'I always get told I'm too young to be the mayor'

Harry Atkinson, 25, is the borough's youngest ever mayor

"I always get two comments, 'Aren't you a little bit young to be the mayor?' or 'Are you the mayor's son?'"

At 25-years-old, Councillor Harry Atkinson is Erewash's youngest ever mayor, and might even be the youngest in the country.

After spending a year as deputy mayor to Councillor Kate Kennelly, Harry was handed the chain of office at Long Eaton Town Hall on Thursday 15 May.

He does not see his age as a "big deal" but hopes it helps younger people in his constituency feel represented.

Harry says it's important all ages are represented within the council

"We're quite lucky at Erewash, we've got a few young councillors and I think that's really important," he said.

"That your elected representatives are a broad representation of who's in your community.

"We should absolutely have people from the age of 18 all the way up to 180 and with different experiences and backgrounds."

Harry grew up in Long Eaton and works as an engineer at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station where he started as an apprentice and is now working to help decommission the facility.

As a scout leader, he raised £27,000 for his local group to install solar panels and battery storage and says when he is not involved in local politics he enjoys hill walking and restoring his friends Reliant Robin.

Harry says the variety of events he attends in his civic role is "huge"

Harry, who was elected Labour councillor for Sawley in 2023, jokes that the best part of his new role is wearing his civic regalia.

"But on a serious note, it's the visiting people, I didn't quite realise the vast nature of organisations that are out there.

"There is so many good people giving up their time and learning about those people has been really nice." He added.

His civic role has seen him tackle various public appearances from wielding a sledgehammer at the demolition of a disused cinema, to opening a duck race.

"I enjoy everything I go to, I really do, you only get one shot at this so I want to put as much enthusiasm and effort in as I can."