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May 12, 2025
Grace in Leadership: Mayor Sherrie McDaid Reflects on Her Year Serving Broxbourne
Grace in Leadership: Mayor Sherrie McDaid Reflects on Her Year Serving Broxbourne
00:00
30:57
Transcript
0:00
Welcome to The Voices of Our Towns, the podcast where we spotlight the people, the places, and the decisions shaping life across Broxbourne and beyond.
0:09
I'm your host, Emeka, and today we're joined by a very special guest, Councillor Sherry McDaid, the outgoing Mayor of Broxbourne and longstanding Councillor for the Broxbourne and Hoddesdon South Ward.
0:23
Councillor McDaid has spent the last year as Mayor championing community causes, raising awareness around mental health and young carers, and representing the borough at dozens of civic events.
0:36
Her dedication to public service and her connection with residents has left a lasting impact.
0:42
As her mayoral term draws to a close, we are sitting down to reflect on her journey, her proudest moments, the changes in local politics, and what's next for both her and the borough.
0:56
Thank you, Mayor, for your time and for being here. It's a pleasure to have you join us on The Voices of Our Town. First of all, how are you feeling as you come to the end of your time as Mayor?
1:10
First, firstly, thank you for that lovely introduction. [chuckles] And, yeah, thank you for asking to speak to you today. How am I feeling? Uh, uh, it's a mixture of feelings really.
1:20
Both-- There is some sadness there to be leaving the, the mayoral office behind, but there's also excitement for new things to come. I've had an amazing time, but I'm ready for new challenges.
1:30
Has it sunk in yet that this chapter is now coming to an end? Not really. I think it will tomorrow when I officially hand over to our new incoming Mayor, Councillor Patsy Spears.
1:42
I'm really excited, though, to see what Councillor Patsy Spears is gonna bring to the mayoral office. I think she's gonna bring her own angle and flavor to the wh- to the whole office.
1:51
I think it's gonna be really exciting. So I think- Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So there's lots of different emotions happening.
1:55
I think I'm probably more happy and more excited about things to come than sort of dwelling on- Looking forward. -what has been. Yeah. In, in a negative way, a more positive way.
2:04
So you must have been a whirlwind of events, meetings, and community moments over the past year.
2:10
Did you ever imagine when you first got in into local politics that you'd be wearing the chains and representing the borough in this way? No, not really, actually. No, I wanted to get...
2:21
become a counselor for the reason of making a positive i-impact to the community. I wanted to get to know my community more and see what ways I could help.
2:30
Um, and I hadn't-- I suppose it's just kind of naturally evolved.
2:34
I saw other people doing that role and joining them at events and thought this, this looks like something that I would really enjoy doing, would like to explore as well.
2:42
So yeah, when I was able to take that opportunity, I was very excited to do that. Brilliant. Looking back on your year as Mayor, what moments stand out as particularly memorable or impactful? Oh, yeah.
2:55
There's a lot of them, right? Yeah. There's so many, and I wouldn't want to sort of miss any out. D'you know?
3:00
[chuckles] That's the only thing 'cause I'll tell you, every single event I've been to, everybody's been so welcoming and so warm, and I feel like I've met so many brilliant people.
3:08
And I know that maybe sounds a bit of a cliché, but it's genuine. I genuinely feel that way. But I mean, I suppose one thing that I'm really,
3:16
like, buzzing about actually, and w- and I hope it will continue, is I was at a local secondary school at a talent contest. I was one of the panel judges. Mm-hmm.
3:26
I don't know if I've told you about this actually, and, uh, I've told lots of people, [chuckles] which is why I see them. Uh, and they were-- All of the students were just amazing.
3:32
They were breathtaking, like, having the confidence to get up there and perform, but also, um, we're only, we're only allowed to choose three. There was three judges. We all k- chose one each.
3:41
That was the only way we could figure out a way of agreeing with each other. And I was talking, uh, to my secretary later, a couple of days later, saying, "Oh, there, there's so many. I just feel bad for not..."
3:50
That's right. Yeah. So she actually made... I'm not gonna take-- I won't take the credit. She actually was the seed of this idea, said, "Well, why don't you ask, you know, ask them to come to one of your events?"
