Marlborough’s new mayor, Councillor Guy Loosmore, made up for the fact that a hiccup at his installation last week prevented him investing his mayoress and fiancée, Fiona Lawson, with her badge of office.
So he made up for it last night (Monday) at the first full meeting of the new Marlborough town council – and to the applause of his fellow councillors.
While the mayoress does not have an official or legal status, the national tradition and tradition for the town’s mayor to have a consort to help navigate through his or her busy year ahead.
Fiona will accompany Marlborough’s first citizen to official engagements, helping to host various community events, promote Marlborough, attend award ceremonies, visit local schools, as well as meeting British and foreign dignitaries to the town.
A priority for Fiona will be her work to help raise funds for the mayor’s two chosen charities — locally based Marlborough and District Dyslexia Association, and Hope for Tomorrow, which operates mobile chemotherapy units.
These operate entirely separate from the town council’s funds and money raised will be distributed to the charities at the end of the mayoral year.
Fiona, a historian, is already heavily involved in voluntary work in the local community particularly around the Kennet Valley Arts Trust, told Marlborough News Online: “It will be a busy year for Guy and I’m really looking forward to helping build up funds for these two worthwhile charities, which both bring such important advice and help to local people.”
And something else of more than equal importance to fit in among their official duties will be the Guy and Fiona’s wedding, set to take place in August.
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If you would like to invite the the mayor to an event, please contact the Civic Secretary at Marlborough Town Council, Town Council Offices, 5, High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1AA.
Tel: 01672 512487
E-mail: enquiries@marlboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk