Preston Mayor

⭐ Find out what Madam Mayor of Preston got up to in March, in her latest blog 👇 preston.gov.uk/article/12618/…

PRESTON, LANCASHIRE’S CHRISTMAS CAPITAL - SET TO KICKSTART THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON, ON SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER, 5.00PM – 7.30PM, ON THE FLAG MARKET. We’ve got a brilliant mix of comedy, music, dance and… potatoes… the event is kindly supported by leading independent broadband provider, Brsk, high end supermarket, Booths, the superb SpudBros, award winning parkour, stunt and free running academy, The Street Monkeys, Eatinout, a game-changing food and drink app, and Preston City Council. Staged by the BID team with support from city centre businesses and Smooth Radio North West, the Switch On is one of the biggest events in the city’s calendar! Performing live is visionary ventriloquist, Paul Zerdin – winner of American’s Got Talent, Vegas resident, and star of countless international TV shows and Palladium pantomimes. Joining Paul will be the amazing ‘The Trilogies’, an energetic three-piece outfit, starring Emmerdale actor Bradley Johnson (Vinnie Dingle), Bank of Dave actor Nigel Passey, and singer song-writer Freddie Bolt, whose pitch-perfect harmonies and dynamic dance moves are sure to get Preston in fine festive spirit! Speaking of melodies, TikTok star Henry Oliver will be making his Preston debut. Henry has an army of devoted fans around the world, including none other than Neil Diamond – which led to Henry receiving support for his work from the man himself! The festivities get going with aspiring city rapper ‘Peggy’ taking to the stage, fresh from his appearance on BBC Music Introducing Hometown Freestyle series. World and European champion dance group, DLN Dance, will kick start the show, followed by the brilliant ‘Kids Party Live’ show, featuring live performances of some of the biggest TikTok anthems, plus, hits from the likes of Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Miley Cyrus. Preston’s very own potato pioneers, SpudBros, will also be popping up to share something very special with everyone in the audience; keep your eyes peeled for this! And don’t forget to look up, as local performers from Wolf Entertainments will be entertaining the crowds during the early part of the show with their specially created stilt walking characters. Plus, for the first time in years, Panto is back in Preston! Get ready for hair-raising adventures with the cast of Rapunzel. Packed with toe-tapping songs, dazzling costumes, and laugh-out-loud moments for the whole family, they’ll be appearing and performing at the Switch On. And you never know… Santa might just be stopping by too… Thanks to Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council, and the University of Lancashire, there’s free parking from 1.00pm on Saturday 22nd November for the Switch On, at selected city centre car parks. For more information, please visit: christmascapital.co.uk/warning-this-c…

The Mayor of Preston, Cllr Sue Whittam, had a fantastic time celebrating South Asian culture with councillors, organisers, artists, residents and visitors at Mela 2025 🎉 @prestoncitymela | #mela2025

What’s more, this was the first time a Wagamama restaurant has been opened by a mayor🥢🤩

The Mayor of Preston, Councillor Sue Whittam, was delighted to join staff, residents and visitors to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening of @wagamama_uk🍜 The Mayor wishes the team every success and looks forward to seeing Wagamama become a much-loved part of our community.

Yesterday, the Mayor presided over a special Council meeting at the Town Hall to grant Councillor Jonathan Saksena the Freedom of the City of Preston.🤩 An honour recognising his more than 39 years of dedicated service to the Council and the people of Preston.👏

@GrimsarghCC The Mayor would like to thank everyone who gave their time voluntarily to help organise the event and maintain the grounds. It was a fantastic day filled with sunshine, smiles, and community spirit.☀️

🏏Mayor Sue Whittam and Consort Stephen Whittam attended @GrimsarghCC's annual Billy's Big Bash fundraising day for St Catherine's Hospice. During the day, the Mayor presented the ladies' game trophy, whilst the Consort enjoyed bowling the first ball of the men's game.

📷 Photo credit: Michael Porter

Earlier today Mayor, Councillor Susan Whittam, joined WWII veterans and members of the public for the VJ Day service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cross in the cemetery. It was a very moving and beautiful service, thank you to everyone who came along.

The new houses are near the field where Tommy died and Canberra Lane is named after his aircraft.

Despite Storm Floris, the Mayor was delighted to unveil a plaque with the Chair of Lea & Cottam Parish Council to remember a young pilot, Tommy Evans, who died at the controls of his Canberra aircraft on 25th March 1952.

📢 NEWS: Deputy Mayor Councillor Nweeda Khan to Attend North-West Red Carpet Premiere of new film, Cama Sood Hara in Celebration of Indian and Pakistani Independence Days at Arc Cinema.

EVENT: VJ Day Commemoration Date: Friday 15 August Time: 10am Where: Preston Cemetery, Miller Road entrance for New Hall Lane gate Join @PrestonMayor, our Armed Forces Champion - Cllr Mel Close - and Lancashire Armed Forces Assoc for a commemoration of Victory in Japan... 1/2

The Mayor attended the Disability Pride event on the Preston Flag Market.

🚒 The Mayor attended the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Community event and met many people involved in volunteering and charity work including Darth Vader! The Mary O'Gara Foundation one of The Mayor's chosen charities was also present.

Last week The Mayor attended The Lancashire Festival at Miller Park - lovely family event with plenty of things for families to get involved in. The Mayor is pictured here with organiser Joshua Holden one of the major sponsors and some of the performers.

2/2 🎂 The Mayor attended the Queens Drive County Primary School Summer Fayre and judged the cake baking - which were delicious! It was difficult to choose the winning cake. The Mayor is pictured here with her fellow judges.

1/2 Mayors update. ✨The Mary O'Gara Foundation is one of the Mayor's chosen charities. They were pleased to receive a cheque for £1,000 from the Preston Guild Lodge. The Mayor received the cheque along with Sharon and Paul O'Gara who run the Foundation.

Our Hong Kong learners have had a productive year, improving their English, learning new skills and volunteering in the community. They, and female and resettler volunteers graduating from our Volunteer programme, were presented with achievement certificates by @PrestonMayor. 👏