Mark Fay, Mayor.

I moved to Ilfracombe 23 years ago along with my wife Karen and my four children. Prior to that I was in Reading in Berkshire. I worked for one of the largest IT companies in various capacities over the years, starting as a computer engineer back in 1981 and eventually ending up as a global support manager. Being in a global job meant that I could work from anywhere, so I chose to work from Ilfracombe. As I look back now, I can honestly say it was the best decision I could have made. Anyone who has moved with four children aged 16, 14,12 and 9 halfway across the country will appreciate that it came with some challenges but if I ask my kids now, they all agree Ilfracombe is home and they still love to come back as often as they can (along with my now 10 grandchildren!). All of my children went to school in Ilfracombe and all went on to university but here they were actively involved in the rugby club, the football club, the gig rowing, dance, drama, surfing, swimming, the list goes on. By default, so then was I. I am still a member of the rugby club, I was a member of the gig club and rowed in the world championships as a veteran (that was a bucket list moment), I was commodore of the yacht club for 3 years, I have been chairman of the 41 Club and currently the treasurer.

In 2021, I stood for election to Ilfracombe Town Council and to my complete and utter astonishment, the good people of Ilfracombe (well West ward) voted me in as their councillor. Once the initial congratulations were over, many asked me “so how much does that pay?”. Nothing I replied. Then, with a wink it was “of course, it’s all expenses, how much is the allowance?”. Nothing I replied. Then came “why do it then?”. My answer was simple: Ilfracombe has been good to me and now it’s time to try and return the favour. In 2021 I became Chairman of Staffing (I still am) and in 2022 I became Deputy Mayor for Dan Turton. Now in 2025, incredibly, I am your Mayor. It’s a real honour and I am looking forward to the year ahead.

Before I became a councillor, I freely admit I knew very little about local government. I had the same misconception as many others, namely: the council is “the council”, town, district and county are all the same thing really… I soon learned that wasn’t true (a bit like the pay and expenses). They are three separate entities, with different roles and responsibilities, not to mention different councillors and meeting in different offices. The role of the Town Council is to lobby upwards and try to get things for Ilfracombe out of the bigger pots. My other main misconception was that my £300 per month council tax that I pay was evenly distributed. Little did I know that the Town Council only got about £7 of that a month. So if you are wondering what the Town Council achieves with that little slice of the pie, I urge you to look at the ITC Strategic Plan on our website. It’s impressive! While you are on the website, look at the roles and responsibilities of district and county councils. It’s quite interesting.

Each mayor puts their own slant on the role. For me, I see my year as an ambassador for Ilfracombe. This town has a lot to offer, from its natural beauty, to its stunning architecture, to its community spirit. Yes Ilfracombe has some challenges, but so does everywhere else and often even more so. I’ll keep promoting Ilfracombe and I hope you will join me.

All the best,

Mark