West Norfolk’s longest serving councillor appointed alderman and says she feels 'wonderful'

Margaret Wilkinson recognised for her 'lifetime of service' at a ceremony.

"I feel a tremendous sense of achievement today.  I feel wonderful!" Margaret Wilkinson says, who'd been the longest-serving councillor in West Norfolk before her recent retirement.

Formerly a Mayor herself, she received her alderman’s badge from the borough’s current Mayor, Cllr Andy Bullen.

“It’s fantastic to see Margaret recognised in this way. She is a truly wonderful representative for West Norfolk and it’s an honour for me personally to be the one to officiate at her ceremony,” Cllr Bullen says.  Adding, “Aldermen have a special place in our civic life and only those who have given a long and significant service to the Borough are appointed." 

Originally from London, Margaret has lived in King’s Lynn for nearly 60 years.  She moved to Fairstead and worked in the local doctor’s surgery before becoming a councillor, and served for 42 years representing the people of Gaywood South and Fairstead.

Margaret says, “To become a councillor you have to be elected – that means people have put their faith in you to do the best you can for them. This has always meant a great deal to me and I considered it an honour to serve the community as a councillor.  To be appointed as an alderman is also an honour but a different kind as you have to be put forward by other councillors. It makes me feel very special because it shows they think that I did it – that I succeeded in serving the community."

Her appointment as an alderman puts her among a select group of people in West Norfolk, all of whom have dedicated themselves to the public good.

All images The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk