The Town Mayor is the first citizen of the town and is elected to the post by fellow Councillors at the Town Council’s annual meeting in May each year. The role of Mayor is a non-political position and during the mayoral year, a Mayor puts aside council duties to concentrate on the role as the town’s first citizen.
The Mayor chairs Council meetings and attends many functions within the town. These include representing the Council at civic functions, receiving dignitaries, opening events, talking to clubs and societies and visiting schools. The Mayor asks the Deputy Mayor to stand in if they are not available.
The current Mayor is Councillor Rob Comber
The current Deputy Mayor is Councillor Louise Timlin
Cllr Rob Comber says: “I am particularly pleased to be taking office at this time, the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the role of Wokingham Town Mayor.
Over these fifty years Wokingham has changed significantly, due to both national and local factors, and I hope that throughout that time, it has been a friendly and welcoming place. Certainly in the thirty years that I have lived in the town itself, I have found it a wonderful place to live, to work, and to have a family. I put myself forward for election to the Town Council, and later for the role of Mayor, because I wanted to help ensure it remains so for the next generation.
For me, one of the wonderful aspects of the Town Council is that a large part of what we do is focused around bringing the community together, and to create opportunities to improve the experience of living here for all the residents of the town. From the marvellous Wokingham Fun Day, which provides a lot of free entertainment for the children of the town, through the summer Party in the Park, which is for all ages, to the Firework evening, all parts of the town can, and do, come together. From the recently established Lunar Festival, through Wokingham in Bloom, to the Christmas tree lights, we strive to enhance everyone’s experience of Wokingham.
One of the things I have found in my work for the council is the sheer number of people in Wokingham who are involved in charities, in support groups, and who contribute in whatever way they feel they can. I have been both astonished and considerably humbled by the generosity of so many people who have given of their time, effort, and money, in support of everything from the young to the old, from open spaces to individual trees, in groups large and small. A year ago, I did not know whether I would have the time, the commitment, or the drive to be Mayor. Now I know I do. I am honoured to have been elected as Mayor of this wonderful town.
If there is anything I can do to help, as Mayor, by attending your organisation’s events, or otherwise contributing, please contact me at mayor@wokingham-tc.gov.uk.”
WOKINGHAM TOWN MAYORS
2023 Sally Gurney
2022 Maria Gee
2021 Tony Lack
2020 Tony Lack
2019 Lynn Forbes
2018 Julian McGhee-Sumner
2017 Peter Lucey
2016 Gwynneth Hewetson
2015 Philip Mirfin
2014 Martin Bishop
2013 Martin Bishop
2012 Peter Martin Lucey
2011 Peter Martin Lucey
2010 UllaKarin Clark
2009 UllaKarin Clark
2008 Brian Willis
2007 Brian Willis
2006 Dianne King
2005 H (Danny) Miller
2004 H (Danny) Miller
2003 Philip Norman Harding
2002 Linda Barnes
2001 Anthony Barber
2000 Anthony Barber
1999 Frederick William Clark
1998 Philip Norman Harding
1997 Jack Lawrence Earnshaw
1996 Tina Marinos
1995 Ann Amanda Davis
1994 Charles Philip Hudson
1993 Charles Philip Hudson
1992 Robert John Wyatt
1991 Jeanne Burnett-Wilson
1990 Frederick William Clark
1989 Frederick William Clark
1988 John Peter Green
1987 John Peter Green
1986 Marion Fergusson Kelly
1985 Keith Cattran
1984 Ann Amanda Davis
1983 David Rees Ireland
1982 David Rees Ireland
1981 William Frederick Donald Austin
1980 Marion Fergusson Kelly
1979 John Debenham Butcher
1978 Peter Alexander Henton Johnson
1977 Robert Benjamin Naish
1976 Margaret Büsst
1975 Alfred George Skedgel
1974 John William Tattersall
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH MAYORS
1973 Stanley Leonard Bowyer
1972 Ian Robert Henry Crail
