A military parade through Stafford Town Centre will welcome the new Mayor of the borough next month.

Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets as the servicemen and women, along with local organisations, celebrate the inauguration of Councillor Mark Winnington, as Mayor of Stafford Borough.

Councillor Winnington will take the chains of office following a ceremony at the Gatehouse Theatre on Saturday (16 May). He will take over the role from current Mayor, Councillor Jenny Barron. The annual meeting of the council - which is more commonly known as ‘Mayor Making’ - will be followed by a church service and then the military march through the town at around 12.45pm.

Councillor Winnington said it was an ‘honour’ to have been chosen as the borough’s ‘first citizen’ – a role that dates back more than 400 years. His wife, Rosie, will become Mayoress.

He will be raising funds during his Civic year for Katharine House Hospice and Staffordshire Air Ambulance.   

Councillor Winnington was first elected to the borough council in 2003 and currently represents the Gnosall and Woodseaves Ward on the local authority. He has also served as a Staffordshire County Councillor and is a member of Ranton Parish Council.

He said: “This is a great honour and I thank everyone for putting their faith in me. I am looking forward to representing the borough and promoting it as a great place to live and work.

“I was born here, I went to school here, and I live and work here – and that makes me so proud to now be the ‘first citizen’ of an area I really cherish. It will be an incredible 12 months in office and I hope to raise the profile of this borough while raising money for my chosen charities.”

Councillor Frank James was chosen as the Deputy Mayor. He represents the borough ward of Holmcroft and previously served as Mayor in 2024/25.

Press Release No 6293