Double history made as town’s youngest ever mayor is elected at Zoom meeting

History has been made twice over in Much Wenlock with the election of its youngest ever mayor at the town council’s first remote meeting.

New mayors usually take up the role in a ceremony at the Guildhall, but Daniel Thomas had to put the chain on himself at home before giving his acceptance speech via webcam, watched live by colleagues and members of the public through video conferencing technology.

Describing the occasion as “very weird”, Councillor Thomas said he was honoured to take up the role and braced for the task of leading the town through what is sure to be an immensely difficult 12 months.

He said: “I was made mayor elect in March’s town council meeting, so was ready to have a ceremony in the Guildhall and then have a reception with friends, family and Much Wenlock people who’ve made a contribution to the town in some way, but that was all cancelled before it got going.

“The ceremony has been pretty similar for 200 years, so it’s sad to have lost that tradition.”

At 28, Councillor Thomas is believed to be the youngest mayor in the town’s history. Elected to the town council two years ago at 26, he made it his mission to represent the interests of Much Wenlock’s young people. He now wants to encourage more people his age to consider running for town council.

He said: “I joined to help improve things for younger people, giving their point of view and working on projects to improve being a resident here for them.

“I also wanted to add some enthusiasm to an ageing population of councillors, with nearly all of them retired and the oldest being 85.

“I definitely didn’t have the mayorship in mind but has come as a result of hard work and recognition of that.”

Born and raised in Much Wenlock, Councillor Thomas works in HR for an office supplies company and lives with his wife Sara, who he said had been a huge support, along with his family.

Councillor Thomas said: “I’m blessed in having a very supportive group of family and friends who have been assisting with a lot of what I’ve done in my short time on Much Wenlock Town Council.

“My love of our community has come from both my parents and grandparents. It’s a shame my granddad can’t see this, but I’m pleased my nan can, and my family who have all helped me.

“It’s been my dad who has shouldered the heaviest burden, of course, building a brazier and cutting hedges – he should have paid more attention to what I pledged in my election leaflets!”

Aside from helping to steer the town through the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath, there are plenty of projects to keep Councillor Thomas busy through his year in post.

He said: “We’re just finishing a big project on the town park, called the Gaskell Recreation Ground, where we’ve added better drainage, a new access way enabling people to walk through William Brookes School and a pathway enabling disabled people to use it.

“Similarly, we bought the old Barclays bank building when they closed down in 2018, this meant that the cash machine stayed in town which was important for our local economy and is one of the busiest in Shropshire. We just need to find a suitable long term for the use rest of the building.”

Giving his acceptance speech, Councillor Thomas paid tribute to the spirit of the townspeople in rallying to help each other through the pandemic.
He said: “My fellow councillors have granted me the great privilege and responsibility of leading this historic Town Council for the next twelve months, and I express my sincere appreciation for you placing your trust in me.

“When I was voted Mayor-elect back in March, I didn’t imagine it would take place like this, without a physical meeting, but we live in unprecedented times.

“I have been heartened by the way Much Wenlock’s community has pulled together in this time of crisis, from traders changing their business models, to neighbours and friends coming together without fuss to look after each other.

“I know it is going to be difficult trying to balance my work, home life and town council commitments, but with the support from my colleagues, my family, and particularly my wife Sara, we will make it through the next 12 months with smiles on our faces and Much Wenlock continuing on its journey to build a better future for all concerned.

“It truly an honour to serve this wonderful community as the mayor of Much Wenlock Town Council and I look forward to the challenge.”