By Angela Underhill
Mayor of Walsall Council
As this is my first column I need to introduce myself, I am Angela Underhill, Mayor of Walsall Council. My column will give you an insight into the work of a Mayor and how I became Mayor. Also, some thoughts on the important issues of the day in the Walsall area.
Firstly I became Mayor in May 2015, because I was the longest serving Councillor on Walsall Council who had not been a Mayor previously. I am the 638th Mayor of Walsall, only the 12th lady Mayor. There has been a Mayor of Walsall since 1377, it is a great historical tradition and one of which I am proud to be a part. As Mayor I am the town’s first citizen and the Queens representative, a bit scary. My husband John is my consort, as he is retired, he accompanies me everywhere which we really enjoy.
I represent Walsall when I am invited to other cities and towns; it is an honour of which I am very proud. Every day I work in the Mayors Parlour in Walsall Council House which dates back to 1905 and my offices are original to the building, they are beautiful and I really enjoy the time I spend there. We invite a lot of different people into the Parlour from schoolchildren to other Mayors, youth clubs to football clubs, residents groups to charities, choirs to French ambassadors. Each and every day is unusual in its own way, we are often out from 9am until 9pm.
Throughout November we went to many remembrance services and events, many people of different religions and backgrounds fought in the British Army; Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Hindu. We have felt honoured to be involved in celebrating the lives of those people who fought together in the two world wars. Just a taster of the things we do every month!
