City announces new mayor
A new Mayor of Worcester has been voted in.
Cllr Jo Hodges has taken over the chain of office from Cllr Allah Ditta.
This will be Cllr Hodges’ second mayoral term in office; the first being in 1999 – 2000.
Cllr Stephen Hodgson is Worcester’s new deputy mayor.
Hodges said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be elected Mayor. This is the 399th year there has been a Mayor for Worcester, but this is the first to be agreed in a remote way and we hope that it will be the only one.
“The present situation is frightening and worrying and is full of daily difficulties. It is fitting in Mental Health Awareness Week to choose mental health awareness as my mayoral theme for the year. My concern is for all those with mental health difficulties – especially our young people.”
Her nominated mayoral charities are the Worcester Community Trust and Light Box, a charity which provides a safe meeting place for young people in the city.
Hodges was born in Worcester and has lived there all her life. She is married and has three children and eight grandchildren.
She spent her professional life working as a high school teacher; she was also a Magistrate for 34 years, retiring from the bench two years ago.
Hodges joined Worcester City Council in 1996 and has represented the Warndon area of the city for her entire 24 years with the council.
She is a trustee for Worcester Community Trust and chairs the Warndon Forum. She is also interested in international friendship and served as chair of the Twinning Association for five years. She will now become president of the association, in her new role as mayor.
