Date issued: 14 May 2019
Residents of the borough are invited to enjoy the annual Mayor Making ceremony, one of the highlights in Colchester’s civic calendar, on Wednesday 22 May 2019.
The traditional ceremony, at Colchester Town Hall, will see all councillors process in robes to the Moot Hall and formally vote for the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Nick Cope will be sworn in as Colchester’s 187th Mayor. His wife, Mrs Elizabeth Cope, will become Mayoress. The new Deputy Mayor will be Councillor Beverley Oxford and her husband, Councillor Gerard Oxford, becomes her Escort.
The ceremony will see the new Mayor declare his theme for the year and name six charities that will benefit from fundraising activities during his time in office.
The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Peter Chillingworth, will hand over the mayoral robes and chain of office to Councillor Nick Cope after speeches of thanks. Following formal acceptance, the newly elected Mayor will then offer the Deputy Mayor’s robes and ceremonial chains to Councillor Beverley Oxford.
Councillors will then adjourn to approve membership of this year’s committees and panels, hear nominations for chairmen and deputy chairmen, and discuss other items of business.
Councillor Nick Cope said: “Being nominated as Colchester’s Mayor is a great honour, a huge privilege and a wonderful opportunity to meet communities across the borough.
“I am tremendously excited to be this year’s Mayor and am very much looking forward to all of the good work we can achieve in the months to come.
“I will be delighted to share this time-honoured ceremony with people from all faiths and communities who would like to attend.”
The Town Watch will greet arriving guests including representatives from Colchester Garrison, the new Mayor’s nominated charities and other civic dignitaries.
For more information on the Mayor and civic events, visit www.colchester.gov.uk/mayor
Page last reviewed: 14 May 2019