This report is from the Mayor’s Office: The City’s annual Mayor Making Ceremony took place on Saturday 3 June at Bath Abbey, and Councillor Dine Romero was formally appointed taking on the historic role, and as the 796th Mayor of Bath.
The Avon Fire & Rescue Ceremonial Drill Squad made an impressive Guard of Honour on the Guildhall steps to welcome guests. The Bath Abbey Bell’s rang as the Civic Procession departed, lead by Mayor’s Officer, and Avon & Somerset Constabulary.
The City Sword-Bearer and Mace-Bearers preceded the retiring Mayor (Councillor Rob Appleyard) and retiring Deputy Mayor (Councillor Michelle O’Doherty), who were accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant, High Sheriff of Somerset, the Mayor Designate’s Chaplain, visiting Mayors, Charter Trustees, Honorary Aldermen and other VIP guests. Crowds of people lined the route and stopped to watch.
The new Mayor said: “I am honoured to have been elected by my peers, the Charter Trustees of Bath, to become Mayor of the City. My theme for the year is “The People of Bath, the Beating Heart of the City”. My theme celebrates the people who bring this historic place to life, and who make a real difference to the lives of those working, living in, and visiting this City. I am delighted that my daughter, Dr Isobel Romero-Shaw, will be Mayoress. We are both very much looking forward to this coming year. “
Councillor Dr Bharat Pankhania was appointed as Deputy Mayor. His wife, Alison, is Deputy Mayoress. He said, “It is a real honour to be elected as Deputy Mayor of the City of Bath, a very special City to me. I am looking forward to standing in for the Mayor, whenever she needs me to. I am very keen to help promote opportunities for all, and especially to empower students at our schools and colleges and inspire them to achieve their full potential.”
At the Annual General Meeting, the Mayor admitted Mr Andrew Brownsword CBE as an Honorary Freeman of the City of Bath in recognition of his outstanding national and international achievements as a philanthropist and for his charitable services. His first business was the greeting card success featuring the ‘Forever Friends’, which was featured on his presentation scroll.
Andrew said: “I feel truly privileged and very honoured to become an Honorary Freeman of the City I love. My family and I hope to be able to continue to support worthy causes and thank the people of Bath for this recognition.”
Musical performances were given by the Bath Strings Academy Quartet and members of the Zenith Youth Theatre Company.
Members of the Mayor’s Corps of Honorary Guides, Bath Abbey and St John Ambulance provided valuable services for the Ceremony, and a retiring collection was made for the Mayor of Bath’s Relief Fund, which helps people in need in the City of Bath suffering real hardships.
Further details about the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor can be found on the website:
www.mayorofbath.co.uk Follow on Twitter @MayorBath.