3:59
And from there, I was lucky enough to be able to speak to the organizers of the BOB Awards. Mm. And they, they actually invite-- We invited four of those students to perform at the opening acts of the BOB Awards.
4:13
And the feedback I've got from the school and from the students and it's just been, it's just been amazing.
4:18
Really, yeah, really, uh, heartwarming, and that's something I, I hope we can maybe continue to do for the mayoral office, is to have schools, um- Have the opportunity.
4:27
-invite the mayor, yeah, to come to their events, and, uh, hopefully- Ah. -they might have the opportunity then.
4:33
It's just an idea, but y- you know, hopefully, that might open up an opportunity for young people to, uh, perform and, uh- Yeah.
4:40
Just r-remembering that BOB Awards and seeing those kids perform, I can imagine the impact it will have on their lives.
4:47
And I can imagine if you had, uh, the students always looking forward to given the opportunity to perform at that level- Yeah. -that'd be something for them to look forward to.
4:56
Yeah, 'cause it, it is quite, it is a high level, isn't it? I mean, there's, what, there's over a hundred people. Yeah. Uh, and they're on a big stage.
5:02
And as I said to all of them, "If you can do this, [chuckles] you can do anything." You know, all those interview panels or anything you walk into that you're not sure about, you just remember what you did that evening.
5:11
Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm. You did it amazingly. So yeah, just hold that with you and you can do anything. So... And as I say, the excitement that, that I got back, the feedback, was just really, um, really fulfilling actually.
5:25
And that, yeah, that's probably the one that really strikes me and I'm kind of holding on to- I'm sure this is just based on what you remembered. There's many of other- Yeah. Oh, no. Yeah. -events. So many.
5:34
And, you know, if I haven't mentioned them now, I re- I apologize to every single one of those people 'cause everyone that's invited me to an event has been really welcoming and so, and really kind as well, and flexible as well.
5:45
So yeah, it's-- I've really appreciated that. It's been a real honor- Thanks. -to serve as Mayor. No. Thanks very much.
5:50
Obviously, we'll understand, and people listening will understand that with the many, many civic events that, you know, go to, there's no way you can remember every single one of them.
5:59
I think the ones you probably just remembered is because they're just fresh in your memory, and there's many, many more other, uh, uh, uh, exciting events that, you know, you will remember even after your mayoral term.
6:10
Absolutely. How has serving as Mayor influenced your perspective on our community and maybe community leadership and personal development o-on your own?But for myself For yourself, yeah.
6:22
How do you think, you know, just being the mayor has influenced any sort of, uh, your perspective on community leadership and your own personal development in any way? I think, uh, it's, it's really opened my eyes.
6:34
I knew there was a lot going on in our borough. I just, I hadn't realized how much we've, we've got going on here. So that was really... It was-- That was a real eye-opener for me in a really positive way.
6:47
Um, and I'm hoping I've used that platform as mayor as much as I can to help connect people as well.
6:54
It helps you open your mind up to all the different opportunities that are out there of hopefully collaborate, people collaborating together and finding ways for them to move forward in a, in, you know, in another way to grow.
7:06
Um, so that, that was the main thing really. And I guess it makes you...
7:12
When you go into being a mayor, well, for me anyway, I didn't-- I think, you know, I knew it was important, but I don't think I realized how important that chain is to people, and that's very humbling.
7:21
So I feel like, yeah, I've become hopefully more humble. [laughs] Not that I wasn't [laughs] or I wasn't full of it before, but hopefully it's, uh, made me appreciate that office more so. Yeah.
7:33
Well, the one thing I wanted to ask again is, out of your engagements, I think, I mean, I think at... Is it at the beginning of your mayoral term that you choose the charities you support? Yeah.
7:46
And you chose the Young Carers, right? Young Carers in Hertfordshire. Yeah, and, um, Strength in Mind. HABS. Strength in Mind. HABS, yeah. Yeah. House- Health and Strength in Mind.
7:56
Are there any others that you- No, it's just those two... those two. Which is, it is really difficult actually to pick, um, charities.
