My Local Life… Mary Antony, Major of Royston
This month, we caught up with the new Mayor of Royston, Mary Antony.
Mary has lived in Royston for the past ten years and during that time has been involved in the community through church, school and hobbies. She’s a UK citizen of Indian origin, born and raised in Mumbai, before moving to Baroda in India after she married Robin Antony, then moving to the UK. They have two children, Rhea and Reeve. Mary has been an educator for the most part of her life, working as a teacher and Principal of a school.
Tell us about your role as Mayor and what you hope to achieve over the coming year?
As a Mayor l preside over the full council meetings and have been a member of different committees. I represent the Town Council on different charities and businesses in town. I stand to promote local business and support our students and the elderly.
What’s your favourite local place to eat and why?
My favourite local place to eat is quite debatable as in Royston we have so many restaurants each as good as the other. If a dish is good in one restaurant then there is some yummy dish in the other.
There is varied choice too in Royston, be it Chinese, Indian, Thai, Malayasian, Pizzas or Kebabs.
So I can’t choose one place as my favourite place to eat.
Tell us about the Food Festival that you organised?
Indian cuisine varies from state to state but there are no boundaries when it comes to enjoying the food. The food festival l organised in Royston gives an opportunity for the people to try different food and an occasion to exhibit culinary skills.
What is the last book you read?
“You Can Win” by Shiv Khera is a book l have recently read. It is about using positive thinking to affect your attitude, renewed sense of purpose and life in general.
What makes you happy?
Making small differences in someone’s life makes me happy. It varies from a sincere smile to cooking a meal for the sick.
What is your most valued possession?
My valued possession is my family but when you leave your country and decide to choose a new place to live and especially when the people are so friendly and cooperative then the friends in the new place become the extended family.
What is your favourite Royston experience?
People are friendly and their acceptance of differences. It is great to see the small-town values influencing our lives even today.
What is your favourite place in the world?
My favourite place in my heart would be India but now living in Royston, I love this place and I’m happy with my decision to live here so my heart chooses Royston as my favourite place.
What inspirational quote sums you up?
The inspirational code I believe is “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”- Mahatma Gandhi.
