New chairman elected for Daventry District Council

Cllr Alan Chantler (representing Yelvertoft ward) took over the position from Deanna Eddon (Daventry Abbey South ward) at the council meeting held on Wednesday evening.

The chairman of the council is a non-political role that involves chairing council meetings, and also representing the council and district at civic and other functions.

After signing the declaration of acceptance of office, Cllr Chantler told the council his aims for his year in office will be to represent the district and help raise the profile of his charity for the year the Farming Community Network (FCN) for which he also volunteers.

The FCN is a charity covering England and Wales based in West Haddon which offers support to farmers.

Cllr Chantler said: “The charity provides pastoral and practical support for farmers and their families, in times of distress in the business or in their families.

“Farmers suffer a higher suicide rate than the general population. It can be a lonely job – sitting in a cab all day surrounded by noise, there is often no one to talk to.”

Cllr David James (Daventry Abbey North ward) was elected as deputy chairman for the year.

Retiring chairman Cllr Deanna Eddon told the council she had raised £3,088 for the Pete Spencer’s Helping Hands Memorial Fund – a Daventry based charity that offers support to local children with serious illnesses and disabilities, providing specialist equipment, and organised activities.

Cllr Eddon said: “As a resident of Daventry all my life I was very proud to represent not just my town of my birth but my district as well.”

She added she had enjoyed meeting people from around the district, and beyond, on her many official visits and events.