8:03
Uh, however, I had met, uh, the so- founder and CEO of HABS Strength in Mind, and we just had some amazing conversations and just feel like, you know, this is, this is really inspiring what you're out there to do.
8:15
The energy and the passion, it's just, it's so natural and so ingrained in her. That's something I really wanted to sort of support and, um, help them as well, sort of grow, like grow awareness.
8:26
I think mental health as well, I think even though we are sort of trying to bring it to the foreground more, I still think there's a bit of a taboo about, about people's mental health.
8:35
Um, and especially you could have, um, all the opportunities laid out in front of you, but if you're not in the right place yourself mentally, you may not have an opportunity to go out there and grab them, and I think that's really, really important that we help young people be in that good place, help train them up, 'cause when...
8:50
Life's not always easy, and we are gonna have challenges thrown at us, but to really help them, like, build those, um, that resilience and also
8:59
pick themselves back up e- and with support as well, but with themselves sort of have that sort of inner core of self-belief. I think that's really important. We can help our young people and their futures.
9:09
Giving, giving people hope is probably the biggest thing you can give people, isn't it? Yeah. I think that's what that charity does. Uh, all charities, to be honest with you. Um, well, it's... This is really hard to...
9:18
[laughs] I don't... I'm not saying one's better than the other, but that's one that really resonated for me.
9:22
And then Young Carers in Herts, again, uh, young people that are maybe in a situation that, you know, that isn't born of their own doing as such.
9:30
So any sort of s- support and respite that they can get, I think is really valuable. So you think there's been a lot of impact through your collaborations with these, uh, these charities? I hope so. I hope so. I hope so.
9:43
I, I try and mention them whenever I can. [laughs] Yeah. So given your background and passion for social mobility, how have you engaged with the young people in the borough during this tenure?
9:55
I think this is so- sort of, uh, partially with what you said earlier on about, uh, the students you- Mm. -picked. Yeah.
10:03
But anyway, I just wanted to know if, given your background and passion, how have you engaged with these young people throughout your tenure?
10:12
Well, as I say, with the opportunity of opening up, like, the opening act for the Box-Brock- the Broxbourne Borough Awards, I, I hope that sort of helped people see
10:23
that they can do more than maybe what they've imagined they could do, and that's something I hope that will continue with that. So give them that as- that aspiration.
10:31
And I do try and talk to-- When I go to an event, try and talk to as many people as possible and listen to what they want to do.
10:38
I was at a, a rotary event not long ago, actually, school awards for essay writing, and the topic was, what do you wanna be when you grow up?
10:46
So that was really fun as well, speaking to the students there, listening to what they, what their, like, dreams were and their ambitions.
10:52
And even if they didn't win, the fact that they've actually started thinking about that- Thinking about it, yeah... I think that's, like, the first step anyway.
10:59
So yeah, I ho- I hope I've been accessible and friendly to people when I've come to events, and hope they feel they can approach me. And, you know, seeing somebody...
11:10
Uh, people always [laughs] make comments, "Oh, you look very young to be a mayor."
11:13
[laughs] Putting that to myself, but people have said that, and I'm hoping that will also, like, mean when a younger person thinks that's not just- It's actually achievable... an older person's game as such.
11:21
Anybody can lift it. You just gotta put your mind to something, and you know what? You miss... And it's a bit of a cheesy one, you probably heard it. You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take. Yes.
11:29
Go for it, right? That's why I say go for it. [laughs] Go for it. So it doesn't- Don't know unless you try. [laughs] Yeah. Don't let anything stop you. Just go for it. Yeah, definitely.
11:38
Most of the time people get turned away by looking at who's there, who's done it, and if they think they don't match up or if they don't think they don't have the similar maybe social status- Mm...
11:48
they just shy away from a- attempting. Yeah. And sometimes we can dwell too much on all the negatives. We spend too much time doing that, and actually that's the easy way out of talking yourself out of it.
11:59
Sometimes you just gotta... W-whether those things, still go for it anyway. Just, you know, go for it. [laughs] Why not? You don't know unless you try. Why not?