1971 Reginald Child
1970 Edward John West
1969 Horace Alfred Chapman
1968 Jean Marjorie Davy
1967 Ernest Everitt Bland
1966 William Charles Arthur Smith
1965 John Edwin Chapman
1964 John Edwin Chapman
1963 Phyllys Pleasance Pigott
1962 Phyllys Pleasance Pigott
1961 Phyllys Pleasance Pigott
1960 Alfred George Skedgel
1959 Frank Moles
1958 Frank Moles
1957 Ernest William Goodchild
1956 Cecily Elizabeth Arnold La Bouchardière
1955 William John Willey
1954 Reginald Hooper Brimblecombe
1953 Walter Granville Jackson
1952 Albert Thomas Ilott
1951 William John Willey
1950 Stanley Leonard Bowyer
1949 Mary Hay Corfield
1948 Mary Hay Corfield
1947 Mary Hay Corfield
1946 Norman Carson Lawrence
1945 David Goddard
1944 Walter Charles Fullbrook
1943 George Alfred Cheeseman
1942 Ernest William Reeves
1941 Ernest William Reeves
1940 Ernest William Reeves
1939 Ernest William Reeves
1938 James Egerton Thorpe
1937 Frank Stanley Perkins
1936 Frederick John Barrett
1935 Frederick John Barrett
1934 Henley Frank Curl
1933 Charles Mansfield
1932 Albert Ebenezer Priest
1931 Albert Ebenezer Priest
1930 Albert Ebenezer Priest
1929 Albert Ebenezer Priest
1928 Ernest Seward Whaley
1927 John Bridges Eustace
1926 John Bridges Eustace
1925 John Bridges Eustace
1924 John Bridges Eustace
1923 John Bridges Eustace
1922 Moses Blake
1921 Moses Blake
1920 Philip Sale
1919 William Thomas Martin
1918 Henry Charles Mylne
1917 Henry Charles Mylne
1916 Henry Charles Mylne
1915 Henry Charles Mylne
1914 Henry Charles Mylne
1913 Henry Charles Mylne
1912 William Thomas Martin
1911 William Thomas Martin
1910 Henry Charles Mylne
1909 Daniel Norton Heron
1908 Daniel Norton Heron
1907 Henry Charles Mylne
1906 William Thomas Martin
1905 Henry Charles Mylne
1904 Henry Charles Mylne
1903 John Headington
1902 Edwin Cecil Hughes
1901 Edwin Cecil Hughes
1900 Edwin Cecil Hughes
1899 Thomas Manley Wescott
1898 William White
1897 Daniel Norton Heron
1896 George Thorne Phillips
1895 Edwin Ifould
1894 George Thorne Phillips
1893 William Barnard Mower
1892 William White
1890 Daniel Norton Heron
1889 William Moorcock
1888 Thomas Briant Martin
1887 William Goodchild
The Mayor’s Chaplain is chosen by the Mayor, and is an honorary title
They offer prayers/thoughts before Council meetings and relevant occasions, and provide ad-hoc support to Mayors, as requested.
Below is a list of the former Chaplains:
| Year | Chaplain | Affiliation |
| 2023/2024 | Helen Jefferies | Humanist Celebrant |
| 2021/2022 | Reverend Judi Hattaway | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2020/2021 | Reverend Judi Hattaway | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2019/2020 | Reverend Hannah Higginson | All Saints Church |
| 2018/2019 | Reverend Mthr Julie Mintern | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2017/2018 | Reverend Catherine Bowstead | Methodist Church |
| 2016/2017 | Reverend Anna Harwood | All Saints Church |
| 2015/2016 | Father Richard Lamey | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2014/2015 | Reverend Nick Hudson | Baptist Church |
| 2013/2014 | Reverend Nick Hudson | Baptist Church |
| 2012/2013 | Reverend Nick Thompson | Methodist Church |
| 2011/2012 | Reverend Nick Thompson | Methodist Church |
| 2010/2011 | Reverend David Webster | St. Nicholas Church, Earley |
| 2009/2010 | Reverend David Webster | St. Nicholas Church, Earley |
| 2008/2009 | Major Lynn Hawkins | The Salvation Army |
| 2007/2008 | Reverend Ken Flood | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2006/2007 | Father John Connell | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2005/2006 | Father John Connell | St. Paul’s Church |
| 2004/2005 | Reverend Paul Cowan | All Saints Church |
| 2003/2004 | Reverend Bryan Coates | Methodist Church |
| 2002/2003 | Captains Ian and Susan Woodgate | The Salvation Army |
| 2001/2002 | Reverend Bryan Coates | Methodist Church |
| 2000/2001 | Reverend Professor Anthony Kemp | St. Paul’s Church |
The Mayor is keen to support local organisations, businesses and charities and is always pleased to receive an invitation to attend a special event.
