Cllr Earwaker, Farnham Residents councillor for Farnham Firgrove since 2019, was nominated by Lib Dem Mark Merryweather and unanimously voted in as mayor at the Farnham Army Reserve Centre last Thursday.
He takes over as the town’s ceremonial leader after a two-year stint by past mayor Cllr Pat Evans, and has named Farnham ASSIST and the Waverley Abbey Trust as his chosen charities of the year.
Cllr Michaela Wicks was voted in as the deputy at the 2021 annual council meeting, and promises to “bring her own style and glamour” to the role, said her proposer Cllr Michaela Martin. They will both hold the role for the usual term of one year.
Cllr John Ward, who proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring mayor, said: “Cllr Evans has very ably carried out the mayor’s duties for the past two years, during which time she has raised funds for two fantastic local charities, space2grow and Hale Community Centre.
“No doubt it was not the mayoralty Cllr Evans expected when she took on the role in May 2019, but she has been an excellent supporter of the town during a very challenging time.”
Cllr Earwaker said it was an “immense honour and privilege” on taking up his new role, adding he was “looking forward to seeing as much as I can of the fantastic work this community does”.
During the mayoral year, as well as being the town’s first citizen, and impartial chair of council, the mayor usually takes part in numerous fundraising social activities and events to raise money for his or her charity.