Bridgwater’s new Mayor, Cllr Kathy Pearce (Westover, Labour) , was unanimously voted in by councillors at Bridgwater Town Council’s Annual meeting on Thursday 15th May. Taking over the mayoral chain from Cllr Jacqui Solomon (Eastover, Labour) , she will hold the title for one year. Mayor of Bridgwater is an unpaid role and apart from being the first citizen of Bridgwater, and chairing Town Council meetings, her duties will include acting as ambassador for the town. “I’m honoured to be Bridgwater’s new Mayor, and I look forward to working alongside the brilliant people and organisations that make this amazing town such a very special place to live,” she said. Kathy’s Mayoress will be her school friend Sue Young.

Local Girl

Kathy Pearce was born in Bridgwater, went to Blake School and has been a Bridgwater Town Councillor since 2011. She was a Sedgemoor District Councillor from 1999 until 2023 and is currently a Somerset Councillor representing Bridgwater South. Kathy has a special interest in the environment and climate related issues and  was instrumental in the Council’s policies for Pesticide Free management of our local parks and open spaces, being an advocate for increasing planting across the town, along with minimising the use of single use plastics for Council operations.

Community Focus

Kathy worked at the ROF at Puriton for 10 years and in later years, worked at Somerset County Council, supporting parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, until taking early retirement to start a new career as a freelance gardener. At this time, she returned to college, part time, for 3 years to study horticulture.

Practical Hobbies

She is currently Secretary of Friends of the Meads and Chairs the Steering Group for the South Bridgwater Pantry, which is all about preventing food waste.  She has also recently become a member of the Friends of Avalon Sensory Garden. Her chosen charity that she will be fundraising for this year is Men’s Shed, a welcoming community space where men (and women!) can engage in practical hobbies, share skills, learn new ones, and work on personal or community projects.

The Civic Team

This year’s Deputy Mayor is Cllr Leigh Redman (Labour, Hamp).

Leigh is the Leader of the Labour Group on Somerset Council.

If you would like the Mayor to attend your event you can complete the Town Council’s online form Book the Mayor – Bridgwater Town Council or contact them on 01278 427692