About the current Mayor
Linda Mascot was born at St. John’s Hospital and has lived in Chelmsford for most of her life. On leaving school, she became an apprentice at Marconi Communication Systems Ltd in New Street and her mother, Pat Starr, was The Essex Chronicle’s Mrs Chelmsford in 1976.
Linda now lives in Tile Kiln with her husband Ian, who is the Mayor’s Consort, and the youngest of her six children Isobel. Linda and Ian are proud grandparents to eight grandchildren.
She was first elected to the Borough Council in 2011 to represent Goat Hall Ward and was privileged to be re-elected in May 2019. She has contributed more than 32 years of community involvement, including The Tile Kiln Residents’ Association and Neighbourhood Watch. She has been a Founding Trustee of the Moulsham Lodge Community Trust, SEN Governor of Mildmay Junior School for 10 years, and has written a monthly community column for the Moulsham Times for the past seven years.
As Inclusion Manager at a local junior school, she works closely with children who have Special Educational Needs, Young Carers and other vulnerable pupils, offering practical and pastoral support to help them overcome barriers to their learning including social and emotional difficulties.
Linda spent a memorable four days in Italy with Angela Rippon filming a TV programme called ‘Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting’. She has also appeared on the One Show, wearing motorbike leathers alongside Dolly Parton, whilst nominating World Superbike Champion James Toseland as Sports Personality of the Year!
As a Chelmsford City Councillor, Linda chaired the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, was on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and was Chair of the Liberal Democrat Group.
Linda is honoured to have been elected as Mayor of this great City of Chelmsford and is looking forward to actively supporting local residents, businesses, community groups, charities, our diverse performing groups, art and culture.
Deputy Mayor: Councillor Jude Deakin
Jude has been a member of Chetwood Primary, William De Ferrers and Rainsford High School PTAs and was a school governor at Collingwood Primary, Rainsford High/St Peters College and KEGS.
She is currently a Director of Chelmsford Community Radio, a trustee of North Chelmsford Community Trust, a trustee of John Henry Keene Memorial Homes and a past trustee of Helping Hands Essex.
Jude's daughter Helen, who lives and works in Chelmsford, will be Deputy Mayoress.
Charity of the year
The theme for the Mayoral year is Bright Futures, focusing on supporting young people to become confident, successful and happy adults. The Mayor’s charity for the year will be YMCA Essex.
YMCA Essex has been present in the county for over 100 years, working alongside generations of young people, children and families to help them live the best version of their lives.
Today it impacts thousands of lives each year by putting a roof over young people’s heads, helping students at risk of exclusion, offering childcare to families on the margins, running groups providing belonging and safety, and so much more. Everyone is welcome ‘at the Y’, and to be a part of the Y!