The Lord Mayor and Sheriff
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury is the first citizen and elected representative of the city, acting as a focal point for the community as well as promoting the city.
The position of first citizen of Canterbury existed 350 years before the Norman Conquest and pre-dates the Kingship of a united England, the oldest of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges and Parliament itself.
The role of the Lord Mayor includes:
- Representing the city at events in the district
- Supporting all aspects of the local community including education, business charities and community groups
- Attending religious events of all denominations
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury is always a serving councillor, is in office for one year and is elected by council at the Annual General Meeting in May.
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury for 2010/11 is Councillor Pat Todd and his wife, Mrs Barbara Todd is Lady Mayoress. Her charities for the year are:
- The Royal National Lifeboat Institution
- Strode Park at Herne Bay
- Help for Heroes
You can invite the Lord Mayor to an event by following this link
The Sheriff of Canterbury
Canterbury has had a Sheriff since King Edward IV's charter in 146. The Sheriff was a County Official who collected tax, undertook some police functions, had powers of arrest and presided over public executions. Richard Carpenter was the first Sheriff of Canterbury.
Following local government reorganisation in 1974 a number of Sheriffs' posts were abolished. However in Canterbury the office remains and the postholder represents the City at functions and undertakes other civic duties. The Sheriff is elected by council at the Annual General Meeting in May.
The Sheriff of Canterbury for 2010/11 is Councillor Sally Pickersgill and her escort is her partner Mr Robert Waters
Useful Links
Use the links below to view more information