The Mayor / Deputy Mayor will wear his / her chain and badge of office unless we are advised that it is not required.
Please read the guidelines about Mayoral Protocol, which can be found in item below
If you would like the Mayor to attend your function, please complete the form below and click the Submit button.
Mr Graham Winder
Civic and Town Mayor′s Office
Town Hall
Market Place
Wokingham
RG40 1AS
These guidelines set out the protocol that should be observed at events which the Mayor attends in an official capacity.
Precedence
As the Mayor is the first citizen of the Town, this means that only HM The Queen, members of the Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant take precedence over the Mayor at events in the Town.
However the Wokingham Borough Mayor, if present, will always take precedence over the Town and Parish Chairman, unless the Town Council or Parish is hosting the event. Wokingham Borough has 14 Parish and 3 Town Councils, each with their own Chairman or Mayor.
The Deputy Mayor
If the Mayor is unable to attend a function the Deputy Mayor will attend where possible and should be accorded the same protocol as the Mayor.
Arrival and departure
If you are inviting the Mayor to your event, you should ensure that a named person meets the Mayor on arrival and makes introductions to the host or notable guests. It would also be preferable for the Mayor to be escorted from the venue at the time of departure. Where possible, a parking space should be reserved for the Mayor’s car as near to the venue entrance as possible.
Addressing the Mayor
The Mayor’s correct title is The Worshipful the Mayor of Wokingham Town Council.
The style of address for civic posts is largely a matter of custom and tradition and as Wokingham is a very traditional town where a Mayor has been present since 1885, people commonly address the Mayor as “Your worship” as has been done for a number of years.
However, there are a number of variations for addressing the Mayor including the following, all of which may be used and are correct:
- “Mr Mayor”
- “Mr Town Mayor”
- “Madam Mayor” (if the Mayor is a lady)
- “Madam Town Mayor” (if the Mayor is a lady)
- “Your Worship”
- “Your Worshipful the Town Mayor of Wokingham” (more formal situations)
Below are some recommendations to help you:
For correspondence:
‘Your Worshipful the Town Mayor of Wokingham, Councillor (and their name).’/p>
Then ‘Dear Mr Mayor’ or ‘Dear Madam Mayor’
For introductions at a formal dinner or function:
‘Your Worshipful the Town Mayor of Wokingham, Councillor (and their name).
After formal introductions, it is acceptable for people to use one of the above forms of address.
Less formal event, e.g. opening school fete, new premises:
“Mr Mayor’ or ‘Madam Mayor’
Where both the Wokingham Town Mayor and the Borough Mayor are present at an event, a formal distinction should be made and it is suggested that the Town Mayor is addressed as “Mr/Madam Town Mayor.”
The Mayor’s Attendant
The Mayor’s Attendant will accompany the Mayor to most engagements where he/she is wearing the Chain of Office. Their role is to primarily safeguard the chain.
The current Mayor’s Attendant is Mr David Dunham.
Table seating
In any formal seating arrangements (dinners, etc), the Mayor should be seated on the immediate right of the host/chairperson, with the only exception being when the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire is present, a member of the Royal family or the Borough Mayor, in which case the Mayor should be on the immediate left of the chairman. The Mayoress (or Mayor’s Consort) should be seated on the immediate left of the chairman, except when the Mayor sits on the chairman’s left, in which case the Mayoress (or Consort) should sit on the Mayor’s left.
Toasts and speeches
If you wish the Mayor to propose or respond to a toast or to make a speech prior notice must be given and further details should be supplied on the questionnaire booking form.
