Kendal has finally welcomed its new mayor after four months in the job.
Kendal Town Council hosted its annual Mayor Making ceremony at Kendal Town Hall on Thursday night and formally welcomed Doug Rathbone to the role.
The ceremony, which has its origins with the town’s first Alderman created by Elizabeth I in 1575, took place in the newly refurbished Assembly Room, attended by mayors and special guests from around the county, as well as family and well-wishers.
Councillors held their official annual meeting on Zoom at the beginning of May but felt it was important to hold the formal ceremony in the Town Hall, as soon as coronavirus restrictions allowed it.
Outgoing mayor Cllr Alvin Finch presented the Wainwright Award 2020 for exceptional service to the people of Kendal to young activist Jemima Longcake. A special award was given posthumously to Cllr Michele Miles, who died earlier the year, but whose work in her Kirkbarrow community was tireless and inspirational.
In his outgoing speech, Cllr Finch paid tribute to the work of his mayoral charities, Kendal People’s Café and #TAG Teenage Art Group. Each received a share of the £3,690 raised during his term of office. In normal times this would have ended in 2020, but an additional ‘virtual year’ was added due to the pandemic.
The ‘new’ mayor, donning the red robes of office during the ceremony was Cllr Doug Rathbone, who serves the town’s Heron Hill ward. His Mayoral Theme is ‘Kendal Together’ and his chosen charities are the Well Community, and Christians Against Poverty.
Cllr Rathbone continued in his predecessor’s less orthodox musical tradition, as the sounds of punk legends The Clash entertained the audience during the brief transfer of regalia.
“Being mayor of Kendal is about the town, its people, its continuity – and that is something I hope to be able to live up to as I continue my year,” said the mayor.
He also praised the town’s proud twinning relationship with Rinteln in Germany and Killarney in Ireland. A greeting from the people of Rinteln was read by Bill Barrington of the Kendal-Rinteln Twinning Association.
Cllr Julia Dunlop reaffirmed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office as the town’s deputy mayor before the assembly retired for a buffet supper in the Town Hall meeting rooms.
