Tributes paid to outgoing Worthing mayor: 'To this day I'm so glad I ever met Hazel'

Mrs Thorpe was replaced by Castle ward councillor Lionel Harman on Tuesday (May 26) after a 12-month tenure sadly curtailed by the coronavirus lockdown.

Despite the cancellation of many fundraising events over the last few months, Mrs Thorpe had still attended a remarkable 300 face-to-face engagements and raised more than £15,000 for her chosen charities – Care for Veterans, the NSPCC and West Sussex Mind.

Wendy Greene has known Mrs Thorpe for more than 17 years and served as a member of her charity fundraising team.

She said one of the former mayor’s greatest strengths lay in her ability to bring the community together and inspire the best out of those around her.

“I’ve worked with a lot of mayors over the years, they’ve all been great but I think Hazel’s the best,” she said.

“The charity committee has become a little group of friends during her time – she’s so easy to work with, I find you do things for her because you want to. She’s always there for people as a councillor and always been very kind and helpful over the years. She never hesitates when you need help so that’s why no-one hesitates to help her.”

Wendy also paid tribute to Mrs Thorpe’s husband and mayor’s consort Robin Rogers for his constant support and for being a ‘really nice chap’, as well as youth mayor Jimi Taylor who she said had made an amazing contribution during his 12 months in position.

She reflected on September’s variety show at Worthing Assembly Hall as a highlight of Mrs Thorpe’s tenure and the show’s producer, Jorgen Booth, was equally as effusive in his praise.

He said: “Writing and producing a show was nothing new for me, but meeting Mayor Hazel unfolded as a new and enriching experience.

“For me the mayor of Worthing proved to be a most wonderfully charming lady with a clear mind for business, a sharp eye for opportunity and such a gracious way of dealing with people that made it impossible to ever say no to her.

“During the months it took to put the show on stage I learned all over again what hard work is all about and yet, by her own sheer hard work and inspirational attitude, it all became possible and successful. To this day I am so glad I ever met Hazel.”

West Sussex Mind's fundraising manager, Debbie Watkins, said the charity was delighted when Mrs Thorpe selected it as one of her chosen three and commended the way all three charities had worked with the former mayor to raise funds.

They thanked Mrs Thorpe for all her hard work and commitment to putting on 'excellent' events.

Rosemary Hannam from the NSPCC brought further praise and thanked Mrs Thorpe for her 'kind support' in attending events where NSPCC was the beneficiary, presenting prizes and thanking those who had lent their support to the charity.

"It has been wonderful to be a part of this mayoral year and we are truly grateful for the fantastic amount raised, which will be put to good use reaching children locally with our ‘Speak out Stay safe’ messaging," said Rosemary.

Newly elected mayor Lionel Harman has chosen Worthing Mencap’s Buddy’s drop-in centre and information hub, Worthing Sea Cadets and The Worthing Society as his three charities.

On Tuesday he pledged to return the town to 'some form of normal'. Read more here: Worthing’s new mayor pledges to help town return to ‘some form of normal’