The press
If it is important for the press to attend an event where the Mayor is attending, please contact them directly.
Each year the Mayor chooses a charity to support during his or her year in office. This year the Mayor has chosen Share Wokingham.
If you would like to make a donation to the Mayor’s Charity, please contact the Civic Officer
The following charities have been supported in previous years:
| Year | Charity |
| 2023/24 | Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs |
| 2022/23 | 2022/23 Kaleidoscopic UK |
| 2020/21 | 3rd Wokingham, Mayor’s Own, Scout Group |
| 2019/20 | Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre |
| 2018/19 | Wokingham Foodbank and The Link visiting Scheme |
| 2017/18 | WADE and Keep Mobile. |
| 2016/17 | Soulscape |
| 2015/16 | Macmillan Cancer Care |
| 2014/15 | High Close School, Wokingham (Barnardo’s) |
| 2013/14 | Scouting and Girl Guiding in Wokingham |
| 2012/13 | Wokingham & District Association for the Elderly |
| 2011/12 | Wokingham Citizens Advice Bureau |
| 2010/11 | Wokingham Crossroads Care |
| 2009/10 | Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Wokingham Hospital |
| 2008/09 | The Me2Club |
| 2007/08 | The Alzheimer’s Society |
| 2006/07 | Wokingham District Cancer Care Trust |
| 2005/06 | Make a Wish |
| 2004/05 | Dingley Family and Play Therapy Group |
| 2003/04 | Wokingham Hospital Pavillion Appeal |
| 2002/03 | Westmead |
| 2001/02 | Imperial Cancer Research Fund |
| 2000/01 | Wokingham United Charities |
| 1999/00 | Wokingham Partially Sighted |
The Mini-Mayor role is an initiative where the Town Council works with Wokingham primary schools to select a Year 6 pupil to become Mini-Mayor during their school year. Once appointed, the Mini-Mayor attends some key Wokingham events with the Mayor and we see this as a great opportunity for a young pupil to play a bigger part in the community and be a real role model and ambassador for their school. The current Mini-Mayor is Celia Chandler from Evendons Primary School.
The following pupils were appointed in previous years:
2023/2024 Leah Vas (Floreat Montague Park Primary School)
2022/23 Jayden Hawie (Windmill Primary School)
2021/22 Joseph Gallagher (St. Teresa’s Catholic Primary School)
2019/20 Stanley Shambrook (Evendons)
2018/19 Amber Murray (Westende)
2017/18 Caitlyn Hyde (St. Paul’s)
2016/17 Elysia Ellis (Westende)
2015/16 George Bradley (Hawthorns)
2014/15 Joseph Southan (St Teresa’s)
2013/14 Lucy Parker (Hawthorns)
Lord-Lieutenant
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants are the representatives of the Crown for each county in the United Kingdom.
Click here to find out more.
The current Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire is Mr Andrew Try.
The Town Council invites the Lord-Lieutenant to attend key events but he is understandably not able to be present at them all.
High Sheriff
The role of the High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year.
Click here to find out more.
Berkshire’s High Sheriff for 2024/2025 is Alexander Barfield
The Town Council invites the High Sheriff to attend key events.
High Steward
Unlike the High Sheriff, the role of High Steward does not change each year; the position is for life or at such time he/she feels that are unable to continue with the office. Each has its own coat of arms which can be seen inside the Town Hall.
Historically, a High Steward would have been an eminent man, who was a medium of communication between the Crown, the government and the town. In more modern terms he would have the ear of the king and government ministers and would “lobby” on behalf of the inhabitants of Wokingham. This is not the case anymore although the High Steward today should still be an eminent man or woman, and should be someone who can get involved with all the people of note in the town.
The High Steward of Wokingham is Lucy Zeal who was appointed in 2018
We can offer talks to local groups of adults, schoolchildren, cubs and scouts, brownies and guides etc.
We will show each group the main rooms in the Town Hall and talk about its history. Some of the Town Silver will be displayed, including the Mace and also the Mayoral robe, hat and Badge of Office. If the Mayor is available when a talk takes place, he/she will also attend.
