Wokingham town has a new mayor. Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner was elected by the town council on Sunday.
Held in the Town Hall, the special ceremony was followed by a buffet lunch and then a parade from Rose Street to All Saints Church, for a civic service.
The mayor is an honorary year-long position and the post is elected at the annual mayor making ceremony, held every May, after the local elections.
During the meeting, children from St Paul’s Junior School sang and included The Wokingham Song, which speaks of the borough’s famous oaks. The West Forest Sinfonia string quartet also performed.
There was also a handover of the role of high steward – Lady Elisabeth Godsal has retired and her daughter, Lucy Zeal, has taken over.
Honorary appointments were made again: David Dunham as macebearer and mayor’s attendant; Nigel Hopkins as honorary town crier; David Ashley-Down as honorary constable; Stan Harris as honorary constable; Bernard Burton as honorary meteorologist and Damon Emes as honorary bugler.
A new appointment of Lt James Chappell as honorary parade marshal was made.
There was also a presentation to the outgoing mini-mayor, Caitlyn Hyde.
WATCH: See the civic parade with Saint Sebastian Band with our video news report
Afterwards a lunch reception, councillors – wearing formal dress – took part in a parade from Rose Street to All Saints Church. The line-up was led by the Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band.
The church service at All Saints was led by Canon David Hodgson.
Cllr McGhee-Sumner read 1 Timothy 2:1-4 as his Bible passage and an address was given by Mother Julie Mintern from St Paul’s Church. She serves as his chaplain.
Hymns included Great Is Thy Faithfulness and Lord For The Years.
A collection during the service was held, this will be shared by the mayor’s two charities of the year, Wokingham Foodbank and The Link Visiting Scheme.
Canon Hodgson led prayers for Mrs Zeal for her role as High Steward.
Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner said: “I’ve been a Wokingham resident since childhood, a Town Councillor for the Wescott ward since 2003, and I am very proud to be following in the footsteps of Wokingham’s very first Town Mayor, Thomas Manley Wescott.
“I’ve lived in the Wescott ward for the past 19 years with my wife, Judith.
“It is a great honour to be chosen as this year’s Wokingham Town Mayor and I am looking forward to serving the town in 2018/19.
“The coming year is one of the most important in the renewal of our town; much investment has been made to regenerate our town, and I look forward to working with the traders and businesses this year for the benefit of everyone connected to our town.
“I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible this year.”
Cllr McGee-Sumner’s deputy is Norreys ward councillor Malcolm Richards.
