Meet the Mayor
The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare Councillor John Crockford-Hawley. Councillor Martin Williams acts as deputy.
The office of Mayor is steeped in tradition and ceremony. The insignia of the mace, robes, and chains of office, connects the present day with history and acts as a symbol of continuity. The modern visionary Mayor has a central role in representing the Council and the people, as the Town’s First Citizen. The Mayor can come from any class, gender or ethnic background. This diversity reflects the more open and democratic society we now live in.
Mayor’s Diary Events
The role is strictly non-political and representative of every section of the community. It is particularly focused on cultivating the positive image of the Town and enhancing the well-being of its citizens.
The many engagements are undertaken by the Mayor act as a link between the various groups and organisations in the town. The Mayor takes the Council’s message out into the community and works towards achieving the 5 pillars of the Town Council Strategy 2020-2030. Equally, the Mayor can share the views and concerns of the community with the Council. In line with the Town Motto, Weston-super-Mare Mayoralty is ‘Ever Forward’.
You can view the Mayor’s diary online and if you would like the Town Mayor to support, open or attend your event, please phone or email the Town Mayor’s Civic Officer rebecca.saunders@wsm-tc.gov.uk
Follow the Mayor’s Facebook page to keep up to date with his news and events.
Mayor Councillor John Crockford-Hawley
In 1976 John Crockford-Hawley was this District’s youngest councillor and Head of Geography at Wyvern School (now Hans Price Academy). Half a century later and blessed with excellent health and hearty energy, John remains hard at work pursuing the best interests of his home town; its people and prosperity, its distinctive heritage, and its challenging future.
As a councillor elected to both Weston Town Council (Mayor 1984-5) and North Somerset District Council (Chairman 2016-17), John is well known for his critical understanding of local history, arts and culture, planning, transport and urban regeneration.
Community engagement has always been crucial to him, and that means being actively involved in the organisations he supports. When appalling planning decisions were being made in the 1970s, John co-founded Weston Civic Society. As President of Axe District Scouts (by far the area’s largest youth organisation), he is encouraging new links between the young people of Weston and our twin town of Hildesheim in Germany.
Everyone in Weston supports the RNLI, and John has done his bit researching and writing the official history of Weston’s lifeboat service. As North Somerset’s Heritage Champion, Patron of Harmonia Sacra and a much sought after speaker at local events he continues to promote and support Weston’s diverse cultural offer.
As Mayor “JCH” is unlikely to have a restful year!
Please follow the Mayor’s Facebook page to find out more www.facebook.com/mayorofwestonsupermare.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Martin Williams
Councillor Martin Williams has been living in Weston since 1994, with his entire family residing close by.
With a decade of experience in Coast Guard rescue services as a volunteer rescue officer, Martin has been involved in rescues from cliffs, the sea, and Weston’s infamous mud.
As a young entrepreneur, Martin started his current business, Weston Support Services LTD, at the age of 17. Today, his company employs over 150 staff members. Additionally, he is the co-owner of Fruit Pick Smoothies, a fresh fruit smoothie wagon.
Martin is deeply committed to community service. He serves as vice chair school governor at Worlebury, chairman of Worle Junior Football Club, operations director at Weston Carnival, and trustee of Weston Lions Club.
Martin became a councillor in 2016 and served as deputy Mayor from 2018 to 2019. He re-joined the council in 2023. Passionate about the seafront, he enjoys walking it every morning, appreciating the ever-changing views.
Martin is eager to learn from the Mayor Councillor John Crockford-Hawley and looks forward to a fun-filled year as deputy mayor, highlighting some of the important groups in Weston he feels passionate about.