In Broxbourne Borough, community isn’t just a word, it’s a lived experience. And few embody that spirit more deeply than our new Mayor, Councillor Patsy. In a recent Voices of Our Towns podcast interview, recorded in late September, Mayor Patsy offered a candid, heartfelt look into her life, her vision, and what it means to serve a borough she’s called home for nearly four decades.

Mayor Patsy’s journey to Broxbourne began in the mid-1980s. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she and her husband first discovered Waltham Cross when he came down for a training course. They quickly fell in love with the area, and in 1986, they bought a home in Waltham Cross, a home she lovingly restored and still lives in to this day.

Before becoming Mayor, Patsy was best known not for speeches or ceremonies, but for service. From 1986 to 2016, she worked as a midwife across the borough, later also taking on a role as a practice nurse. In this time, she supported countless families, often delivering multiple generations and becoming a familiar, trusted face in every corner of the borough, from Cheshunt to Hoddesdon, Goffs Oak to Waltham Cross.

Ask almost any long-time resident, and they’ll have a story about “Pat.” She might have delivered their children, offered reassurance in a moment of worry, or simply shared a kind word at a community event. It’s no surprise people feel a personal connection when they see her in the street, or that they still reach out for advice.

On 13 May 2025, Mayor Patsy became the first Black mayor in Broxbourne’s history, a landmark moment not just for the borough but for representation in local government. Yet she carries the role with humility, stating simply, “I am what I am. I haven’t changed.”

She didn’t initially realise she was part of the Windrush generation, having arrived in 1969 to train as a nurse. But her recent involvement with Windrush education in local schools and communities brought new awareness and a renewed commitment to preserving that history for future generations.

Since becoming Mayor, Patsy’s schedule has been full: school visits, health forums, youth events, and community festivals. She finds joy in the variety, from watching plays in local schools to cheering on youth football teams. Her message to residents is clear, stay active, get involved, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Health and wellbeing are central to her mayoral year. She champions simple, accessible exercise, dancing, walking, even chair-based movement. “You don’t need a gym,” she says. “You can sit and wiggle your shoulders.” It’s a fun message with serious intent, stay active, stay well.

She’s also focused on community connection. From engaging with the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) community to partnering with local police to improve reporting of hate crimes, she’s using her platform to elevate issues that matter. Her ability to listen, honed over decades as a midwife, has made her a bridge between residents and local services.

Each Mayor selects a charity, or two, to support during their term. Patsy has chosen:

She also supports the local Waltham Cross Breakfast Club, which provides essential food and social connection for residents in need.

Her involvement isn’t just symbolic. She shows up, she listens, and if needed, she rolls up her sleeves and lends a hand.

Mayor Patsy is passionate about encouraging older residents to stay active and involved. Inspired by figures like Angela Rippon, she supports initiatives that make movement fun and accessible. “Dancing doesn’t need to be perfect,” she laughs. “Just put on some music and move.”

She’s also intrigued by local sustainability efforts, such as the idea of planting native black poplar trees across Hertfordshire, a project introduced by the High Sheriff. The environmental message resonates, think long-term, leave something better behind.

At the same time, she’s exploring ways to support SEND parents, many of whom face unique stresses. From attending youth centre events to planning a pamper evening for carers, her focus remains on presence and compassion rather than grand policy promises.

Mayor Patsy is concerned about young people’s limited engagement with public service and voting. While some schools have active student councils and civic lessons, she believes more should be done to encourage political awareness and leadership from a young age.

She supports initiatives like the Broxbourne Youth Council and is planning to attend youth debates and workshops to help young people understand how local government works. “They are the future,” she says, “and we need to pass the baton to them.”

Her message to young residents is simple but powerful, “Put the phone down sometimes. Join a group. Play a sport. Get involved.”

As Hertfordshire considers local government reorganisation, Mayor Patsy remains grounded. If the ceremonial mayor role is phased out in favour of a directly elected model, she may well be the last of her kind. But instead of worrying, she’s focused on doing the most with the time she has.

“If that’s what happens, we’ll manage it,” she says pragmatically. “Right now, my job is to be here for the community.”

And indeed, she is, at school events, charity fundraisers, civic forums, and even at Cedars Park, where she famously conquered a lifelong fear by cuddling a snake named Mrs Slither to raise money for charity.

It’s that same willingness, to listen, to serve, and to try something new, that defines her mayoralty.

Residents who want to invite the Mayor to an event, support her charities, or simply share an idea can do so via the Broxbourne Borough Council website. Requests go through her secretary, Karen Hughes. Mayor Patsy also continues to receive messages through her councillor email and is often happy to chat when stopped in public.

She smiles, “People still call me Pat. They stop me in the street. That’s the best part of this job, being part of the community, still.”

In Mayor Patsy, Broxbourne hasn’t just gained a ceremonial figure, it’s rediscovered one of its own. A neighbour, a midwife, a public servant, a listener. A leader whose story reminds us all that community doesn’t start in council chambers, it starts on the doorstep, with someone who cares.

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Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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