Councillor Pat Evans has been elected as the new Mayor of Farnham and has spoken of her “immense honour and privilege” at taking on the role as she looks forward to serving her community for the coming year. Her husband David was appointed as the Mayor’s consort.

“I’m truly honoured to be chosen to take on this role for Farnham,” said Councillor Evans. “The theme for my year as Mayor is to work with the community for the community. As such, I’m looking forward to seeing as much as I can of the fantastic work that our community does to make Farnham the place it is and my mission is to champion the people who provide it and those they help.” 

The Deputy Mayor is Councillor Alan Earwaker and he will be supported in his duties by his daughter, Claire Earwaker dos Reis who was appointed as the Deputy Mayoress. 

Councillor Evans is a former town clerk at Farnham Town Council. She has also been an active member of the Rotary International service organisation since 1994.

Originally from Beckenham in Kent and married to David, Councillor Evans worked up through the ranks at Unilever, relocating to Godalming along the way. After their daughter began school, Councillor Evans began her career in local government, working first at Godalming Town Council and then Farnham Town Council, serving as a town clerk at both. Ambitious to provide the best for the people through excellence in local government, Councillor Evans studied for a degree in local policy while at Godalming and served on the Larger Local Councils Advisory Group. As Farnham Town Clerk, her first task was to help the council achieve the Quality Council standard.  

The Mayor has chosen two charities to fundraise for during her Mayoral year, Space2Grow and the Hale Community Centre project, both of which epitomise her mayoral theme of working with the community for the community.

Space2Grow is a community garden set in an acre of land in the heart of Farnham. Space2Grow uses horticulture to help people with health issues, including mental health problems, addiction and eating disorders, offering them a non-judgmental and safe space. The organisation works with numerous other local community groups and has won awards for its work. 

At the Hale Community Centre, a multitude of groups and activities for people of all ages in the local area are provided. Activities are available for young families through to people who are retired, and the organisation responds to the needs of its varied communities, with cookery sessions, a seniors’ club, choirs, a women’s group and employment support, among many others.

During her mayoral year, Councillor Evans will attend hundreds of engagements and fundraising activities for local community groups. She will also carry out civic duties such as the Services to Farnham awards, the Civic Service and chairing full meetings of the Council. Farnham Town Council encourages local residents and groups to get in touch to invite the Mayor to events where her presence would be beneficial. Full information is on the council’s website, www.farnham.gov.uk or on 01252 712667.