Office Research Station. From there a bursary allowed full time study at Imperial College, where he graduated in Electrical Engineering.
A career devoted to submarine detection began at Admiralty Research Laboratory, Teddington, with fundamental research into long range sonar, that was hugely successful. Fifteen years of this experience was rounded off with a shift to Military Operational Analysis, at the Royal Military College of Science. During this period John met and married his wife Mary, and set up house in Weybridge. Subsequently, with their two young daughters,Polly and Emma, they moved to La Spezia, Italy, for a four year contract with the NATO Centre for Undersea Research. The environment was productive in more senses than one, insofar as the family was increased during this time with the birth of a son William. After returning to London, for a posting to MoD Headquarters, the family moved to Hersham, where John and Mary remain to this day.
In1984 John left his post as Assistant Director Naval Analysis to join industry, becoming Technical Director of Bendix Ocean Systems, who had developed a long range sonar exploiting the successful techniques researched at Teddington. This was a contender to equip the Royal Navy's new Merlin helicopter, but despite its outstanding performance, it was not chosen.
This was a disappointing outcome, but retirement at age 60 was imminent, offering the chance of resuming the many other interests John had earlier pursued, that included restoring a vintage Rolls-Royce and a historic canal boat, the latter used for campaigning to save waterways under threat in the 1960s. Awaiting further attention were also rowing, music, cooking, writing, cultivating chrysanthemums, and inventing. However local government beckoned, and in 1995 came election to Hersham South Ward, which he has represented ever since.
John's earliest Council service was in Housing, bringing contact with Elmbridge's exceptional Community Support Services, and planting a determination to help the social groups, young and old, who do not enjoy the high standard of living common in the Borough. Subsequently John served on the Environmental Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, the Standards Committee, and for some years he has been Chairman of the Older Peoples Advisory Body (formerly Age Concern Elmbridge). From 2006 to 2008 he was a member of the Cabinet as holder of the Social Portfolio, and since then he has been an active contributor to strategy planning for the Council's Administration. In Hersham he has been a governor at Burhill and Bell Farm Schools, campaigned successfully for road improvements, defended Whiteley Village's crucial planning applications, championed residents protesting at an unpopular local development, and was a founder, builder, and fundraiser for the Hersham Young Peoples' Centre, of which he remains a trustee and Hon Secretary. He has been Deputy Mayor for the past year.
John claims a personal philosophy inspired by commonsense and compassion. The first is assisted by the rational approach of science and engineering, the second conferred by deep concern for the less fortunate in the lottery of life. He has chosen for his Mayor's Charity the |Sam Beare Weybridge Hospice, a cherished facility that has helped many with terminal illness to end their lives peacefully, with support for the bereaved families. Aware of many other good causes in need of support, John intends to maintain ACE (Assisting Communities in Elmbridge), which gives vital help to organisations in the Borough. The Mayor will launch his Charity Appeal on behalf of Sam Beare Weybridge Hospice at The Ship Hotel, Weybridge on Wednesday 25 May 2011 at 11.00am.
Should you wish to support the Mayor's Charity or if you would like further details |please contact the Mayor's secretary or |look online for volunteering opportunities and future events.
|Protocol regarding the Mayor's Office and External Fundraising Activities
You can view |Councillor Sheldon's Webpages
|Councillor Mrs. Janet Turner was elected as the Deputy Mayor
|A list of all past Mayors of Elmbridge is available online.
