The Mayors of Wandsworth
Wandsworth is one of London's largest boroughs, covering an area of 3432 hectares. It is a progressive borough, and the Council is renowned for being at the forefront of many local government initiatives.

Wandsworth Council's motto is "We Serve" and elected Members and officers of the Council are keen to ensure that this is the case. Wandsworth is often the spearhead for new, exciting approaches to the management of local government, and yet it has managed to retain the charm of its own heritage.

The borough is steeped in tradition and every effort is made to preserve this. The prestigious role of the Mayor is one of these traditions and one which everyone is keen to uphold

The Mayor's role in promoting the Council's efforts is of paramount importance, and the presence of the Mayor adds enormous value and prestige to local publicity and fund-raising events. This example of the harmonious blend of old and new is key to Wandsworth's success.

The role of the Mayor
The full Council meets every six weeks. In Wandsworth, as they represent all the people of the borough, Mayors adopt an apolitical stance during their term in office. They are expected to maintain this impartiality, even when taking the chair at full Council meetings.

The Mayoralty - a history
The role of the Mayor is steeped in history and goes back hundreds of years to the days when the position wielded great power. The title of Magistrate was often attached to it and, under these feudal powers, the Mayor was able to administer punishment for transgressions, including having people placed in the stocks! Those days are long gone.

Nowadays, the title of Mayor brings with it the honorary title of First Citizen of the Borough and the deference which people extend to the position. During their term of office, Mayors of Wandsworth may be called upon to receive members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries who visit the borough. They can also expect to be invited to the many important events and occasions which take place in and around Wandsworth.

The Mayor making
The Metropolitan Boroughs of Wandsworth and Battersea were formed in 1900. Following this, the old title of the Chairman of the Board of Guardians was replaced by the new title of Mayor. The full, official title is The Worshipful The Mayor of Wandsworth. In the early years, the Mayor could be chosen from the ranks of the now defunct position of Alderman. These days, Mayors are chosen from the ranks of elected councillors.

Each Mayor serves a term of office lasting one year. This starts at the Annual Meeting of the Council - popularly known as Mayor Making, which normally takes place in May. The event is attended by local dignitaries and prominent business people, together with senior officers from the Council. It is a prestigious occasion, and a popular event in the Council's calendar.

Mayors through the ages
The first Mayor of Wandsworth was Cllr John Lidiard who was elected to the old Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth in 1900. The name Lidiard is still remembered in Wandsworth today, particularly as Lidiard Road in Earlsfield is named after him. Cllr Lidiard's initials are highlighted in the diamonds in the centre of the Mayor's chain of office.

Possibly Wandsworth's best known Mayor was Alderman Sir Archibald Davis Dawnay who took office in May 1908. He served the borough continuously for eleven years and died in office on 23rd April 1919. His name is also perpetuated in the street names of Dawnay Road and Dawnay Gardens, both of which are in Earlsfield.