Councillor to follow in late mother’s footsteps as borough’s next mayor
Cllr Kerry Robinson Payne in the mayor's parlour at Great Yarmouth Town Hall. Inset an image of her mother Susan Robinson, during her time as mayor. Photo: GYBC - Credit: Archant
The next mayor of Great Yarmouth will be following in her mother's footsteps.
Since 2011, mayor-elect Kerry Robinson-Payne, has represented the same ward as her mother Susan Robinson did.
Susan served as mayor in 2006, and she died shortly after her year.
Now Kerry is set to be elected mayor at a meeting of the full borough council next week.
Cllr Robinson-Payne, who is curator of the Nelson Museum, said it was an honour.
You may also want to watch:
She added: 'Most people never get to be mayor, so to have two chosen from the same family is a double honour.
'Mum was and is a real inspiration to me.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk wakes up to snow with more expected to fall
- 2 Londoners fined for travelling to stay at second home in Norfolk
- 3 Drivers face non-essential travel fines after spate of snow crashes
- 4 Norfolk's first mass Covid vaccination centre to open in food court
- 5 Covid case rates continue to fall across Norfolk and Waveney
- 6 Government must step in to help 'desperate' Norwich hospital, says MP
- 7 Are you in our Norfolk school photos from the 1970s?
- 8 Voyeur watched people after setting up secret cameras in bathroom
- 9 Woman in 60s suffers serious injuries after car crashes into ditch
- 10 Photo gallery: Snow turns region into winter wonderland
'I'm very privileged to not only be following her, but also a lot of great mayors that came before her and have come since.
'I think she would be delighted and it would make her smile to think that I've followed in her footsteps, quite literally.'
Born in Great Yarmouth, Cllr Robinson-Payne grew up on the Barrack Estate, attending Greenacre School and Great Yarmouth College of Further Education.
Initially, she worked as a mobile hairdresser, visiting clients around the area. However, her real interest was always heritage.
About 10 years ago, she decided to follow her passion and started volunteering at the Nelson Museum, on Historic South Quay, where she trained in museum work.
After her hard work, she was then appointed curator three years ago.
As the first citizen of the borough, Cllr Robinson-Payne will chair full council meetings, help to raise money for her chosen charities, and represent the borough and its people at functions, both inside and outside of the area.
She will be joined on some engagements by her daughter Niamh, 16, as mayor's consort.
Her chosen charities are Heart 2 Heart Norfolk, the Cinnamon Trust and Palliative Care East, the charity behind the Louise Hamilton Centre.
Cllr Robinson-Payne said: 'I think that heritage and young people will feature very heavily in my year.
'The rich cultural heritage of our borough is extremely important but also are the young people who are our future and need to be helped and encouraged to flourish in their own ways.'