Jane begins her year as Leeds' new mayor

Coun Jane Dowson was confirmed as the city’s 124th Lord Mayor after winning unanimous support from members of all parties at Leeds City Council’s annual meeting.

Born and bred in Leeds, Coun Dowson has been a ward councillor since 2004 and has served as executive board member for education and deputy executive member for children and families for five years.

She has chosen Leeds-based children’s cancer charity Candlelighters as the official good cause that she will support during her year in office.

Coun Dowson said: “I feel immensely proud to be given the opportunity to represent our great city as Lord Mayor over the next year. As someone who was born and raised in Leeds, to have the chance to be Lord Mayor is a huge honour. My husband Alan and I cannot wait to start our new roles and meet some of the wonderful people who live in the city through our engagements.

“This year I will be supporting the local charity Candlelighters which supports families facing children’s cancer in Yorkshire, and we are looking forward to raising lots of money to support the very special work that they do.”

A mother of two and grandmother of four, Coun Dowson is a fan of folk music and is also a keen backer of Leeds’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2023.

She attends Leeds Grand Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse and the City Varieties as often as she can. Coun Dowson takes over from Coun Gerry Harper in the role of mayor.