Newhaven Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor
Newhaven Town Mayor & Deputy Town Mayor 2025-2026
The current Mayor of Newhaven is Councillor Kim Bishop who was elected at the Full Council Meeting on the 13th May 2025 and her Deputy is Councillor Mark Wardle.
Introduction – and brief history of the office of Mayor
The words “Mayor” and “Major” derive from the same Latin word “Magnus”, meaning great. The office of Mayor, together with the Domesday Book and the feudal system, were brought to this country by the Normans. The office had existed on the continent since at least the 5th Century. The first English Mayor was the Mayor of London, appointed in 1189 by Richard I.
The exact role of the Mayor in earlier centuries varied considerably from one town to another, but he would normally be a “Custodian of the Peace” (Magistrate) in addition to his role as first citizen of the town, and by the seventeenth century the Mayors of many boroughs had become all-powerful, combining the role of chairman of the governing body of the town with other roles such as Borough Coroner, Keeper of the Gaol or Admiral of the Port. Not all Mayors were called “Mayor” – other titles for the heads of corporations included High Bailiff, Warden or Portreeve.
In Newhaven, the Chairman of the Urban District Council, which came into being as a result of the Local Government Act 1894, was not called “Mayor”, although he did wear a badge and chain. When local government was re-organised in 1974, one of the first decisions made by the newly constituted Newhaven Parish Council was to pass a resolution that the Parish should have the status of a Town. Under Section 245(6) of the Local Government Act 1972 this resolution meant that the Council would then be known as “Newhaven Town Council” and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman as “Town Mayor” and “Deputy Town Mayor” respectively.
Apart from the chairing of Council meetings, the present day role of the Mayor is largely ceremonial and symbolic and provides a link between the present day and the traditions of history. The Mayor is the representative of the Town Council, the town of Newhaven and its people and is often seen as the “First Citizen” of the town. As Newhaven is part of Lewes District, however, the Chairman of the District Council technically takes precedence over the Town Mayor of Newhaven throughout the whole District.
Badge and chain
The Mayoral badge and chain was commissioned by the Town Council during its first year of administration in 1974 from Thomas Fattorini Ltd. The mayoral chain can only be worn at mayoral engagements within the town’s boundaries. It must not be worn when entering a neighbouring authority unless permission granted by the mayor of that authority.
Mayor’s Charity
A Mayor can choose to support a particular charity which provides local benefit during their tenure, although it is not obligatory to do so. More than one charity may be chosen and the Mayor will decide how the proceeds are shared at the end of the year.
This year, the Mayor has chosen to support:
Mayoral attendance to your event
The Mayoral Diary is held by the Officers at Newhaven Town Council. Anyone inside or outside the Newhaven can invite the Mayor to an event and invitations are generally accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. However, preference is given to events taking place in the Town. Please ensure your invitation is made as early as possible to ensure the Mayor is available. The Mayor helps to raise the profile of local groups, charities and voluntary organisations, as well as local businesses. If the Mayor is unable to attend, the Deputy Mayor will be asked to go as the Mayor’s representative.
Please fill out the Mayor’s Engagement form and email it to admin@newhaventowncouncil.gov.uk.
Previous Newhaven Town Mayors
The names of our previous Mayors are as follows:
1974 C A M Campbell
1975 P Friend
1976 E J Walmsley
1977 C F W Dickins
1978 D Ingram
1979 Col P G H Harwood
1980 B J Rugg
1981 B J Rugg
1982 G J Lewitt
1983 J E R Kennedy
1984 J E R Kennedy
1985 C S Temple
1986 M J Harman
1987 M J Harman
1988 Dr A Bradbury
1989 Dr A Bradbury
1990 Col P G H Harwood
1991 J E Lewry
1992 J E Lewry
1993 T P A Ost
1994 V B Morgan
1995 V B Morgan
1996 C A Borowski
1997 C A Borowski
1998 D J Tait
1999 L P Austin
2000 D J Fitton
2001 D J Fitton
2002 D G Forsdike
2003 D G Forsdike
2004 J E Lewry
2005 R D Robertson
2006 R M Main
2007 J L Carr
2008 G R Amy
2009 C J Butler
2010 G R Amy
2011 S Saunders
2012 G R Amy
2013 J L Carr
2014 J Ost
2015 S Saunders
2016 S Saunders
2017 J M Dyer
2018 P F Boswell
2019 G R Amy
2020 G R Amy
2021 L A Boniface
2022 P F Boswell
2023 J L Carr
2024 H P McLean-Knight