Having suffered from a bout of chronic clinical depression 20 years ago, Appleby’s mayor Gareth Hayes could see the warning signs and knew he didn’t want to go there again.
He tendered his resignation from Appleby Town Council, echoing the words of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who stood down, saying: “I no longer have enough in the tank.”
Appleby-born Gareth, who was elected as mayor in June, 2020, had served as a town councillor for about eight years after returning to home soil in 2014.
He told the Herald that having been head boy at the town’s grammar school, becoming mayor was a dream beyond possible, because he was living away in the South East.
His working career consisted of 39 years in clinical research and alongside that he spent 12 years as a music journalist for Rock n Reel magazine.
In his letter of resignation, Gareth, 63, said: “I genuinely set out to be an average mayor by aiming to do the basics brilliantly and be a presence in and out of the town.
“I believe I’ve done that. It’s a tough decision yet I know that the people who mind don’t matter, and the people who matter, won’t mind. My mental and heart health must be preserved.”
Twenty years ago, Gareth had a bout of chronic clinical depression and, he said, nearly died as a result. “I don’t want to go there again,” he added. He is now actively involved on a daily basis with the support group which picked him up and pointed him in the right direction.
“The experience I’ve gained from working with them and the people who reach out has given me the toolkit to spot the sniper on the roof. That means I can take action ahead of a potentially irreversible situation. That’s what I have done,” said Gareth. Of his mayoral career, Gareth, who has three children, Natalie, Amos, and Millicent, said there were two things which will stick with him and his family forever.
“Firstly, to represent the town during the sad occasions of both the death of Prince Philip then Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and later to read the proclamation for our new monarch King Charles has been a true honour and privilege.
“Secondly, and the most profound, is to be a proud part of our community that offered me the opportunity to deliver prescription medication to those grounded by COVID, notably the lady who two decades ago nursed my dad through his last days. Being able to give back with gratitude is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Gareth. What he will do now is “rest and refuel” before seeing what life has to offer him next.
He added: “If, after reading this, one person gets the courage to put their hand up and says ‘I’m struggling, I need help, then the whole shebang will be worth it.”
Martin Stephenson, who is at present the town’s deputy mayor, will take charge of chairing the remaining meetings of Appleby Town Council ahead of the election of a new council in May.
Before that, April will see the dawn of a new unitary authority when Westmorland and Furness replaces Eden and the present county council.
“A lot of people were saddened by the fact that we were going to be Westmorland and Furness, but I think we have to seize the opportunity to accept change with Westmorland and Furness and make use of it,” added Gareth. And in terms of Appleby, and its immediate future, he said he would still be rattling collecting tins for the £90,000 platinum playground appeal.
