In an affirmative display of confidence in Islington's older generation, Islington Council has elected what is believed to be London's oldest current Mayor.
A former journalist, research technician and environmental campaigner, 82-year-old Anna Berent has lived in Mildmay for 25 years, becoming Liberal Democrat Councillor for the ward in 2002.
The active octogenarian lists walking, jogging and until recently rock-climbing as her hobbies.
Paying tribute to her predecessor, Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk (the borough's first Polish Mayor), Cllr Anna Berent said:
"Stefan's a hard act to follow - he seems to have visited every inch of the borough last year and raised a huge amount of money for his charity 'Kids Afloat'.
"The position of Mayor carries a huge responsibility - after all, I am the borough's first citizen and figurehead. But by the same token, it's also a huge honour.
"I am looking forward to getting out and about across the whole borough, meeting people and finding out all the great things that make Islington so special.
"I'll be using my Mayoralty to raise money for my two charities - The Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture and Room2 Heal. I hope residents and business will be as enthusiastic as I am in supporting their work."
The Mayor Making was held at the Council meeting at Islington Town Hall on Thursday 14 May.
A passionate environmental champion, Cllr Berent's spirited campaign forced CTRL to route Eurostar trains through a tunnel instead of noisy surface tracks through the borough. She also helped transform a rundown and crime-ridden green space on the Newington Green gyratory into a welcoming park and cafe for local families to enjoy year-round.
She is also proud of her work on the organisation committee of the St Paul's Shrubbery Festival, which has been run every summer (bar one) for almost 20 years.
Cllr Berent, the Older People's Champion for Islington, was Islington's Deputy Mayor and Chair of the East Area Planning Committee.
One of the Mayor's first official fundraising engagements will be a party at Newington Green on 15 June.
The Mayor's consort will be Ray Allcock. The Mayor's deputy will be Cllr George Allan and his consort will be Sue Buchanan.
Islington Council is a keen supporter of older people's rights, last year taking up the case of the Islington pensioners who forced the Royal Mail into a historic u-turn, saving the Essex Road Post Office from closure.
Town Hall initiatives for older people include a walking club, a day centre film-making project, a benefits roadshow and walking stick and slipper MOTs.
Details of the Mayor's Diary are available a week in advance from the Mayor's Office on 020 7527 3113.
ENDS
Note:
* The Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture (aka The Medical Foundation) and Room2Heal (a small local charity), provide therapy and therapeutic activities for refugees and asylum seekers.
* Retired councillor Agnes Seeley - who served as Islington's Mayor between May 1960 to April 1961 celebrated her 100th birthday in a Haringey residential nursing home on 21 October 2005.
* Cllr Jonathan Dearth was believed to be Islington's youngest Mayor when elected as the Mayor in 2005 at the age of 37.
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009