A typical talk typically takes approximately one hour and once finished, the group is offered some refreshments. However, talks can be tailored to reflect requirements, size of group etc.
Background
The Civic Award Scheme was initiated in 1997 for the purposes of recognising exceptional contributions to community life by people in our town.
Each year, the Town Council looks for people who deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements and support to others in Wokingham. This is your opportunity to give something back to those who care.
Click here to see a list of award recipients in previous years.
What we are looking for
We are looking for Wokingham people from all parts of our community and of all ages, who have made an exceptional contribution to our town.
We are looking for those who have:
- worked to make Wokingham a truly welcoming and inclusive town
- provided exceptional service to their family or community
- added to the cultural life of the town
- found ways of making us a more environmentally friendly and sustainable town
Some examples may include:
- making Wokingham a better place to live and work, and ensuring that the benefits of the town are open to all
- building bridges between different parts of the community and increasing tolerance and understanding
- caring for the wellbeing and safety of others and enhancing the wellbeing and safety of those who live in the town
- enhancing the education and development of young people and children
- making us a more environmentally friendly town
- helping others to enjoy the history and heritage of the town
- enhancing and increasing access to and participation in arts, including music and creative leisure activities
- enhancing and increasing access to and participation in sport, physical activity and recreational pursuits
The Award process and Ceremony
The nomination process is open from March to November each year.
An on-line nomination form is required to be completed for each individual who is being recommended for an award. Two people are required to make a nomination, and each is required to complete the on-line form below, separately.
The nominations will be judged in early December, by a selection panel of judges which include representatives from the community, members of Wokingham Town Council’s Civic Committee and the High Steward of Wokingham.
Successful nominees will be notified by Friday 20th December 2024 and they will be invited to an Awards Ceremony at Wokingham’s Town Hall on Friday 24th January 2025 at 7.30pm. The Town Mayor will present the winners with an award which will be engraved with their name. Photographs will be taken during the evening.
The people recommending successful candidates will also be invited to the ceremony and one person will be asked to give a citation to share why they have nominated the individual.
Please note: if no nominations are received or if it is decided that no nominees are eligible for a civic award then a ceremony will not be held.
A ceremony will only be held for two or more successful nominees. If there is only one successful nominee, their civic award will be presented and they will be invited to attend the following year’s ceremony.
Criteria for nominations
- Nominees for a Civic Award may be of any age but they should reside in the town of Wokingham, or their voluntary work should be for an individual or organisation based within the town
- Under 18s may be nominated for a Young Persons Award
- The voluntary work should have been carried out for a minimum of 3 years (unless there are exceptional circumstances), and not connected to their employment
- If under 18s are nominated, the judging panel may consider a reduced length of time for their contributions
- Whilst it is acceptable for more than one individual from the same organisation to be nominated for a Civic Award, any nominees should be individuals whose voluntary work is over and above other members within the organisation
- The voluntary work should be current and been carried out in recent years; it will not be possible to recognise historical achievements
- Couples may be nominated on one form (if successful, they will each receive an award)
- Wokingham Town Councillors, their employees and previous winners are not eligible (please check the list of recipients before submitting a nomination)
- A previous recipient of a civic award can be re-considered after a five-year period, provided their latest nomination is for a substantially different reason than for the original award
- Town Councillors should not nominate individuals; requests should be submitted by members of the community only
- Nominations will not be accepted from family members unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- The judges’ decisions are final
Submitting a nomination form
Before completing the form, please note the following:
- The information you provide will form the basis on which the nominee is judged so please provide as much information as possible about why the individual is being nominated, including examples
- We strongly recommend that you are very careful about sharing this information with any friends and family of the nominee to avoid any disappointment should the nomination be unsuccessful
- All nominations must be made using the online application form.
Please complete the Form Here
Please remember two people are required to make a nomination and each is required to complete this on-line form separately.
If it is not possible for you to complete a nomination in this way, please contact the Civic Officer on 0118 974 0882 to discuss. Or email – civic@wokingham-tc.gov.uk
The deadline for applications for the 2024-25 Civic Awards is Friday 29th November 2024. No applications will be accepted after this date.