From the office of the Mayor of Bath:
The City’s annual Mayor Making Ceremony took place on Saturday 6 June at Bath Abbey.
Councillor Ruth Malloy was formally appointed, taking on the historic role as The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath.
The Avon Fire & Rescue Ceremonial Drill Squad made an impressive Guard of Honour on the Guildhall steps, the Abbey Bells rang out, and the 93 (City of Bath) Squadron RAF Air Cadet Marching Band escorted the Civic Procession to Bath Abbey.
The Mayor’s Officer, Police Stave-Bearers, Police Inspector at Avon & Somerset Constabulary, City Sword-Bearer and Mace-Bearers led the retiring Deputy Mayor (Councillor Ian Halsall), Deputy Lieutenant Thomas Sheppard DL, High Sheriff Peter Dixon, visiting Mayors, Charter Trustees, Honorary Aldermen and other VIP guests. Large crowds of people stopped and lined the route to watch. Around 300 people witnessed the Ceremony as it took place in the Abbey.
In her inaugural speech, the new Mayor started by saying: “Thank you to the people of Weston for choosing me to represent you on Bath and North East Somerset Council in 2019, and again in 2023: I wouldn’t be here without you. I also want to acknowledge all the good work my predecessors have done in this role, and here I’m thinking especially of my father, John Malloy, who represented Weston for twelve years, was Mayor of Bath from 1988 to 89, and later an Honorary Alderman. His interest in local, as well as national and international affairs, and his political engagement definitely influenced me to follow in his footsteps. I thank my daughter Lydia, for being Mayoress for the year ahead.
I first came to Bath as a young child and have lived here longer than I have lived anywhere else. However, in earlier years I lived abroad for extended periods, including in Malta, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Germany. As the Council’s Twinning Advocate, and representative in the Great Spa Towns of Europe Association, I therefore take a special interest in all of our international links.”
The Mayoral theme: “My aim is for it to be as all-encompassing as possible, so … Let’s celebrate – community, culture and curiosity!
Let’s celebrate – because there’s so much to worry about in our world, in far-away countries but also nearer to home, and yet there are so many good things going on, with people doing their very best to look after each other and the places we live in. I want us to focus on the positive – not ignore what still needs to be improved, but celebrate what is going well.
Community – or perhaps that should be communities, because in fact we typically belong to several distinct, yet inter-related communities, starting with our direct family and expanding ever outwards. Let’s celebrate all our diverse communities and multiple connections, in Bath and beyond!
Culture – let’s celebrate culture … in the broadest possible sense. Culture is for everybody and I welcome any actions that make it more accessible. I love libraries and museums, and I encourage everyone to make the most of them. They’re a portal to different periods of history, other people’s experiences, and spark our curiosity!
Curiosity – learning, lifelong learning! There’s so much to be curious about – our environment, how things work, each other, what makes us tick! We’re so lucky to have not one, but two world-class universities: the University of Bath, celebrating its sixtieth anniversary this year, and Bath Spa University. Plus we have the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute, Bath College, Norland College, and so many great schools.
Back to libraries and books for a moment – did you know that 2026 is the National Year of Reading? Let’s celebrate language – languages and literacy in all their forms, but especially books!
A final thought to leave you with: what is at the core of Community, Culture and Curiosity? It’s us, the people! Let’s celebrate together in our wonderful, double-inscribed World Heritage City of Bath!
It will be my privilege and pleasure to represent the City of Bath this coming year.”
Councillor Onkar Saini was appointed as Deputy Mayor. He said, To every resident who believed in me, who supported me , thank you. You are the reason I am standing here today. Without you, I simply would not be here. I will never forget that. And to my wife Priya: thank you for your patience, your love, and your support through every step of this journey.
I am genuinely thrilled to take on this role. It is a privilege to serve this great city of Bath, and I come to it with real energy and commitment. I want to contribute meaningfully to Bath’s civic life to help make this city an even more welcoming, vibrant, and opportunity-rich place for everyone who lives here.
I am fully committed to supporting our Mayor and her vision for Bath. The themes she has set out are ones I believe in deeply, and I look forward to playing my part in delivering them for our communities across the city.
I grew up in Kurukshetra. A heritage city in the state of Haryana, India. This is no ordinary place. Kurukshetra is the land of the Bhagavad Gita. It is where the great Mahabharata unfolded thousands of years ago. A city steeped in history, in wisdom, and in the values of duty and service. And today, from that ancient city, I stand here, in the historic city of Bath, ready to serve and give back to this great city.
When I think about that journey, I cannot help but smile. It fills me with pure joy. It reminds me that this city, and this country, truly is a place where anyone, from anywhere, can contribute, can serve, and can belong.
I am proud of where I come from. And I am proud to call Bath my home.”
The Mayor has chosen Reverend Lorraine Shorten, from Weston Moravian Church as her honorary ‘Mayor’s Chaplain’ for her term in Office.
The City of Bath Brass Band provided joyous music whilst guests arrived, during the exchange of robes and regalia, and for the outgoing Civic Procession.
Members of the Mayor’s Corps of Honorary Guides, Bath Abbey staff 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 Mayoralty can be found at www.mayorofbath.co.uk.