Mayor Making Ceremony 2008 - Councillor Robin Parker is the new Mayor

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Mayor Robin Parker

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Councillor Robin Parker became the Mayor of Rochdale at tonight's Mayor Making Ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall.

Born in 1944, Mayor Parker was brought up in West London. He moved to Rochdale in 1974, joined the Labour Party in 1975 and was first elected Councillor, for the then Central and Falinge Ward, in 1987.

He stepped down as a councillor in 1995 but was re-elected in 1996 for the seat of Middleton West before losing his seat in 2004. However, he stood for council again in 2006 and was elected as Councillor for West Middleton.

Mayor Parker is a confirmed and active member of the Church of England, he attends All Saints and Martyrs Church in Langley, and it was through the church he met his partner Anni Jones - who is the new Mayoress.

Mayor Parker has two children, Tim and Eleanor, from his first marriage and remains a Queens Park Rangers supporter, though he follows Manchester United in the Premier League.

Musically he has eclectic tastes, ranging from traditional jazz, to fifties and sixties rock and classical.

He and Mrs Jones are also keen on ballet, lovers of the theatre and are strong supporters of the arts.

Mayoress Mrs Jones was born and brought up on Langley and attended school in Middleton. She works in Occupational Therapy for Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust.

Mrs Jones says she is excited about this coming year as Mayoress and is very much looking forward to meeting people from different groups and backgrounds.

The Mayor's Charity Appeal 2008-09 supported by Mayor Parker and Mayoress, Mrs Jones will be raising funds for The British Heart Foundation and Springhill Hospice. Donations may be made direct to:

The Mayor's Office
Town Hall
Rochdale
OL16 1AB

Tel: 01706 924760

Please make cheques payable to:

"The Mayor's Charity"