There was a changing of the Guard at the Guildhall this evening. Malcolm Hill carried the Mace into the Mayor Making Ceremony for the final time this evening – having held the Office of Honorary Macebearer since 2003.
Nigel Luker became the new Honorary Macebearer and carried the Mace out of the Ceremony.
Malcolm is seen here after the ceremony. He was presented with a certificate by the outgoing Mayor, Angela Lawrence.
Angela gave Mayor’s awards to the chair of governors of the three state secondary schools in Abingdon:
Lynn Fathers – Fitzharrys
Paul Brooks – John Mason
David Lever – Larkmead
Angela commented that the position of school governor is a far more demanding role these days. Governors are held to account for how their school is performing, and need to come to grips with all kinds of data.
Mayor’s Awards were also given to:
Wendy Barratt – Abingdon Breakaway Club,
Dr Tony Gillman – Abingdon, Didcot, and Wantage Talking Newspaper (DAWN)
The incoming Mayor is Helen Pighills,
and her deputy is Alice Badcock.
The new town council also had quite a few different faces.
After a year of intensive Mayoring, it feels very strange to not be any more.
It’s been a wonderful year, so varied, interesting and enjoyable. Abingdon is a great town full of so many talented and kind people.
I’m sure it will be the same for Helen, and I wish her all the best. She Gave me excellent support as my Deputy and she will.be a very good Mayor.
Angela, hopefully at some point The Bear Club will be able to let the words Mrs or Miss Mayor pass their lips when you meet them!