New mayor of Cheshire East shares struggle with homelessness upon return to Macclesfield
The newly appointed mayor of Cheshire East has unveiled a personal struggle with homelessness that he faced 13 years ago upon his return to Macclesfield. David Edwardes, an Independent candidate, was officially sworn in as the mayor of the borough at a ceremonial event held at Tatton Park. During his address to the audience, he candidly shared, “In 2012, I was homeless, sleeping in a car in Macclesfield Forest. Things certainly change in 13 years.”
In an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Edwardes elaborated on the circumstances that led to his period of homelessness. After spending many years working abroad, he returned to his hometown only to find himself without a place to stay. It was thanks to the intervention of former councillor Bill Livesley that he was able to secure temporary accommodation. Reflecting on this challenging time, Edwardes noted, “I just happened to have been all the time in the right place at the right time. Somebody said to me, rather than wealth and everything the secret is to be lucky, and I think I’ve just been lucky.”
During the official ceremony, the new mayor outlined his charity fundraising goals for the year. He expressed his intention to support Windyway Animal Rescue and Macclesfield Roundtable. Humorously, Edwardes also mentioned that there would be no traditional mayor’s ball this year, but instead, he planned to host a Windystock Rock Festival featuring music from AC/DC and Status Quo.
In addition to his mayoral duties, which include volunteer work at events like the Macclesfield Beer Festival and the roundtable Santa float during Christmas, Edwardes acknowledged the achievements of Macclesfield FC, where he works behind the bar. He praised the football club for its third promotion in four years, which garnered enthusiastic applause from those in attendance.
Amid the celebratory atmosphere, Edwardes touched on the challenges facing local councils, emphasizing the need for budgetary constraints and cutbacks. He underscored the financial strain on councils, highlighting the disproportionate allocation of funds to key areas like children and families, as well as adults. Despite these difficulties, Edwardes remained optimistic, stating that he approached the new year with “fresh hopes and aspirations.”
In a departure from tradition, Edwardes announced his decision not to have a consort, opting instead to invite ward members to accompany him to represent their areas at events. The council also confirmed Labour’s Judy Snowball as the deputy mayor during the meeting.
Overall, David Edwardes’ journey from homelessness to becoming the mayor of Cheshire East serves as a testament to resilience, luck, and a determination to overcome challenges. His personal story underscores the importance of community support and highlights the ongoing efforts of local leaders to navigate financial constraints and provide essential services to residents.