I want people to know why Dudley is bostin, says new mayor

Dudley’s new mayor said he wanted to celebrate the things that make the borough ‘bostin’ as he took over the role.

Councillor Pete Lowe, who has represented Lye and Stourbridge North for 20 years, plans to make art, sport, and the borough’s heritage the cornerstone of his term of office, celebrating the borough’s status as Capital of the Black Country.

Succeeding retiring mayor Councillor Pete Lee as the borough’s first citizen, the mayor described the appointment as ‘an honour and a privilege’.

As the borough’s first humanist mayor, he has appointed two secular celebrants, Rose Cook-Monk and Steve Anderson, to take on the traditional chaplaincy role.

Outlining his plan for the year at the annual meeting of the council, the mayor said it wanted it to be celebration of what made the borough special, from its proud industrial heritage to the creativity, compassion and talent of its people today.

He said there would also ba a focus on those often-overlooked citizens who devote their lives to care.

Councillor Lowe said: “I’ve been incredibly proud to serve this borough for the past two decades, a place shaped by strength, resilience and the spirit of the Black Country.

“Dudley has deep roots in industry, innovation and hard work. Our heritage, from our traditions and dialect to our industrial legacy, is something to celebrate. But while we honour our past, we also embrace the opportunities ahead and the progress we are making for future generations.”

Adding a new cultural dimension to civic events, he appointed Billy Spakemon as Dudley’s first mayor’s Poet Laureate, providing a short reading or performance before each council meeting.

He has chosen seven charities close to his heart, shaped by personal experience of the realities of caring, including We Love Carers and Friends of Alfie Johnson.

He will also be supporting Stourbridge FC, which is raising money for new floodlights, the Stourbridge-based Gig Caritas charity orchestra, Busking for Charity and The What? Centre, which supports people aged nine-to-25, including those needing mental health support and those from minority backgrounds.

Finally, he will be supporting Stourbridge Glass Museum and its ambition to promote the borough’s glassmaking heritage while bringing on a new generation of glassmakers. The Mayoress, Su, a former health visitor, has chosen Brierley Hill Baby Bank.

The mayor also appointed a team of mayoral ambassadors, including Rachael Marrey, who will be the carer’s champion, Eddy Morton and Trina Keane, who run Katie Fitzgerald’s music venue, Jonn Penney from 90s indie band Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, ex Wolves star Mel Eves, and registered nurse Karen Westwood, and Gemma Evans, one of the key drivers of the Black Country Festival.

Side by Side will be the mayor’s theatre group promoting the borough’s excellent amateur dramatics heritage and history. Gentleman Songsters will be the mayor’s Black Country choir. The Fizzogs and the Dancing Grannies will be the mayors official dance troupe raising the profile of our great borough

Councillor Lowe also said he planned to launch a councillors’ voluntary contribution scheme, where they donate a proportion of their allowances to support the mayor’s charities and boost fundraising throughout the year.

He will be supported in his mayoral year by his wife, Su who will serve alongside him as mayoress.

The role of deputy mayor will be held by councillor Adam Aston, supported by his partner Ben Middleton as consort.

Councillor Lowe said it was the first time in the history of the borough that the mayor, mayoress, deputy mayor and his consort had all served as registered nurses.