Dronfield Eye issue 211 July 2023

dronfield EYE
Coun Susan Burkitt and her consort, husband Keith, were
on duty at the re-arranged Dronfield 10k and Fun Run
T
HE new Mayor of Dronfield, Coun Susan Burkitt, has
described the role as a “privilege and an honour”.
Coun Burkitt grew up in Greenhill and made her home in
Dronfield in 1977.
She has had a varied working life, including running local
businesses, and spent over a decade as a volunteer at both
Ashgate Hospice and the charity’s Dronfield shop.
She is married to Keith, well known in the area as a
saxophonist, who becomes consort. Coun Burkitt has two
children, a stepson, and four grandchildren.
She first stood for election to Dronfield Town Council in 2019 as
Conservative candidate for Dronfield North.
She said: “I was supposed to be a candidate on paper only but,
when I won, I thought about it and decided that if people had
gone out and put a cross against my name, then perhaps I could
give something back.
“I like helping people and that’s what I’ve tried to do as a
councillor. I think people are important and if I can help, I do my
best to do so.”
Coun Burkitt was re-elected on 5th May, this time standing in
the Coal Aston ward where she and Keith now live.
Coun Burkitt said she is greatly looking forward to her new role,
although the appointment hasn’t quite sunk in yet!
“It is a privilege and an honour that my colleagues nominated
me to represent Dronfield.
“My children can’t believe it and say who would have thought
when we were growing up that mum would go on to become
Mayor of Dronfield,” she added.
ROTARY CLUB OF DRONFIELD ­
LATEST COMMUNITY
LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS
25th April M149
2nd May M059
9th May M118
16th May M078
23rd May M148
30th May M152
6th June M037
For information on
how to play, visit www.
dronfieldrotary.org.uk
Out of every £1 played, 50p goes directly to
organisations in or serving the S18 district. The
remaining 50p is returned to players as prize­money.
Stepping up to
be Dronfield’s
Town Mayor
2023-24
Our town’s new
Mayor, Coun Susan
Burkitt, will be keeping
Dronfield Eye readers
updated about her
engagements
and duties on a
monthly basis
I
mayor’s
EYE
WOULD like to start my
first column for Dronfield
Eye by introducing myself.
I have lived in Dronfield for
the past 45 years, am
married and have raised
children Angela, David and
Gavin here.
For the past year, I have been
Deputy Mayor, representing Dronfield on a number of
occasions including during the Queen Elizabeth II’s historic
Platinum Jubilee celebrations last summer and, sadly, the
passing of our Queen only a few months later.
This year I had the honour of being elected Town Mayor and
during my term of office I am looking forward to meeting as
many residents, both adults and children, as I possibly can.
My first duty was to attend the Dronfield 10k and Fun Run
held on the 21st May. As you may remember, this had been
originally scheduled for March but was cancelled due to snow.
What a difference two months makes. This time we had a
glorious sunny day, which was good for all who attended but
maybe not so much for some runners, especially the firefighter
who ran the race in full kit.
I had the privilege of starting both races and then handing
out medals to the participants as they finished their respective
races, together with our new Deputy Mayor, Coun Pam Jones.
I also presented individual awards to the winners of all the
different categories.
The event was wonderfully organised and congratulations
need to be given to all those involved for their hard work. I met
and spoke to many lovely people but I cannot let it pass
without saying a big thank you to the Venture Scouts who
looked after us throughout the morning.
I look forward to keeping you all updated on future events.
6