New Winchester mayor appointed in special ceremony

Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith took over the position from retiring mayor Cllr Angela Clear at Winchester City Council’s Mayor Making and Annual Council on Wednesday, May 15 at the Guildhall.

He is the fifth Liberal Democrat councillor in a row to ascend to the position.

In his first speech as mayor, he thanked the outgoing mayor, saying that it is “daunting” to be the latest in a long line of mayors.

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He said: “Public speaking is clearly a part of the mayoral role, but I think there is another, related part which is what you might call ‘public listening’.

Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith giving his first speech as Mayor of Winchester (Image: Chris Atkinson)

“The mayor has many opportunities to listen to others and I think it is immensely valuable to understand people’s concerns, their problems and their ideas. And I think I also found as a deputy mayor; you very often connect disparate groups that sometimes don’t know of each other’s existence. And I also feel that in the hubbub of daily life there are a lot of voices that go unheard. And I hope that I can listen to the voices which are silent, silenced or ignored.

“At that point, I will conclude my speech and start listening.”

Cllr Gordon-Smith also revealed the four organisations that he would be supporting as his mayor’s charities – St John’s Dementia Support, Winchester Sea Cadets, Hampshire History Trust, and Winchester Radio.

Previous mayor Cllr Clear also gave a speech, thanking those who had helped her during her second time in office.

She said: “As I stand before you, my heart is filled with both gratitude and melancholy. For the second time I have served as mayor for Winchester and district and this past year – or rather, the past 18 months – has been fantastic.

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“I once again embarked on a journey of civic duty and engagements, and being mayor for the second time allowed me to step into this role with greater ease and a bit more confidence.

“It has been an incredible journey and as I move on to the next chapter of my professional life I will hold such wonderful memories of those moments and of those people who have made me laugh and have made me cry.”

Before the meeting was declared closed, the mayor called for nominations for the new deputy mayor, with Cllr Sudhakar Achwal elected to the position.

The event ended with a reception in the Guildhall.