Councillor Richard Watson, South Lodge Ward, Labour

I’m Richard Watson and I’m privileged to be this year’s mayor.

I’ve recently retired after a long career in the Probation Service, mostly in West Cumbria, plus a number of years working as a freelance social worker and as a Humanist funeral celebrant. I’ve been a town councillor for South Lodge ward, where I live, since 2019.

As well as trying my best to help people who come to me as a town councillor with their concerns, I am particularly interested in environmental issues and working to ‘green up’ the town. I am a trustee of the charity Cockermouth Climate Action Now (C-CAN) and love nothing more than to be out in a field somewhere planting trees alongside other volunteers. I am also keen to do what I can to encourage investment into the town to improve sporting and leisure facilities, particularly for children and young people.

During my year as mayor I shall be helping to raise money for two local charities: the West Lakes Squirrel Initiative who look after our native reds, and Cockermouth Junior Football Club which does such fantastic work with local girls and boys.