BROMSGROVE’S newly-elected first citizen is already getting himself all steamed up – and he’s only held the prestigious role for a week.

But, it’s not the daunting prospect of having to keep a bunch of often vociferous district councillors under control in the council chamber.

Chris Scurrell is very excited about an important event he’s organising in July and which is very dear to his heart.

Chris is the latest in a long and distinguished line of district councillors to have been elected chairman of Bromsgrove District Council. After serving as vice-chairman for the past 12 months, he was elected to the top job at last Wednesday’s annual meeting.

Chairmen traditionally choose a couple of charities to support during their year in office, but Chris has gone one better and picked three.

They are the West Midlands Air Ambulance, British Heart Foundation and the Noah’s Ark Trust – a charity which supports youngsters who have lost a parent.

Two of the charities are of special interest to him. At the tender age of two Chris lost his mum and he had to undergo a heart operation a year ago.

“And anyone of us may at some time need the air ambulance,” he said.

Chris, an unashamed, passionate steam train enthusiast, is pinning his hopes on raising cash for his charities on The Bromsgrove Flyer.

He is a travelling ticket inspector with the Severn Valley Railway and has chartered a steam-hauled special for the evening of Saturday, July 18, to run from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth with a stop at the delightful country station at Arley.

Passengers are invited to take a picnic to enjoy on the train or by the river at Arley.

“I hope people will come along and enjoy what promises to be a super summer night of pure nostalgia and help raise cash for three very worthwhile causes,” he said.

Chris, aged 65, retired from his job as a production engineer with Land Rover in 2000.

His parents lived in Margate, where his father taught woodwork. They were evacuated to Lichfield during the war, where Chris was born.

His parents later returned south and Chris, after leaving school and marrying his first wife, got a job with ICI paints before moving into the automotive industry in the Midlands.

A spell at the Rover plant at Longbridge preceded his spell at Land Rover.

In 2001, in a by-election, he won a seat at Hagley for the Conservatives and he has been a parish councillor for the Fairfield ward on Belbroughton Parish Council for 14 years.

Chris and his wife Meriel, who hails from Rowley Regis and who will be his consort during his year in office, live in Fairfield.

They have five children and ten grandchildren between them.

Another grandchild is expected this week.

Asked about his passion for steam trains, a hobby which has seen him travel to among other countries China, India and the USA, he shrugs: “I wish I could put my finger on it. I suppose I simply like the atmosphere, the sounds and smells and everything that goes to make up steam railways,” he says.

Reflecting on his role as chairman, Chris added: “It is a great honour and I am determined to do my best to be a good ambassador for the council and the district.”

Tickets for The Bromsgrove Flyer trip are on sale priced at £15 adults and children five to 15 £5.

They are available from the Bromsgrove Customer Service Centre, in School Drive, on 01527 881288.