Four past Councillors to be Honoured
Aubrey Vickers, Janet Grist, Brian Higgins and Ron Parsons will all receive the title of Honorary Alderman as part of a Civic Ceremony at Eastbourne’s Town Hall on Tuesday 28th March at 6pm.
The Worshipful the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Graham Marsden, says, “All four past councillors have given many years of excellent service to the town and its residents. It is a great personal pleasure to be able to recognise that service and to award them with the title of Honorary Alderman.”
The four past Councillors have all served on Eastbourne Borough Council in the last 50 years with three of them holding the post of Mayor of Eastbourne.
Aubrey Vickers served the longest of any existing or past Eastbourne Councillor. He was a councillor for 50 years and has held various positions in the town, winning every one of the 22 local elections he has stood for. He was first elected in 1954 and was Mayor in 1990/91 and Deputy Mayor in 1988/89 and 1989/90.
Janet Grist served as Borough Councillor from June 1984 to May 1998 for St Anthony's Ward. She held the office of Mayor in 1987/88 and was Deputy Mayor in 1997/98. She was Deputy Chairman of the Environment Committee and also served as Chairman for two consecutive years from 1995 to 1997.
Ron Parsons served as a Borough Councillor for Ocklynge Ward from December 1990 until May 2002 and was Mayor for two consecutive years in 1994/95 and 1995/96. He served on many Committees including Planning, Policy and Resources, Eastbourne Area, Standards and Sports Advisory. He served as both Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Tourism and Economic Development Committee and Deputy Chairman of Scrutiny Committee.
Brian Higgins was elected in May 1986 and served until May 2002. His positions on the Council included Chairman of Housing, Health and Community Services Committee, Chairman of the Best Value Management Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Housing and Health Scrutiny Committee. He also served on the Policy and Resources Committee and was a long standing Member of the Arts Advisory Committee.
