Will Forster elected as the Mayor of Woking
Lib Dem Councillor Will Forster became the 45th Mayor of Woking.
Will Forster was sworn in as Woking's apolitical Mayor on 17th May, after being elected by Councillors on Woking Borough Council.
Will Forster said, "I was delighted and honoured to have been elected as Woking's 45th Mayor, my hometown. Over the next year I will be attending as many ceremonial, civic and community events as I can during my term of office."
"We have a great town and Borough, with a strong sense of community - and as Mayor, I am looking forward to celebrating and highlighting the good work being done by voluntary organisations across the whole of Woking Borough. I am also delighted to say that I will not be doing all this alone, as my partner Hannah will be supporting me as Mayoress throughout the year."
Having lived in Goldsworth Park and then Westfield for more than two decades, with 9 years experience as a Councillor and having run to be Woking's MP, Will Forster often feel as if he knows Woking like the back of his hand, but he is certain that over the next year he will get to know the Borough even better.
Will Forster added, "I have chosen to support Woking's local homeless charity, the York Road Project, as the Mayor's Charity. The York Road Project provides emergency lodging, longer term accommodation and ongoing support to help those experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. I am hoping that I can help raise funds for this very deserving cause, and also raise awareness as to how local residents can best support people who have fallen on hard times."
"I have a long history of supporting the York Road Project. My late Grandmother was a strong supporter of the shelter. Back when I was a teenager, when I worked at a bakery and café in Woking town centre, I used to drop off unsold food at the Project on my way home. Finally, having represented the area the York Road Project is in since 2009, I have regularly supported them including granting much needed funding from my County Councillor's Members' Allocations fund for good local causes."