The inauguration of Amber Valley’s new Mayor, Councillor Jean Gemmell, took place in the Council Chamber at Ripley Town Hall during the Full Council meeting held on Wednesday 14 May 2008. She takes over the role from Councillor Peter Arnold.
Councillor Gemmell’s consort is her husband, Mr Peter Gemmell.
Councillor Jean Gemmell was elected as a councillor for the Kilburn, Denby and Holbrook ward in May 2006. She has been a representative of Amber Valley Borough Council on the boards of Amber Valley Housing, Amber Valley Community Transport, ACE East Midlands Arts, Amber Valley Council for Voluntary Services and as Deputy Mayor for the last twelve months.
Councillor Gemmell is married with three grown-up children. Her hobbies include antiques, interior decoration and entertaining. She is Artistic Director of Present Company theatre group and is well known in the Midlands for her work in musical theatre. She received a Derby City Council Civic Award in May 2003 in recognition of her contribution to performing arts in the city.
“I am delighted and honoured to be nominated as the Mayor of Amber Valley,” said Councillor Gemmell. “I’m very proud to live and work in the Borough, and am looking forward to promoting Amber Valley at every opportunity while carrying out my mayoral duties! I’ve always been a people person, so I’m particularly looking forward to meeting lots of new people and finding out more about some of the events and initiatives they’re involved with across the Borough.
“During my year as Mayor I’ve chosen to support two charities that are already particularly close to my heart: Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Amber Trust. Our theatre company regularly supports Marie Curie Cancer Care, following the death of one of our valued members from the illness. My husband and I are also patrons of the Derbyshire Mental Health Trust, and the Amber Trust works to provide support services in Amber Valley to adults with mental ill health to enable them to live successfully and independently in their local communities.
“I hope that during the year my charity appeal will help make a difference to people in Amber Valley. As well as raising as much money as possible, I also hope to help raise the profile of these organisations and increase awareness of the devastating effects both cancer and mental illness can have on individuals and their families.”
The deputy mayor for the forthcoming year is Councillor Peter Makin.
Ends.
For further information please contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655.
Notes for editors
Councillor Gemmell retired from full-time employment as chief executive of the Derby based teachers' trade union, Professional Association of Teachers (PAT, now re-named VOICE) in December 2005. She joined as Senior Professional Officer in January 1999, becoming Deputy General Secretary in April 1999 and Acting General Secretary on 1 April 2001. She was elected as General Secretary of PAT in June 2001.
Before joining PAT, Cllr Gemmell was Head Teacher of Fernwood Comprehensive School in Nottingham. She grew up in Kent and was educated at Chatham Girls' Grammar School. As an undergraduate at Reading University, she found time to pursue her studies (BSc Joint Honours in Maths and Physics) and be a founder member of the University Operatic Society and Chair of Debates.
Obtaining a teaching certificate from Bishop Lonsdale College in Derby (now part of Derby University), she later specialised in the Psychology of Human Relationships at Nottingham University (BEd Hons).
Cllr Gemmell's career as a maths and physics teacher began at a girls' boarding school in St Neots, Huntingdonshire, followed by posts in Scotland and at the John Port School in Etwall, Derbyshire. Remaining in Derbyshire, she was Deputy Head of John Flamsteed School in Denby and Friesland School in Sandiacre, before taking up the Fernwood headship in Nottingham. Fernwood is a Beacon School of Excellence. Cllr Gemmell was a council member and area convenor for the Secondary Heads Association (ASCL).
