Mother of the Council becomes Borough Mayor

By Elaine Bird
19 May 2023
King’s Lynn
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Cllr Margaret Wilkinson has been elected as Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and as Chairman of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk for the coming year at the Mayor Marking ceremony on Thursday 18 May 2023.

Stuart prop

Proposing Margaret as Mayor Cllr Stuart Dark said: “Margaret moved to King’s Lynn with her husband Peter in 1967. In 1983 she was elected to the Fairstead Ward and she’s served the residents as their councillor for 40 years; as the longest serving councillor in the Borough, she’s the Mother of the Council.

“In 1990, whilst working full time and serving on the council, Margaret was approached to stand as a Justice of the Peace, a role which she continued for 20 years.

“Margaret has also been an active member of the Unite trade union for more than 30 years, receiving a special award for her long and valued contribution.

“Like a stick of rock, public service goes right through; she has been Deputy Mayor twice, she works so hard and this is the right time for this position.

“There is no-one more deserving to take over from Lesley and I have no hesitation in recommending her to this council.”

In spite of her busy life, Margaret still finds time for her favourite pastime of gardening.

The Mayor's chosen charities are the Pandora Project and Norfolk and Waveney Mind.

Cllr Paul Bland, elected as deputy Mayor, is a true Linnet having been born in King's Lynn and lived in west Norfolk his whole life.

After leaving school Paul gained an electrician apprenticeship with the Eastern Electricity Board and progressed to Chargehand, Foreman, Estimator, Sales Engineer, and eventually Business Development Engineer.

He married his wife Marion in 1970, moved to South Wootton, and had three children who attended local schools. Marion will be the Deputy Mayoress.

Paul was appointed as a Magistrate and served the community for 32 years. He was also the Chairman of the West Norfolk Bench.

Paul's other interests locally are President of the Sea Cadets, Director of Festival Too, Trustee of Trues Yard, Parish Councillor, Vice President of Norfolk's Magistrates Association, and a verifier for the Duke of Edinburgh's award.

Stuart Dark proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor Lesley Bambridge saying: “She embodies the best of King’s Lynn.

“It’s been a busy year for her with 305 engagements, she has worked hard and been a true ambassador for our area.”

The Mayor presented special badges to the Cadets for 2023-24.

Sea Cadets: Ordinary Cadet Jonathan Pick

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