Cllr Maxine Crawley, a district councillor for Redbourn since 2007, was officially made Deputy Mayor of the City and District of St Albans on 14 May 2008 at the annual council meeting.

Maxine Crawley was born in Enfield on 1st December 1964.  Her father was a doctor and her mother worked with nursing homes and hospices on a voluntary basis.  Maxine grew up in Barnet and passed the exam for Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls at nine, when the school moved from Acton to Elstree.  Her school years were very happy and she fondly remembers some inspiring teachers including ex St Albans District Mayor, Jenny Stroud!

After gaining an honours degree in psychology, Maxine completed a post graduate Private and Executive Secretary's Diploma.  She then travelled round the world stopping for several months in Australia, where she worked and made some lifelong friends at the local Roteract branch. On her return to England, Maxine worked as PA to Imran Khan, the cricketer, who was then Editor in Chief of a cricket magazine.  During the months he was away on cricket tours she learned all of the skills needed to write for and produce magazines, interviewing cricket buffs such as Peter O'Toole, Barry Norman and John Major.

Maxine then worked for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry where she produced their business magazine. Here she also met her future husband, Warwick Crawley.  Maxine had grown up enjoying special outings to St Albans and surrounding areas, so when the time came to choose a home, she and Warwick moved to Harpenden. They married in St Albans in May 1993 and their first child, Megan, was born in September 1994.  James followed in August 1997.  Both children attended Wood End School but Megan has now followed Maxine to Haberdashers' and James is in his last year at Redbourn Junior School to which he changed, following the family's move to Redbourn in 2004.

Maxine has always been interested in politics and, having worked for a local Redbourn business, was thrilled to be asked to stand for the Conservative Party at the elections. She was elected as a councillor for Redbourn in May 2007 and has thrown herself into the role, sitting on several committees including Planning and Parish Liaison and substituting on many more. She joined Redbourn Parish Council soon after she became a district councillor, and is thoroughly enjoying looking after the interests of the village and its residents. Maxine feels that the district's villages have a special atmosphere and is committed to retaining their qualities in a changing world.

Maxine enjoys travel, theatre, history and reading.  She is delighted to have been chosen to be Deputy Mayor and is looking forward to supporting the Mayor in his duties.  She feels very proud to be able to represent our district and looks forward to meeting many new people.

Davina Mansell, Information & Communication Officer, Public Relations
Tel: 01727 819316 Email: d.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk www.stalbans.gov.uk