This is my first column for the Ipswich Flyer as Mayor of Ipswich, and it truly is the greatest honour of my life to be your Mayor for this civic year.
As I have just been elected, I would first like to introduce myself – my name is Elango Elavalakan, and I moved to Ipswich in 2006 with my wife Manchula. I’ve been a borough councillor for the St. John’s ward in Ipswich since 2014, and I am passionate about empowering communities and representing those in need.
While we are not Ipswich born and bred, we chose to make Ipswich our home 18 years ago and fell in love with the town straight away.

Having experienced life in different countries and continents, I truly appreciate everything that our town has to offer. When I moved here, I fell in love with the many beautiful parks, the stunning Waterfront, the local independent shops, the stunning buildings from the old, such as the Ancient House, to the new, like the award-winning Willis building.

There is a thriving arts and cultural scene in our town, and so much history and heritage to enjoy. Not to mention a Premier League Football club!
And I have already seen so much of this since I became Mayor in the middle of May. I have learned of plans to renovate the Great White Horse Hotel, cheered on racers in the Dragon Boat Races on the Waterfront, I have enjoyed watching the students of Suffolk College demonstrating their talents at a Showcase event, and I have learned about the contributions of the Windrush generation and their families to Ipswich.

My Mayoral “theme” for this year is “Support and Wellbeing”, as I believe it is important to support those that need it, and also that positive wellbeing is essential for everyone. To that end, the two charities that I wish to support during my year as Mayor are Cancer Support Suffolk and Genesis Orwell Mencap, and I look forward to raising as much money as possible for these valuable organisations in the year ahead.