Colin Ellar takes over as first citizen from Cllr Paul Lynch

A warm welcome was given to Cllr Colin Ellar, ward councillor for Hounslow Heath, as he was elected Hounslow’s mayor at this week's borough council meeting.

Cllr Ellar takes over as first citizen of Hounslow from Cllr Paul Lynch.

The new mayor, said, “I’m very proud to have been elected as Mayor and am looking forward to what this year will bring.

“I am especially looking forward to raising money for my two chosen charities that I feel privileged to support.”

Cllr Ellar’s charities for his mayoral year include the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, a charity that provides palliative care to adult patients also giving support to their families and friends across a large part of Surrey, South West London and Middlesex, and ASIA, a non-governmental organisation that provides support for health and educational projects and also helps to preserve Tibetan culture.

Cllr Ellar was born in Paddington and brought up in County Durham. He returned to London in his teens and then spent time abroad as a translator and English teacher. He currently works part-time as a casework assistant for London MEP Mary Honeyball.

Cllr Ellar is no stranger to the council having spent eight years as a councillor between 1998 and 2006, holding the role of Leader for the last two.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Poonam Dhillon, is ward councillor for Cranford.

She said, “I am very excited to be Deputy Mayor and look forward to supporting Cllr Ellar in his role over the coming year.

“I am committed to the borough of Hounslow and am looking forward to meeting many more people in my role as Deputy Mayor.”

During his year as Mayor, Cllr Lynch raised over £30,000 for his charities, which were: Nazareth House, Isleworth; HEC (Hounslow Extras Club, holiday activities for disabled children); and Momentum (support for children suffering from cancer and other life-limiting conditions and their families).

Cllr Lynch said, “The last year has been a great honour. I have met so many inspirational people and know I can count many of them as new friends.

“I’d also like to thank people for their generosity in helping me raise so much money for three very worthwhile charities.

“Despite stepping down as Mayor, I will still be very much involved in the work of the council as I have once again had the honour of being elected as a councillor.”

May 28, 2010