TWO of our city’s longest-serving councillors have been inaugurated as Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor in a ceremony at the city’s historic Guildhall.
Hundreds of guests were present to see Cllr John Newbury elected as Swansea’s First Citizen alongside Cllr David Hopkins, who was inaugurated as Deputy Lord Mayor during the ceremony.
The Lord Mayor has an important civic and ceremonial role to play in the life of the city. The Lord Mayor is the official Ambassador for the city. The year in office is varied and includes receiving visiting dignitaries and presiding at civic functions as well as representing Swansea at events outside the city.
Cllr Newbury, who has been councillor for 24 years and currently represents the Dunvant ward, said he was delighted to be elected.
He said: “I was born and brought up in this amazing city, so I know of no greater honour than this. It’s going to be a really exciting year. There is always so much going on in Swansea and I’ll be proud to support as many local events and causes as I can.”
Cllr Newbury’s wife, Eileen, passed away just 10 days after he became Deputy Lord Mayor and so his daughter Bernardine, a city solicitor, has stepped into the role of Lady Mayoress.
They have decidedĀ the charities to benefit from the Lord Mayor’s Charity fundraising efforts this year will be Maggie’s Centre, Swansea, Forget Me Not Dementia Day Clubs and Ty Hafan.
The Lord Mayor will be supported by Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr David Hopkins, who comes from a very strong political family. His mother Lilian represented Cockett ward for more than 30 years and was herself Lord Mayor in 1986.
Cllr Hopkins is a well-known trade unionist in Swansea and is married to Cllr Beverley Hopkins, a ward member for Landore. She will be Deputy Lady Mayoress this year alongside him.
Cllr Hopkins was elected ward member for Townhill, Mayhill and Gors in 1991. He said: “I am looking forward to supporting Cllr Newbury in his duties and taking on the role as an ambassador for the city.”
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