12:08
Was-- I think you've previously spoken about your passion for supporting mental health and social mobility. Was there a personal experience or a moment in your life that shaped this passion?
12:17
Something that maybe still drives you today, giving us outside of your public office?Probably. And it's not-- I don't think it's easy for young people anyway.
12:28
As, as you know, when you become a teenager, you've got lots of different things going on, haven't you? Your bo- your, you're changing, everything's changing. It's in between being a child and being an adult.
12:36
[chuckles] And it's... Yeah, it's not easy. And I think when I was around, when I was a teenager, I did have a bad experience when I was younger. A best friend of the sister had actually-- it's-- she, she attacked me.
12:49
She beat me up, and I lost my friendship group very quickly overnight, and it was quite a big deal.
12:53
The thing that brought me back actually was go- getting into working out, sort of making myself feel strong and confident. And I also went and got an apprenticeship as well in hairdressing, and that's what built my...
13:04
So it helped me build my social skills and lo- meeting new people and learning new skills. But all the while, it's all, if-- for-- it's front facing, so I'm with people, not...
13:13
I would urge people not to sit behind screens too long. The-- where most benefit is actually being out there with people and interacting- Interacting. Yeah, definitely.
13:22
So I think that's where that, like, u-underlying passion is about. You, you've got to be right with yourself before you can be... Well, before you can fully, perhaps,
13:32
put yourself out there, like, positively in the world. It's-- which-- and that's perfectly normal. It's perfectly natural to have days when you're not feeling great.
13:40
It's just as long as you have something to come back to that build that resilience, and that's important. Yeah.
13:44
So when you view that your inner self and you're confident of your inner self, then, you know, the other challenges or issues you can, you face, you can actually at least match them, go for it,
13:58
and stand firm on your feet. I, I think that brings us to maybe challenges and achievements during your tenure. Are there any challenges you can talk about?
14:08
Did you face any during your term as mayor, and how did you address them, challenges? Yeah, nothing really, like, big springs to mind. I guess the only challenge really, I guess, is to making sure you juggle the diary.
14:21
[chuckles] Juggle diary, getting back to people, making... I've got two young children, eleven and twelve, making sure you're looking after their needs as well. You're jug-juggling all those things.
14:30
That's a, it's a challenge, but not impossible. But it isn't... And it's, I don't always get it right, but [chuckles] I'd say that's the, that was the biggest thing. Yeah. But that's life as well, isn't it, really?
14:39
You're gonna have so many other things you're gonna be juggling, and as a member of the community, you know, you will have those responsibilities plus those personal ones as well. Mm-hmm.
14:49
And they're all happening within the same twenty-four hours. [laughs] Even twelve maybe, 'cause the rest you'll be sleeping maybe. A-are there any initiatives or maybe achievements you're most proud of from your term?
15:05
Yeah, I think... I feel I hope, I'm hoping that I've helped, like, bring people together really.
15:11
You-- like, when, when I've spoken to people, if they've needed a connection with something, I'm hoping I've been able to help with that or connect people together, especially with regards to, say, new businesses, things like that.
15:24
If they've needed contacts, like, hopefully pushed them up, given them the right direction within who to, like, go and speak to if they need a bit more support or something like that.
15:31
I think we've got a really good council for that kind of sort entrepreneurship and enterprise. Like Theebals Enterprise, jobs fair, things like that.
15:38
I'm hoping that I've been able-- I've been approachable enough to help with that. Obviously, with the young people, the BOB Awards, giving them that opportunity as well.
15:48
Yeah, so I ho- I'm hoping and, or just promoting so a lot of the things that we have going on in the council as well. We've got the International Play Day. We have Green Week, things like that.
15:58
Hopefully, I've been able to help promote all those types of activities and the town center activities we have, like town markets, Christmas markets. Hoping that I've been able to help raise that profile as well.
16:10
I was gonna ask you, [coughs] but then you just answered the question.
16:13
I was gonna ask you if you've seen any Broxbourne community or how Broxbourne community have come together to support one another during challenging times. You know, how you've probably played a role.
16:24
But I think what you just said is some of these events, activities that have been playing around within the borough have supported that. [lip smacks] Let's take a quick break for a message from our sponsors.
