A NEW mayor of Wokingham Borough was elected at a council meeting on May 18.

Councillor Rob Stanton stepped into the ceremonial role, making him the 'first citizen' of the borough.

Unless The Queen or her representative, such as the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, is also in attendance, the mayor officially takes precedence over any other dignitaries attending events.

In the time honoured tradition of the new mayor choosing good causes to benefit from fundraising during their year in office, Cllr Stanton has chosen to support the Royal Berkshire Hospital Cancer Care Unit and Dingle Promise - a charity that provides support for under fives with additional needs.

Cllr Stanton said: “It’s an honour to be appointed Mayor of Wokingham Borough which I moved to in 1990 and was fortunate enough to bring my two boys up in. To be considered the first citizen is an amazing privilege and I will do my best to honour that status.

“I have decided to support two good causes in my year in office. The first is to support the Royal Berkshire Hospital Cancer Care Unit, who treated me for cancer and many Wokingham Borough residents. We all know how hard it is for the NHS to have enough funding and I want to use this year for us to show our support for the excellent work they do.

Bracknell News:

Rob Stanton with his consort Maureen Stanton and Deputy Mayor Cllr John Kaiser with his consort Gillian Kaiser.

"I also intend to set up a voluntary cancer champion group to support patients when they leave hospital in the period following their discharge, which is such a tough period for both the patient and indeed the families.

“The second charity I have chosen to support is Dingle Promise that supports children with special educational needs and aims to give them the best possible start in life.”

Cllr Stanton was born in London and grew up in Chiswick before moving to York, Brighton and Wrexham and North Wales, where he met Maureen who he married in 1975.

After retiring as a retailer with WHSmith after 38 years, Cllr Stanton was elected to serve the ward of Finchampstead North, where he now lives.

In his spare time, Cllr Stanton enjoys gardening, travelling at home and abroad, and supporting Chelsea.

Ward councillor for Barkham Cllr John Kaiser will serve as Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Peter Lucey was elected Town Mayor of Wokingham last week.