MP pays tribute to outgoing Mayor

Hemel MP Mike Penning pays tribute to retiring Mayor Catherine Appleby and welcomes the election of new Mayor of Dacorum, Cllr Brian Ayling.

Attending last night’s Annual Meeting of Dacorum Borough Council, Mike Penning joined leading Councillors by paying his own tribute to retiring Mayor, Catherine Appleby.

“Catherine has served the Borough well in her year as Mayor and raised an impressive amount for her Mayor’s charity – The Hospice of St Francis. We have met at numerous functions throughout the year and have both been impressed at the wide range of organisations within the Borough and the dedication and commitment of the people running them.

“I understand that Catherine has served as Mayor three times and has been a Councillor for over 30 years. That dedication and service to the community is highly commendable and I wish her all the best for her retirement – although it is hard to imagine her sitting back with her feet up.

“I also welcome the election of Apsley and Corner Hall councillor, Cllr Brian Ayling as the new Mayor of Dacorum. He and his wife, Pat, have a tremendously exciting and rewarding year ahead and I look forward to working with them over the coming year.

“I wholeheartedly support Brian’s choice of Mayor’s charity in the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. IRHH provides much needed support to so many people locally and I offer Brian my wholehearted support in his charity fundraising activities.”