Cheshire East’s new mayor discloses past experience with homelessness

The new mayor of Cheshire East, David Edwardes, recently shared a personal revelation during his investiture ceremony at Tatton Park. He disclosed that 13 years ago, he experienced homelessness and resorted to sleeping in his car. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed, “In 2012, I was homeless, sleeping in a car in Macclesfield Forest. Things certainly change in 13 years.”

Edwardes, an Independent candidate and Macclesfield councillor, narrated how he found himself in a dire situation upon returning to his hometown after an extended period of working overseas. With limited resources, he spent a weekend sleeping in his vehicle until former councillor Bill Livesley intervened and arranged temporary accommodation for him. Subsequently, Edwardes found a more permanent residence for his family and gradually rebuilt their lives. He accredited his turnaround to fortuitous circumstances, remarking, “Somebody said to me, rather than wealth and everything, the secret is to be lucky, and I think I’ve just been lucky.”

In his tenure as mayor, Edwardes announced his fundraising initiatives for Windyway Animal Rescue and Macclesfield Roundtable, supporting causes close to his heart. Humorously, he mentioned skipping the traditional mayor’s ball in favor of organizing the Windystock Rock Festival, where he teased a playlist featuring iconic bands such as AC/DC and Status Quo.

Despite the light-hearted moments, Edwardes acknowledged the challenging financial landscape faced by local councils, including Cheshire East. He emphasized the significant budget allocation towards essential services for children, families, and adults, leaving a limited portion for other municipal operations. Highlighting fiscal constraints exacerbated by external factors, he expressed optimism for the future while reaffirming the necessity for prudence and resourcefulness within the council.

In a departure from convention, Edwardes decided against appointing a consort and opted to invite ward members to join him at official functions, fostering community engagement and representation. Additionally, Labour’s Judy Snowball was elected deputy mayor, adding diversity and collaboration to the council leadership.

Throughout the ceremony, Edwardes balanced anecdotes from his past with a pragmatic outlook on the council’s responsibilities and challenges. As he embarks on his mayoral term, he embodies resilience, humility, and a commitment to serving the community with unwavering dedication. His journey from homelessness to civic leadership serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and community support in overcoming adversity.