Bhaskaran Brown, Duncan: - Duncan has always been involved in politics. He first stood in an election at twenty-two and having hung around on Abingdon Town Council for long enough they put a chain around his neck at thirty-two. People said he changed expectations of what a mayor should be. His dynamic, down to earth approach was certainly a breath of fresh air. After he had stood down he found people kept asking him for advice. They wanted to know how they could inject the same passion and personality into their time in office. Never one to do things by half Duncan set about developing a system to help people get ready for the challenge of being a civic leader. He realised he needed to get examples of best practice from across the country. He set about getting to know mayors and chairs through social media, local papers and word of mouth. As a result, he has worked with civic leaders from all parts of the UK and even a few from Australia and the USA. The culmination of this work is the system contained in this book. Duncan rather sensibly married his mayoress Sreeja. They live in Abingdon with their beautiful daughter Leela. As yet she has expressed no interest in politics but then she is only two years old. In his spare time Duncan is a morris dancer. A few years ago, he was elected Mock Mayor of Ock Street meaning he is probably the only person in the world to have been a civic mayor and a mock mayor. He is also very good at making soup.