Council's new Ceremonial Head appointed

18 May 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

The Council’s new Ceremonial Head for the coming year has been appointed. 

Councillor Catherine Seymour, who represents Berwick North, will attend a range of civic events on behalf of the County Council, while raising funds for her chosen charities, – The Samaritans, MND and the Stroke Association. 

Catherine, a mother of two and grandmother of three, is well travelled, having been born in Motherwell before her family moved to London when she was one. 

After school she moved to Canada and studied Arts and Science at the University of Toronto before joining her late husband Alan in his architect practice which specialised in heritage restoration.   

A passing visit through Berwick over 20 years ago was enough for Catherine to fall in love with the town. 

She explains: “We spent a sunny afternoon in Berwick on our way through a number of countries to attend Expo 2000 in Germany and saw our future home on the Quay Walls.  

“We then returned to live amongst its beauty, architecture, heritage and rich history that is surrounded by the Elizabethan Walls, river, sea and bridges.” 

During her time in Berwick Catherine has had a number of volunteer roles and served on the Town Council, before becoming a County Councillor back in 2017. 

She said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Ceremonial Head to lead on civic duties that will be a pleasure and a privilege.” 

“I know it will be an extremely busy year but it’s one that I am looking forward to and as the mental health champion for council I have been supporting the Samaritans which has offices in Berwick and Ashington; MND that I have fundraised for a number of years with devoted fellow councillors and the Stroke Association to support those that are struck by a stroke as I know first-hand the debilitating effect this has on them and their families.” 

During her year in office, Catherine's consort will be her daughter Ruth Joyner and she will be ably supported by Stobhill County Councillor John Benyon.