Thatcham welcomes new Mayor Jeff Brooks
A new mayor was appointed at the Thatcham Mayor Making event this weekend after councillor John Boyd's second run.
Liberal Democrat councillor Jeff Brooks, former deputy mayor, received his civic chain on Sunday (April 8) with Councillor Lillycrop taking the deputy position.
Mr Brooks (Thatcham West) has been a local councillor for around 30 years; this is his first term as mayor.
The Lady Mayoress for the coming will be former Mayoress Mandy Cole, who stood alongside her husband councillor Mike Cole during his two civic years as mayor in 2019 – 2021.
Councillor Brooks thanked his wife Andrea for her “wonderful support” and for “tolerating the many, many evenings” of late town council meetings that he attends.
Read more: Thatcham News
“She does not seek the limelight hence her not being my Lady Mayoress but she is a marvellous support,” he said.
He invited Mark Bennet to be his Chaplain for the year and nominated his two chosen charities.
Mr Brooks chose and grassroots football club Thatcham Tornadoes and charity Daisy’s Dream, an organisation which helps children and families who have been affected by life threatening illnesses or bereavement.
He told guests: “I am particularly keen to have the charities take a proactive part in my Mayoral year.
“I hope they can be at the town council’s major events, for instance, and I know they are already booked into some of them.”
Speaking about the year ahead, Mr Brooks said: “I am looking forward to it, the legacy project is an important thing to me for my first year.”
“It is a focal point for me, I hope to unveil it when I step down as mayor.”
Out of the 45 scenes to be depicted on the royal tapestry, 25 have been allocated and Mr Brooks is calling for more to come forward with their art.
He added: “It is nice to be a mayor in the jubilee year, I am looking forward to the jubilee events.”
Joining him in his mayoral duties is newly appointed deputy mayor Mark Lillycrop, who is in his first term, of three years, as a town councillor.
The Thatcham resident of 35 years will be assisting Mr Brooks and attending community events.
Mr Lillycrop said: “I was really proud to take up the deputy mayor role. This was my first term so I was really pleased and proud to be put forward as deputy mayor.
He said the jubilee year will be a great year to be a deputy mayor with lots going on in the town.
“It’s a special event for everyone, something that people will remember,” he said. “There is a lot going on in the town, not just the packed weekend of events but some other things going on in the background.”
Unlike the mayor who is now semi-retired, Mr Lillycrop is still working and believes that he’d, one day, enjoy wearing the civic chain too.
Former mayor John Boyd wished his colleagues well in their civic year and advised them to “make the most of it” and attend as many events as they could get to.
He said: “It is a fantastic opportunity getting around and seeing events that you would not have otherwise seen.
“My year was my second term of office but I can say, hand on heart, I have felt more engaged in this one. I felt more excited about going to the events and seeing how the community responded coming out of covid.”
He added: “It has not been lost on me I have been honoured being mayor of Thatcham for second time.”
More Platinum Jubilee event information, as well as legacy project details, can be found on the town councils website.
