Worthing welcomes new mayor

Mr Walker and his wife Rosemary were sworn in as mayor and mayoress on Friday at the annual mayor making ceremony at Worthing Town Hall.

Dressed in the official robes, Mr Walker told councillors, ex-members, honorary aldermen, MPs and guests it was a ‘privilege’ to be selected for the role.

He said: “I came to Worthing 15 years ago. I was told by someone that Worthing was God’s waiting room and that it would be slow for me and I wouldn’t settle.

“I love it here and always will. There is so much going on in Worthing.”

He added: “My vision is to continue to promote and serve this community, to encourage people to be caring and respect one another, to encourage good business and to continue to bring awareness in and outside of the borough that we are sunny Worthing by the sea, a forward-thinking, clean-living and caring community.”

The deputy mayor for the year, Michael Donin, also took his declaration of office, before youth mayor Jenny Hirst and deputy youth mayor Harry Williams gave short speeches and were presented with their chain and badges of office.

Mr Walker’s mayoral charities will be Faith Through Action, Go Youth Activities, One Challenge UK and Worthing Churches Homeless Projects.

At the ceremony, councillors placed on record their thanks to outgoing mayor Bob Smytherman and mayoress Norah Fisher, who was unable to attend the ceremony because of illness.

Mr Smytherman said: “Norah has been quite an outstanding and unique mayoress. You quite often hear mayors talking about their partners or consort but one thing you can say about Norah is, actually, there were three of us in this mayoralty, and it was quite outstanding.

“Being the third person to be greeted at events, after Herbie, her assistance dog, and Norah herself, was wonderful.”