16:39
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Media Town Property Services, we don't just sell homes, we build neighborhoods. Now, let's get back to the episode. What I wanted to do, usually I wouldn't do this, but then I'll just ask quick question.
17:57
I know being a mayor is a civic duty, but I'm just gonna sneak in a few political question. But you don't have to answer it, but you know, it'd be nice to attempt.
18:08
[chuckles] So because you're representing the Borough of the Broxbourne and Hoddesdon South Ward, you've had a front row seat to so many of the area's development and challenges.
18:20
What's changed most in the community during your time as councilor?What do you mean what, what's changed?
18:27
Like anything has changed in the ward or any sort of development that you've seen in the area since you've been mayor? It's just to- Do you mean on a political landscape or just in general? On... Yeah, in gen-general.
18:39
General in the, uh, Huddersfeld South and, uh, Broxbourne area. Any-anything? Just as in my mayoral term, like the year- Yeah, in the mayoral, just in the year.
18:50
I think it's been quite stable on a political level from what if you're looking at what the results were in my ward. I... But I know there's been some change, like, across the borough as well.
19:00
That's what we have elections for people to, to vote for the way they w-want to. So that's democracy, and I respect that. [chuckles] Yeah. That was what I was gonna say.
19:09
So the twenty twenty-five Huddersfield County Council elections, they marked a significant shift with the Liberal Democrats emerging as the largest party, ending the Conservatives Party twenty-six year major-majority control.
19:22
As a Conservative counselor representing your ward, how do you interpret this change? What implication do you foresee for local governance and policy within Huddersfield?
19:36
Uh, I got my mayoral chain on today, mayoral hat today, which is purely civic. Yeah. So I wouldn't want to be making too many sort of sweeping statements that might- Mm-hmm.
19:46
-push towards a certain party or something like that. It's great. Obviously, you passed the mark. We're just seeing. [chuckles] Anyway, looking ahead, we're gonna be looking ahead.
19:56
As you conclude your term, what are your plans moving forward, both personally and professionally? I think I'm excited for the future. I'm looking forward to going on some walks with my, my fellow ward counselors again.
20:11
And also, I have m-more time in the diary. I used to be a... Well, I am still members of, of volunteer, some voluntary groups. So I'll do a little plug here.
20:20
There's voluntary opportunities at Lowther Museum that p- anyone can get involved in.
20:24
So if anyone's interested in something like that, it's really good to go to check out the Lowther Museum Instagram, and they have a Facebook page as well, ways you can get involved. Mm-hmm.
20:32
Especially skilled people that maybe have retired, they're always looking for people to come and help with things like, uh, uh, curating or putting up records. Any-anybody can go and get involved with that.
20:42
It's something I'd like to get back involved in. And Friends of Barclay Park, one of our lovely parks, I'm looking forward to getting back into my wellie boots and helping out there again. Yeah. They are once...
20:54
the first Saturday of every month, ten o'clock, so hopefully you'll come down one time and see us there. Come rain or shine, keeping, helping keep the park pristine. It's good fun, actually.
21:04
B-both those types of opportunities are really good ways of meeting- Meeting other people. -other people. Yeah. Yeah, and it's a nice way to start your day as well.
21:11
So I'm looking forward to doing that again as well, having more time to do things like that. You've heard it directly from the mayor's mouth.
21:18
Um, if you have time, I think it would be a great time to come and volunteer at Lowther Museum and also the Friends of Barclays. Yeah.
21:28
And als- but you can also, but get in contact with the council, and they would-- they can give you advice on other volunteering opportunities as well, 'cause there is a, like, a voluntary kind of group, if you will, there that they could chat to them and see what other opportunities.
21:40
We've got... There's lots of opportunities. I wouldn't want just to single those two out. To focus on that. They're just the two that I'm involved in at the moment.
21:46
Oh, and Love Huddersfeld, they're um- Love Huddersfeld, yeah. Also got volunteers. But then you've got your Love Chesham, and you've got your Wold Cross, haven't you? Love Chesham. You've got...
