Wrexham’s mayor says role was “greatest honour of his life” ahead of AGM

Wrexham’s mayor has described his time in the role as the “greatest honour of his life” ahead of standing down from the role.

Llay councillor Rob Walsh has served as Wrexham’s mayor for the last two years after the coronavirus pandemic saw his time in the position extended by 12 months.

This, Cllr Walsh says, was to act as a “stop gap to make sure the next mayor gets the mayoral year he deserves.”

This afternoon Wrexham Council will hold its first AGM in two years, which will see Caertrele councillor Ronnie Prince appointed as mayor for the next 12 months.

Whitegate councillor Brian Cameron will move to the position of deputy mayor.

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s meeting, Cllr Rob Walsh said: “My mayoral term has been a tale of two halves. I am especially proud of all the engagements I attended during the first year and all the people I have met.

“What I have enjoyed most of all is being myself and that means a lot to the many residents I have had the good fortune to meet.

“The second year has been difficult due to the restrictions, but I have been proud at how I have held on and adapted to the role in an ‘online way’.

“However, the real mayoral experience does involve meeting people and doing a second year was the only option, otherwise my successor would have missed out on so much.

“Due to the pandemic, it meant I was not allowed to wear the mayoral chains without being accompanied by a member of council staff. Now that I was expected to Chair council meetings from home, the tradition of wearing the chains for meetings had ground to a halt.

“To keep up the tradition I thought I would ask the pupils of Llay Park CP School (my ward) to make a replica chain out of paper. I thought this would be a good way of keeping tradition in the wake of meetings and some other engagements having to be conducted in a remote way.

“I am grateful to the pupils of Park CP for their amazing chain. It has allowed me to continue the mayoral identity. Hopefully, the next Mayor will be able to resume wearing the real chains in public very soon.

“Ronnie is an experienced councillor so the traits needed to be a successful Mayor he already has. My only tips would be: 1. Be yourself. 2. Go out of your way to speak to as many people as possible.

“Many people won`t approach the Mayor due to shyness, but by approaching them you can often make their day. 3. Watch what you eat. Many mayoral engagements involve food and many previous Mayors have fallen into the trap of gaining weight during their term of office.

“I would love to say that I didn’t fall into that trap, but I’m afraid to say I have probably been the worst for not avoiding food.”

He added: “Every event I have attended I have been met with such goodwill. I have learnt so much as well. Wrexham is full of unsung heroes who dedicate so much of their time (often voluntarily) to improving the lives of others.

“I am so glad I have had the opportunity to see Wrexham for what it truly is – a wonderful, kind, caring cluster of communities.”