Buckingham Town Council carried out its first online Mayoral election and robing ceremony on Monday 11th May 2020. Councillor Geraldine Collins was elected unanimously as the new Town Mayor, and formally robed by her husband Councillor Paddy Collins in their home during an online meeting which was watched over YouTube by residents and friends in Buckingham and overseas. Paddy Collins will be the Mayor’s consort for the year.
Councillor Collins is the first Mayor of Buckingham to have been elected and robed online.
During the meeting Councillor Howard Mordue – the longest serving Town Councillor – explained the history behind the Mayor’s chain, and the other regalia.
A video of the ceremony can be viewed from the Council’s YouTube channel.
Geraldine is keen to support local groups during these difficult times, and would welcome invitations to take part in events even if they are happening online!
Councillor Collins said:
“At this time of year, we usually have a variety of events in our town to look forward to 
and at these I would normally be able to meet many of you and your families. Sadly, many of these events have had to be cancelled. At these events we pass around our buckets to raise funds for the Mayor’s charities, I hope we can find some alternative ways to support our local groups and charities until such time as we can all get together again, which I look forward to very much.
I spent many years during my nursing career in children’s nursing and during this time became aware of the emotional difficulties many children and young people face alongside the physical illness. In the adult side I saw the same difficulties and saw the challenges faced in supporting and helping all concerned. This is why the charities I have chosen to raise funds for this year are:
- Clearly Speaking who are a great support to children, young people and their families, dealing with a variety of emotional needs; i.e. autistic spectrum disorders, learning difficulties anxiety disorders, depression, communication and mental health and the
- Kit Cat Club who also support children and their families through very difficult times.” Many of these problems have been exacerbated during this present crisis.
For more information about the Mayor and her chosen charities, visit the Mayor of Buckingham page.