21:53
There are lots of community initiatives out there for people. If they wanted to do something in their community, do take a look, do ask. They can also, if they wanted to, they can...
22:04
Yeah, I said they can drop my, me a line on my email, uh, c--
[email protected]
, and I can point them in the right direction if they're interested in volunteering opportunities, whatever they may be, whoever they may be with.
22:16
So... There is a lot of opportunities- There is. -for volunteering. Yeah. You just need to ask the right questions, and then you can be put through.
22:24
What advice would you offer to the incoming mayor and future community leaders? I think, I mean, Counselor Spears is a very warm, kind person or... In any way.
22:37
I think that's the main thing of the mayor is being ex-like approachable, and, and she definitely is, and she's very, and she's very personable as well.
22:44
I would say to Patsy, you know, I've, I've always said to her, "Make it your own. Really enjoy it. Get out there and make it your own signature."
22:51
And it might seem a bit silly, but check the chain, make sure it's straight. [chuckles] Nothing worse than seeing a photograph and the chain's all skewwhiff.
22:58
[chuckles] Yeah, I, I think, you know, any sort of leadership, I think being open to... You must... You've always got to keep listening to those that you would like to follow you or to support you.
23:09
If you're not listening to them, and you're not relatable, then you've got... You won't have those followers and all that support, and that's what makes it really, what it's all about. Brilliant. Thanks very much.
23:20
What is your vision for the future of Broxbourne, and how can residents contribute to achieving it? Ooh. [chuckles] I think...
23:30
Well, as a counselor, I'm looking forward to working together with my fellow counselors, doing what we can for the borough.
23:36
I know we are working on more sustainable transport and obviously make sure s-that transport works for everybody, especially for me, for school children getting to and from school. I think that's really important.
23:48
Uh, and also for maybe people that don't want to be in their cars or don't have a car, have that accessible transport is something I'd like to see more of.
23:55
And I know that's something that a lot of county councilors are working on and are aware of. Yeah, I think we're really lucky to have, uh, really nice green spaces here, so looking after those.
24:04
And so, as I say, voluntary opportunities for people getting involved. Just come and get involved. Yeah. Things like that, yeah. And you previously said a few things about your family and your personal...
24:16
How did you manage the responsibilities of being mayor alongside your personal life? Or how did you manage? It's not a single effort. It has to be a team effort.
24:24
My husband's been amazing.And the kids are amazing as well. You have to...
24:28
When you go into these things, you, especially public office, you do have to have a conversation with your family because you do bring them with you as well, especially if you live where you are
24:38
in, in public office as well, 'cause people will, they'll recognize you and put two, two together. Also, my other, like, extended family, like my mother-in-law as well, she's been really good with childcare as well.
24:49
Yeah, you can't... Def-defy anyone who says they do it alone. You don't do it alone. It, it's definitely a team effort, definitely.
24:55
And also with support from people, your friends as well, and pe- and the people like yourself as well, I think. It's been great getting to know people like yourself and other organizations as well. It, it's...
25:05
Yeah, it's definitely a team effort. Thank you very much for mentioning us as well. [chuckles] I mean, you've been do- working really hard actually. I know I've seen that. It's growing, Broxtown, hasn't it? So yeah.
25:15
It is. It's growing. Um- You seem to be everywhere. I don't know how you do it. I want to. It's just you, right? You haven't got a team. [chuckles] It's just me. It's just me.
25:20
[chuckles] I was thinking, hang on, I've subscribed for you. The, the- Yeah, it's just me. I'm passionate about knowing what's happening in the com- in the community, and a lot is happening.
25:28
When these things are happening, you just want to, like, at least have an insight and then bring it back to the community and get people to listen and, you know, tell what's happening, and that's our call, and then we continue to pursue that.
25:41
What I wanted to also ask is, having been in this community,
25:50
what does being in this community mean to you, and how has your understanding evolved, if any, over this period of a year, one year? You know, your understanding of this community, has that changed?
26:04
Has that at least gotten better or maybe gotten worse? It's probably got... definitely gotten better. Yeah, definitely gotten better.
26:14
The more people I've, uh, met and the more organizations and businesses I've seen what they're doing, everyone's... And most, I would say the vast majority, it's never just singular.
