Councillor Alwyn Jones, the current deputy mayor of Wokingham town council, has been voted mayor-elect for the forthcoming year.
At last weeks vote by town councillors, he said: “I was delighted and honoured when I was elected deputy mayor last year.
“The appointment meant a change of focus to who represents the town council at events which involved groups, businesses and charities.
“Therefore, the over-used phrases of going on a journey and a steep learning curve became the norm.
”My first event was the opening of a photographic exhibition which is something that you cannot realistically research. So, I entered the “arena” and my journalistic training when I left school came to the fore and so I engaged in “small talk” with the exhibitors.
“If I was to do a good job, then I needed a good support network. The mayor has been more than generous with her time and help;
“David Dunham knows what to do and Graham Winder is the key to organising the diary.
“The period since last May has seen meetings with different organisations and getting to know them and their contribution to the town.
“Slowly, my profile is increasing and that is something I want to continue with the promotion of more charities.
“I shall be also concentrating on celebrating the diversity of the town. The recent Lunar New Year event typifies where we are as a community.
“It will be a tough act for me to follow the current mayor who is outstanding, but with support across the board, I shall endeavour to do my very best.”
Cllr Alexandra Domingue was voted deputy mayor elect.
She said:”I have been a resident of Wokingham for over 11 years now, but prior to 2014 I also worked in adult social care at Wokingham borough council for five years.
“During that time I got to know Wokingham, and to see the breadth of people who live here from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, with a range of talents, abilities, and diversity.
“Even though I am not originally from Wokingham, I am proud to call it home and have always felt welcomed here by its thriving community.
”In part, the fact that I’m not originally “from” Wokingham, makes me fit right in, as I know so many people from other parts of the world who have made it their home too, and contribute alongside local residents to making it such a welcoming place to be.
“Many of you will know that I am involved in a charitable annual event called “Mitzvah Day”, the largest faith-led day of social action in the UK.
“My job is to help volunteers find different activities to give their time to, that support local charities or environmental causes. I get the privilege to see people really changed by this act of volunteering, and to get to know so many amazing charitable groups and people.
“I really feel humbled by what people give their time to do.
“I see my role as deputy mayor as a way to further honour and support the work of local charities and communities and the volunteers who support them.
“It will be a privilege to support the mayor, to celebrate and learn from the people who want to showcase the work that they do to help make Wokingham the great place that it is.
“I will take my role seriously and will be honoured to represent Wokingham town as deputy mayor.”
The town’s annual mayor-making ceremony is set to take place on May 10.
