The Mayor

Find out who the Mayor is, what they do, how to invite the Mayor to your event, and about the coat of arms.

Mayor of Rushmoor 2020 - 2021

Councillor Charles Choudhary was elected as the Mayor of Rushmoor at our Annual Council Meeting on 26 May.

First elected as a councillor in 1987, Councillor Charles Choudhary represents Rowhill Ward in Aldershot. He has previously served as Deputy Mayor in 1992/93 and as Rushmoor's Mayor in 2001/02.

Councillor Choudhary is also the immediate past Chairman of Hampshire County Council.  He represents Aldershot North for Hampshire County Council.

Our mayor has selected two charities to support during his mayoral year and will be fundraising for:

• Parity for Disability - which provides vital services to children and young adults with multiple disabilities
• Broadhurst Welcome Home Community Ltd - a local charity which exists to provide help and support to those with serious mental illness in Rushmoor

The Deputy Mayor 2020 - 2021

The Mayor is supported in his role by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bruce Thomas.

First elected in 2012, Councillor Bruce Thomas represents the Manor Park Ward in Aldershot. Councillor Thomas has been Chairman of the Development Management Committee from 2016/17 to 2019/20 and was previously Vice-Chairman from 2013/14 to 2015/16.

Mayoral invitations

The Mayor welcomes invitations to attend events held by local organisations. Please complete our Mayoral invitation form if you would like the Mayor to attend a function or event.

We will contact you about the Mayor's availability for your event within seven working days. Due to demand, the Mayor may not be able to accept all invitations.

Before inviting the Mayor to your event, please read the  Guidance notes for Mayor's visit [173kb].

The role of the Mayor

The Mayor is the first citizen and the Queen's representative in the Borough and, as such, takes precedence over all other citizens in the Borough. The only exception to this rule is when royalty or the Lord-Lieutenant are visiting the Borough.

The office of Mayor dates back as far as AD 451. The title is derived from the French, "Monsieur le Maire" and before that it probably originated from the Latin "Major".

Local authorities, which have been granted borough status by the Crown, have no more powers than ordinary district councils, but the chairmen and vice-chairmen of borough councils have the right to be styled 'Mayor' and 'Deputy Mayor'.

In the role as the civic head of the borough, the Mayor represents the borough at all civic ceremonial events.

• At major civic events, such as ceremonies relating to the granting of the Freedom of the Borough, the robe, chain and badge of office are worn and the Mayor is preceded by the Macebearer with the mace
• On other occasions, the Mayor will wear the chain and badge of office but, for most functions attended, the badge of office on a ribbon is worn.  It is the badge of office that is the symbol of the Mayor's authority

During the term of office, the Mayor will attend up to 300 engagements. These may include:

• Meeting royalty
• Visiting other local authorities
• Various events in partnership with the military
• Visiting schools
• Welcoming overseas visitors
• Opening fêtes
• Supporting charity events

The Mayor also chairs full meetings of the council in accordance with standing orders, and conducts the meeting in a fair and impartial manner.

The Mayor is formally appointed to the office of Mayor at the first meeting of the Council in the municipal year. This meeting is more of a ceremonial event and is normally referred to as 'Mayor-making'.

The Mayor cannot be a member of the Cabinet, although the Mayor may be a member of any of the Council's standing committees but only in the Mayor's capacity as an ordinary Member of the Council.

 Criteria for selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor [40kb]

The Borough's coat of arms

Arms

The coat of arms was granted by the College of Heralds, 7 August, 1975.

The crossed swords in the first section of arms depict the borough's close association with the army, and the key surmounted by an astral crown in the second section signify the connection with the Royal Aircraft Establishment. The rose in the third section is the Hampshire rose, the emblem of the county in which Rushmoor is situated.

Crest

The fern leaves and roses are similar to those in the crest of the former urban district of Farnborough.

Supporters

The lions used as supporters are similar to those in the coat of arms of the former borough of Aldershot, although the right hand lion now has wings to denote the borough's association with aviation. The right hand lion also has an astral crown around its neck, with a Latin cross hanging from it. The left hand lion has a mural crown with a gold star.

Motto

The motto 'strength in unity' was selected by the council from many suggestions submitted as signifying the amalgamation of the two towns of Aldershot and Farnborough.

Past Mayors