26:25
They're never just looking just to push themselves forward. They always wanna bring the community with them as well. And yeah, I, I know I keep saying that, but it's genuinely, uh, that's what I've just been seeing.
26:35
I think we've got a really strong community spirit here in Broxbourne. I'm really proud of that.
26:40
And I think that's helped as well with what the Bro- the council does, like the, the events, like St George's Day, VE Day celebrations. Yeah, I think all... The Christmas events.
26:51
I know that's a collaboration, or it's just the Got Your Love Hoddesdon and different organizations, not just- Oh, it's a-... they, they work together. So all these types of things.
26:58
And the churches as well, they do a lot of events as well for the community. I was at...
27:04
It just reminded me actually, last year we had an event at, at one of the, one of our churches where they were-- you could s-sponsor your bear to go down the top of the st- from the top of the steeple of the church down, ab-abseil down.
27:16
[chuckles] Right. It was really cute. Yeah, my daughter volunteered her teddy bear to, [chuckles] to do that and see if it was good. So they do little things like that around...
27:25
And I'm sorry if I haven't mentioned everything that's going on out there, but there is a lot, lots, lots going on. I had my, uh, fish and chip- Yeah, yeah. day. I saw that. It was amazing.
27:33
Yeah, that, that was super fantastic example- Yeah. [chuckles]... of community- It was really good... as well. Yeah. That wasn't my idea. That was Fishy Delicious idea as well. They said, "Let's do that."
27:41
I'm like, "Wow, yeah." And then the idea was as well, we had people coming in, sit at tables, singing songs and, yeah, just, yeah, just being relaxed, enjoying, enjoying the sunshine 'cause it was actually a sunny day.
27:51
A bit windy, but it was a sunny day, so it was a very nice, nice, uh, feel. Yeah. No, it's been, it's been really good.
27:57
I think I will just be closing, but then I would like, before I do that, to ask what your legacy would be or what legacy you think you will be leaving behind as the Mayor of Broxbourne? Hmm. Hmm. I don't know. Ooh.
28:13
[chuckles] I hope it's been... I hope it's been, people have enjoyed me being at an event, and they feel like I've given them enough time to listen to them and that they are appreciated. That's the main thing.
28:27
There's, there's people out there working hard, and I hope they, they feel like th-that they are making their mark, and it's worthwhile what they're doing. I hope, I hope that's something.
28:37
And as I said about the, uh, the students as well, inviting students to perform, like, in their... Well, inviting schools actually to have a talent contest, and then if the mayor is able to come along, they could...
28:49
Hopefully, that's something that might ignite some... an inspiration or aspiration for young people as well. That would be quite exciting to see something like that happen as well. That's fantastic.
28:58
[coughs] And is there anything else you would like to say just to end, to wrap this up?
29:04
Thank you to everyone who supported me and gave me encouragement, their kind words and, yeah, and yeah, gave me that opportunity really, 'cause it really is, it's an honor, it's a privilege.
29:13
It's not something I would-- that anyone should take for granted actually, the position of mayor. You, you really do-- People really do welcome you, and, you know, it's just very humbling to have that.
29:24
And my last thing would be just to everybody, especially young people, remember what we said ear- Yeah, yeah, just give it a shot, and you, you don't know unless you try. Just give it a shot. Yeah.
29:39
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Just go for it. [chuckles] [outro music] Thank you very much. And that brings us to the end of today's episode.
29:47
A huge thank you to Councilor Sheila McDade for joining us and for sh-sharing such honest reflections on her time as Mayor of Broxbourne, the highs, the challenges, and the legacy she leaves behind.
30:00
Whether it's championing young carers, advocating for mental health, or being a visible presence across our towns, her year of service has been a reminder of the power of local leadership grounded in core and connection.
30:15
If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow Voices of Our Towns for more interviews with the people shaping life across Broxbourne and Hertfordshire and beyond.
30:26
If you're a local business, community group, or resident with a story to share, we hope to hear from you. Until next time, stay curious, stay connected, and keep raising the voices of our towns. Thank you.
30:40
[outro music]
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