Cllr Margaret Parker was appointed Lord Mayor of Chester in May
” I’ve been a Councillor for 28 years and a Parish councillor for 31 years. It’s been an ambition to be Mayor, its taken a long time and I’ve probably been asked to do it on numerous occasions but I was an active Councillor for Chester City Council for many years and subsequently for Cheshire West and Chester Council, I’ve left it until now. Now is the time. ”
She says that being Lord Mayor is all about representing and supporting the city. The Office of Lord Mayor is about the people and organisations we represent; it’s not about me. “ I would say that I am the First Citizen and I think people look to me to represent them. We need to promote the city and its history more, we have a fantastic city and Cathedral, and its very important to promote businesses too. I am excited to attend as many events as people want me to. Its a busy time when you become Lord Mayor and you give a lot of time to it, because the Lord Mayor needs to be seen as do the rest of the Civic Team. We work together very well as a team with the Sheriff and the Deputy, along with my daughter Deborah who is my Lady Mayoress . Any events I can’t do, its handed to the Sheriff or the Deputy Lord Mayor. “
So far she has attended flag raising events and supported Carer’s week. “One event that I really enjoyed was an invite to a surprise birthday party in Malpas for a gentleman who was 100 years old. Albert Parker, he was absolutely delighted. He walks between 2 and 3 miles a day, he’s very agile. We went off in the heat and he was brilliant. He’s a veteran as well. My first engagement after the Mayor making on the Friday evening, I had to be in Town Hall square for about half past 7 to see some veterans set off an annual walk from here to Wrexham, this walk was for Woody’s Lodge. That evening there was a choral performance in the Cathedral and I went to that- music is part of my theme for the year. I love any sort of music and I think it plays an important role in people’s lives and their mental health. I like classical music and opera. Music helps a lot of people suffering from dementia or loneliness and its good for children as well. “
She also visited the Mosque in Blacon recently. “It was a lovely afternoon, they called it their fun day. I talked to some of the ladies and children and they have asked me to go back and speak again. I was made to feel very welcome. I had a headscarf and I knew that I had to remove my shoes. I did ask when I entered the Mosque and I was told I didn’t have to wear it. ” She sits on a task group for community cohesion. “That is about working across all religious groups and nationalities, which I think is important. Civic Heads are open and accessible to all of Chester’s diverse communities and I look forward to meeting many of them during my civic year. ”
Does the Lord Mayor role offer value for money I ask ? “Yes. I it does. I know people pay a precept. I’m sure some people don’t think it is , but they might be people who have not really looked into what the Lord Mayor does. The Office of Lord Mayor is about promoting Chester as a place to visit to visit and invest in. The role also gives me the privilege and opportunity of meeting many of Chester’s unsung heroes – the individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to support our city and its residents. Being able to visit them, recognise their contributions and personally thank them for everything they do is one of the most rewarding aspects of the role .”We should all be really proud that we live in Chester. “ She is especially proud of the historic Town Hall which opened in 1869. “It’s been under used for a long time and its now coming on target. We have an event this week where people are here for 3 days and they are using the majority of the rooms. There’s a lot of nice features here and it was always a shame when it was closed to the public, because not only do we want the people of Chester to come here but we want visitors. We have a jewel in the crown here.”
Margaret’s charities for the year are Kidsbank, Tomorrows Women and Paw Angels. “Tomorrow’s Women work with women that have been domestically abused and that features very much within my theme and I think domestic abuse has been swept under the carpet for too long, by a lot of people and even some authorities. I have a family member who has been a victim and its not nice. Paw Angels are an animal charity, Lisa and her team rescue animals not only from here, but from war torn countries. I am also proud to support KidsBank Chester, which is one of my chosen charities this year. It is an incredibly important resource for our city, who work tirelessly to support children and families who are facing hardship. The charity make a real difference to many of our residents, and I am looking forward to helping raise awareness and money for them.”.”
Preventing domestic abuse will be a key focus throughout Margaret’s civic year. Under her theme of Harmony in Every Home and Every Community, she will lead a programme of awareness and engagement activities designed to promote respect, challenge abusive behaviour and support those affected. This will include supporting a Respect campaign, meeting with young people and youth organisations to encourage healthy relationships, visiting survivors and local refuge services, hosting domestic abuse awareness sessions at Chester Town Hall and attending open access support groups. Margaret will also support the launch of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new Domestic Abuse Strategy. “As Lord Mayor, I want to champion a city where domestic abuse has no place,” she said. “A truly harmonious community is one where people feel safe, respected and free from fear in their own homes. Through partnership, education and compassion, we can help prevent abuse, support survivors and ensure that those who cause harm are held to account.
Of the year ahead she says : “I look forward to every event that people want me to go to , because they’re all different and you have to give different things. I am looking forward to the Town Crier Tournament in September, David Mitchell has been a good friend of mine for many years. He’s been Town Crier for 30 years plus. David and Julie were puppy walkers for the blind and I was walking behind them in Hoole. This little puppy was so gorgeous and I said “oh aren’t you beautiful!” and he said “me or the dog!” I needed a master of ceremonies for Stuart and I’s silver wedding event and I got in touch with David. He then did a proclamation on my daughter’s horse when she got married. He’s great! My daughter is my Lady Mayoress this year and she is immensely proud, and my grandson is so proud of his Nannie and his mum! “
She says that Chester has a lot to be positive about. “We have a fantastic Town Hall, Cathedral, a lovely river which I feel we could do more with, I’d like to see it become a bit like Henley on Thames. Of course we have Storyhouse, I’m so proud that we have it because my late husband was instrumental in bringing it to Chester. The Market is absolutely fantastic. We have Picturehouse and I have done a couple of events there already and I’m really impressed. We have all these businesses and eating places. We have a lovely Park, with the Theatre in the Park starting soon.” She says that the city’s attractions would benefit from greater promotion.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have attractions such as Chester Zoo, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Grosvenor Museum, Storyhouse and Chester Market in Chester. They showcase the very best of our city, bringing residents, communities and visitors together while supporting local businesses and our economy. As Lord Mayor, I want to do all I can to promote these wonderful attractions and encourage more people to discover everything Chester has to offer.”
“The River could be promoted more. My role also includes being Admiral of the Dee and before Midsummer watch parade, I attended an event for national drowning prevention week with the Fire Service. This event is incredibly important because it helps highlight the importance of water safety, especially with the warmer weather upon us and schools breaking up for the summer. We want people to enjoy everything our waterways have to offer, but to do so safely and responsibly.” Midsummer Watch was unbelievable and it was fantastic to see the city of full of people! I will be at Chester’s Raft Race (which is the oldest in the country) and I presented the prizes at the Regatta in June. I’ve been out on the River Dee patrol boat with the team to make sure people are using the river in the right way. I think Russell does a fantastic job. “
Being Lord Mayor is a big commitment but a true honour. “Lord Mayor’s can attend around 350 engagements per year, plus raise money for their chosen charities. As Lord Mayor it’s very rare to get a day off, because I have to do my Councillor work and I’m also on the Fire Authority and I sit on the adoption panel for Cheshire West. Its worth it and it’s great to meet so many people from all walks of life. People see the chain and they will say hello or good morning. Or they will come and ask for a photograph, its brilliant!” I am looking forward to working with ShitChester during my civic year: I think the concept is a great ambassador for our city.
“I am very proud and privileged to be given the opportunity to be Lord Mayor. “
