Episode 4: The Mayor and Mayoress of St Neots (Richard and Clair Slade)

The Slades: Community, Creativity, and Civic Pride in St NeotsShow Notes:In this episode of The People’s Republic of St Neots, Stephen sits down with Richard and Clair Slade — the current Mayor and Mayoress of St Neots.This is not a conversation about party politics. Instead, it’s a story about people, place, and community.We wind the clock back to Richard’s journey to St Neots, exploring what drew him to the town and what it was like putting down roots here. From there, the conversation moves into community advocacy, creativity, and the early days of local civic life — including the founding of The Neotists, their community arts collective, and the festivals and projects that have helped shape the town’s cultural identity.Richard also reflects on his evolving view of the mayoralty itself — from once questioning the value of the role to wearing the chain with pride for two consecutive terms — and what the experience of being Mayor has taught him about representation, visibility, and service.Throughout, both Richard and Clair share insights into what it means to be visible, approachable faces of the town, and how civic life can be joyful, creative, and inclusive.At its heart, this episode is a celebration of local leadership rooted in community — and a sense of civic pride that is both strong and stable.