Red robes passed on in Thatcham mayor-making ceremony

The mayoral chains have been passed on in Thatcham as a new councillor prepares to become the face of the town.

Outgoing mayor Jeff Brooks handed over the reins to his successor and former deputy mayor Mark Lillycrop at the town mayor-making event on Sunday (May 14).

The new mayor said he was delighted to have been selected to take on the role.

The father-of-two has lived in Thatcham for more than 30 years with his family and sits on Thatcham Town Council.

He announced the mayoress of the town will be his wife Jenny Lillycrop.

He said: “I’m still relatively new as a councillor and I’m hugely grateful to those more experienced members who have encouraged me to take on more responsibility over that time.

“As a councillor, I’ve been proud to be involved in a whole range of projects through our committees and working parties, providing accessible play equipment in our playgrounds, supporting the volunteer team at our much-loved library, reviewing planning applications and strategic plans, and working on the final stages of our flood alleviation scheme – which after 16 years’ work is now protecting the town against a repeat of the events of July 2007, when so many of us, including my family, found themselves washed out of their homes for a year.

“Each one of these activities has been extremely rewarding and so essential to the future prosperity and character of our town.”

He thanked all those who have supported him from councillors to council staff.

His mayoral charities are PALS (Partners for Active Leisure Scheme) which works with young people with physical disabilities, helping them gain confidence and self-esteem and Sport in Mind, a Berkshire organisation which aims to improve the lives of those with mental health struggles through sport.

He said: “Jenny and I have seen at first-hand how successfully they [PALS] have helped a young person we know, and I really look forward to supporting them this year.”

Speaking about Sport in Mind, he added: “I speak as someone who has discovered the advantages that physical activity can bring to those suffering with anxiety and depression.

“For me it was a chance opportunity to enter the Reading Half Marathon some ten years ago that helped me find a new focus at a very difficult time in my life.”

Deputy mayor went to a new councillor on Thatcham Town Council, Suzanne Adamantos.

She said: “When I discussed standing for council I said being mayor would be something I would be interested in in the future.

“He [Jeff Brooks] asked me if I would be interested in being deputy mayor this year and mayor next year and I didn’t think about it for very long actually.

“It is a very exciting new challenge.

“Jeff is my mentor; I have known him for a long time and I have got so much respect for what he has done for Thatcham and how hard he works.

“Everybody in the party is so lovely since I have started to campaign from the beginning. Everybody is so supportive and so lovely.”

The mother-of-two has lived in Thatcham with her family for 35 years after she and her husband moved there for work.

She said her experience working in senior management in social care at West Berkshire Council has allowed her to understand local government and prepared her for life as a councillor.

“All my life I have been in social care,” she said.

“I went to cooperate parenting meetings with councillors and officers dealing with issues relation to looked-after children.

“I am looking forward to doing my best for the people of Thatcham.”

Outgoing mayor, Mr Brooks, 179 engagements later, said he had a tremendous time attending events and meeting residents of the town during his time in the ceremonial role.

“It has been a privilege to be mayor,” he said.

“It has been a highlight of my life.

“I said I would do 150 engagements but we have smashed through that.

“They were all tremendous and all very enjoyable.”

Mr Brooks said he enjoyed events, big and small, from the Jubilee, proclamation of the King and Reading Pride to small business openings and shop anniversary celebrations.