Wednesday 9th May 2012

Councillor Donald Parsons was born in Poolsbrook in 1951 and attended both Shuttlewood school and then what is now Springwell.

60 years on, he still lives in Poolsbrook and is their elected representative on Chesterfield Borough Council. Today Don , born and bred in Chesterfield, became the town's 372nd Mayor.

In a ceremony held in Council Chambers and watched by family and friends, Donald signed the Oath of Allegiance and became Chesterfield's First Citizen for the year 2012/13.

The appointment was proposed by Cllr McManus who paid tribute to Donald, saying they'd met 30 years ago at Staveley Labour meetings and had been firm friends ever since.

"His popularity" said Cllr McManus, "came from the fact that he never forgets the electorate and the community he serves."


Introducing the new Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, Cllr Donald Parsons and his wife Diane

He has been married to Diane, who will be his Mayoress, since 1988 and they have 4 children and 4 grandchildren.

Don worked as a miner for most of his working life, at Markham Colliery, and remains a trustee of Poolsbrook Miners Welfare as well as serving on both Chesterfield Borough, and Staveley Town Council. In his spare time, he breeds and races pigeons.



We spoke to Donald ahead of the ceremony at the Town Hall and he admitted that, though looking forward to the year ahead, he was feeling the pressure just then!
"I'm nervous, very nervous and anxious, proud - everything!"

It's a proud day for you isn't it to be Mayor of the town you are born and bred in?
"It is, definitely. It's a proud day for the town, and a proud day for my village."

You're on Staveley Town Council, you're very ingrained in public life already aren't you?
"Yes, I've had 20 years on Staveley Town Council and came off when I became a Borough Councillor and now I'm back on."

How long have you been a Councillor?
"This is my third term, my 10th year."

What does becoming Mayor mean to you?
"To represent my town and the honour of doing it. Chesterfield is such an interesting place and the groups I want to go out and see, this is my chance to see them, but I'll never get a chance to see all the groups in Chesterfield."

And your chosen Charities?
"Nenna Kind, The Shoebox Appeal which helps lads and lasses on the front line and Staveley and Chesterfield Armed Forces Day. My theme is around the military. As you know, Peter [Barr] gave the Freedom of the Town to 575 squadron and the 9/12th Lancers - and I want to keep that link and make people aware of the sacrifices they make for us."

You have been Deputy Mayor this year of course, have you enjoyed that?
"I've enjoyed it, it's been an experience and a good training ground for what I'm to do next. I've been lucky as Peter has been helpful and guided me even though he was thrown in the deep end himself.

"He has become a close friend and colleague, they have both become close and have been helpful to Diane and I.

"Peter has put heart and soul into the job, represented the town in a good and proper manner. He has been the first Citizen of Chesterfield and I have to fill his shoes which is going to be hard. If I do only half as good a job, I'll be proud of myself, it's hard to follow such as Peter."

What are you looking forward to most about being Mayor?
"It's gojng to be an exciting year as I have the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics - all exciting because it's all part of history to see the Olympic torch coming past and I'll never see another Jubilee. I never dreamed I'd see the Olympic torch coming through Chesterfield. They're my main two things, we also have the homecoming parades, and I'm looking forward to getting out and seeing the communities and for them to come and see me in the Chambers."

The outgoing Mayor, Cllr Peter Barr thanked everyone for attending and for their support, paying tribute to all the people he'd met during the year and who work so hard for good causes and charities - what he called Chesterfield's long standing 'Big Society'.

He highlighted particularly the work done by 7 little girls who had mounted a charity walk in order to raise funds for a cold cot for Chesterfield Royal Hospital which would help grieving families of still born babies spend precious moments with their child.

He talked of the soldier's homecoming parades that he had presided over - and his pride in doing so - and also of historical events he had attended, such as Local History exhibitions and also of his pride in being present at the dedication of the Markham Burial Ground.

Schools have featured heavily in the Mayoral year too and the Mayor talked proudly about the children in Chesterfield and their talents which would drive the town forward in years to come.

He has he said, been proud to support local businesses and watch them grow and bring wealth to the town.

The Deputy Mayor will be Councillor Paul Stone and his Mayoress will be Barbara Wallace.

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