A former teacher and council leader vowed to help improve people’s quality of life, as he became Mayor of Eastbourne. 

Conservative Graham Marsden officially took the chain of office from Tory colleague Barbara Goodall at the annual borough council meeting yesterday.  He told the town hall gathering that everyone must play a part to help maintain Eastbourne as a leading resort. 

In his acceptance speech, Councillor Marsden said: “We must look up at the big picture and not down at the ground.  That is the challenge I have set myself.” 

Mr Marsden was born on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, and after he left school, did his national service in the RAF.  He studied at London and Loughborough Universities and qualified as a teacher in 1961.  He taught in Essex and Kent, before joining Eastbourne Grammar School for Boys.  Then he joined Cavendish School in Eldon Road, Eastbourne, in 1979 and retired in 1988 after becoming deputy head in 1984. 

Councillor Marsden was elected to Eastbourne Borough Council in 1991, serving as an Upperton ward councillor in successive elections.  Of his new role, he said: “One of my key aims this year will be to promote Eastbourne as a place for inward investment and economic regeneration.”

He outlined Eastbourne’s efforts to alter people’s perception of it as a dowdy retirement town.  He said the average age now is about 40 and schemes such as the council’s Change Your View poster campaign had sought to attract younger visitors. 

Coun Marsden also plans to peg council tax at or below inflation and deliver more efficient services. 

He highlighted Eastbourne’s important events such as Airbourne and the international women’s tennis, which are essential in attracting millions of pounds to the town’s economy.  Work on opening up Eastbourne town centre to redevelopment will also continue. 

Coun Marsden has chosen Cardiac Risk in the Young as his charity for the year.  He revealed he taught Jeremy Cole before his death, aged 14, from sudden cardiac syndrome, ten years ago. 

Since the tragedy, Jeremy’s parents, Nigel and Jenny, who attended the meeting, have led a campaign calling for widespread cardiac screening to help parents detect heart problems in their children. 

Coun Marsden married his wife Kay in 1961 and they have one son, James, and a 16-month-old granddaughter, Melissa. 

He became deputy leader of the Conservative group in 1993 and then group leader in 1999.  He served as council leader between May 2000 and May 2002 and regained the position again in 2004. 

Away from politics, he enjoys playing gold and is a member of the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club.  He is also a member of the RAF Association and enjoys gardening and travelling, particularly in France.