The Mayor of Eastbourne from May 2002 to May 2004 was Councillor Olive Woodall.
Ward: Hampden Park
Party: Liberal Democrat
Archived Biography from May 2002
DOB:19 August 1926, Brighton
Marital Status: Single
Education: Attended St. Joseph’s (Elm Grove) Infants School and Junior School until the age of 11 and then moved on to Intermediate School.
Career History: Started work at the age of 15 as a Junior Clerk, then became a part-time Civil Defence messenger on reaching the age of 16. After the war joined the Labour Party and was active in Queens Park Ward. Re-started the Labour League of Youth in Brighton, and became the first Chair. Did a variety of clerical and industrial jobs until 1949 and then moved to London to work full time as an organiser with the Young Christian Workers Movement. Returned to clerical work and went to night school to study for three A levels Economics, Economic and Social History of Britain and British Constitution. Went on to start a part-time course for Social Science Diploma at Brighton Technical College, but half way through, the course folded, and then the Diploma was dropped by London University. Worked as Manageress of claims and complaints department of laundry and dry cleaners until 1965 then started a two year course at Brighton Teachers College for mature students. First teaching job was at Fitzherbert Secondary Modern School, Woodingdean, Brighton. Then moved to London to work in a special school at Eltham while doing a part-time course on curriculum development at GoldsmithsCollege, Lewisham. Stayed there five years. In 1972 came back to the coast and got a job starting off a Tutorial Unit for what was then called "maladjusted children" in Bexhill. Joined the Liberals about 1984 (Hampden Park Ward) and did usual helping with jumble sales, leaflet delivery, elections etc. Retired from full-time teaching in 1986 but carried on supply teaching part time for another four years.
Outside Positions & Duties: Outside Bodies have included Eastbourne in Bloom (Joint Chair 1997-1999, now Co-Vice Chair), Hampden Park Sports Centre, Governor at ParkfieldInfantsSchool and Member of Hampden Park "In Bloom" Campaign.
Terms Of Office: First elected to Hampden Park Ward in May 1991. Has sat on T.A.S which became the Environment Committee, Tourism & Leisure, then Community Services, was Chair of Planning 1994-1997 and also served on the Policy & Resources Committee. Sub Committees have included Downs Advisory, was First Chair of Youth Advisory. Joint Staff, Sports Advisory and Museums and ArtGalleries. Was Deputy Mayor 1999-2000.
Leisure Interests: My pets, Tess the dog and Tommy the cat. Photography, spinning, walking (entered Eastbourne Fun Runs 1986 and every year until they were dropped). Gardening and walking anywhere on the Downs and observing the flora and fauna.
This page is an archived biography of a previous Mayor of Eastbourne. To find out more about Eastbourne's current Mayor please browse our web pages or contact the Mayor's Office.
