Abingdon Mayor Making 2019

Abingdon Mayor Making
Councillor Margaret Crick  handed over the chain of office this evening to Councillor Charlie Birks, who became the new Mayor of Abingdon.  The previous deputy Mayor David Pope, who Margaret described as a tower of strength, failed to get re-elected when all the Conservatives lost their seats. So with 11 new councillors, the new town council had a dilemma who should be the next mayor. Charlie has lived in Abingdon since 1974 and seems very personable. So good luck to him.
Abingdon Mayor Making
The new Deputy Mayor is Abingdon’s first Green Party Councillor Cheryl Briggs.

The outgoing Mayor had a lot of praise for the Conservative Councillors who lost their seats. She thanked Mike Badcock for many years of work for the town, and his support for her in her year as Mayor. Another special mention was for Dennis Garrett after all the long hours he put in on the Guldhall project. All of them got mentioned by name.

Councillor Margaret Crick gave outgoing Mayors awards to:
* Penny Clover  for her contribution to life in the town including work on Abingdon Carousel and the Guild of Town Criers
* Helen Flynn for her work with the AbiBinit! initiative
* Sue Hammersley for many years of volunteer work including the opening of the Blue Sky Eco Cafe.

Margaret also gave cheques to her two charities: Abingdon Carousel, and Be Free Young Carers
Abingdon Mayor Making
Councillor Charlie Birks said the new Mayor’s charity is The Abingdon Bridge which supports young people in the town. Revd Charles Miller would be Mayor’s Chaplain. The civic service will be announced. He also announced that Fun and Music in the Park would be on Saturday 1st June, and there would be Abingdon-on-Thames pride celebrations on Saturday 22nd June.

Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers danced before the ceremony. Revd Paul Smith, the outgoing Mayor’s Chaplain, said the opening and closing prayers. Abingdon Town Band played music, including the National Anthem. Councillors then left the stage and people shook hands with the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor and were invited for a drink in the Roysse Room.

9 thoughts on “Abingdon Mayor Making 2019

  1. Deedee

    Indeed although I hope he takes on the mantle in full instead of just opening fetes and carrying out other ceremonial duties? Can he sort the towns overgrown roundabouts out ? ( especially the Tesco one) and the yellow line car parking? The weeds too?
    Good luck !

    Reply
  2. ppjs

    Isn’t the Mayor role primarily ceremonial? There is no executive power in the job (unlike the Mayoralties of London, or Birmingham and other major conurbations), is there?

    Reply
  3. ppjs

    Isn’t the Mayor’s role primarily ceremonial? There is no executive power in the job (unlike the Mayoralties of London, or Birmingham and other major conurbations), is there?

    Reply
  4. backstreeter

    The Mayor chair’s town council meetings, and represents the town at civic and town events. But nothing to stop a Mayor taking up issues. They have the ear of people who hold the real power.

    Reply
  5. Horsesmouth

    Indeed Backstreeter- I understand how political wards work – each has an elected councillor (or more) who are ment to represent us, which in most instances they do, but as I drive, cycle or walk around Abingdon I often come across “stuff” that needs attention and wonder who/how “stuff” gets reported or brought to attention?

    Reply
  6. Horsesmouth

    Yes Hester I’m always on it in fact I’ve suggested to Head if highways they instal a box junction on high st at its junction with west st Helen’s? But things like why spend shed loads of money repainting the yellow lines in town if no-one enforceses it, the white mini that parks on the pavement every and all night by the Old Thames water building in stert st? I seem to recal you objecting to that plan to convert the old office building into flats on the grounds of no parking? How right you were! There’s a new sign at the taxi rank proclaiming rank for 5 Taxis only, what about the other dozen parked all over the paving?

    Reply
  7. Roger Frankland

    With sadness I must inform you that my father Dr Noble Frankland D.F.C. C.B. will not participate in this year’s Remembrance Day Parade as he has done for many years.
    He died last Thursday 31st October aged 97 peacefully at home. The parade and the Rugby World Cup were two events he was greatly looking forward to.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.