Sawbridgeworth mayor Reece Smith undergoes emergency surgery for appendicitis while on business trip to Spain

The mayor of Sawbridgeworth has undergone emergency surgery after falling ill on a business trip to Spain.

Cllr Reece Smith experienced a health scare while attending a work conference in Barcelona.

In a statement released on Thursday (November 7), town clerk Chris Hunt said: “After feeling unwell throughout the day, his condition worsened, prompting a visit to the hospital on Wednesday.

“There, he was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent emergency surgery.

“Doctors informed Cllr Smith that the appendicitis was quite advanced and, if left untreated, could have led to a serious condition.

“He has been advised to remain in the hospital for a few days until he is cleared to travel home to his family.”

In his absence, deputy mayor and fellow Conservative Cllr Salvatore Pagdades will cover his engagements.

Mr Hunt said: “The mayor expressed his hope to return to supporting the community as soon as possible.”

Cllr Smith, a 36-year-old father of two young girls, was unanimously elected to the post of mayor by his 11 fellow Sawbridgeworth town councillors in May 20.

Cllr Smith, whose consort is his partner Katie, is supporting Sawbridgeworth Young People’s Recreational Centre, based at Bullfields, and the town’s Scouts group as his chosen charities during his year in office.

The family moved to Sawbridgeworth from Greenwich in south-east London in 2021 and Cllr Smith was co-opted onto the town council in September 2022.

At 21, Cllr Pagdades became the youngest person in the town council’s history to take the role of deputy mayor when he was appointed.