Mayor
Cllr Jacqui Solomon

Eastover Councillor Jacqui Solomon was elected onto Bridgwater Town Council in 2022.
Born in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire, Jacqui moved to Somerset at the age of 9 where her parents ran the Sedgemoor Inn in Westonzoyland.
After graduating from University, Jacqui went into the world of trade and industry as an accounts clerk including several years in London before returning to Somerset to run the pub. Later she went into teaching, doing a spot of teacher training at UWE in Bristol and then getting a job teaching geography at Chilton Trinity for 16 years.
Today Jacqui works part time as a Weddings Ceremonies Officer for the Registration Service.
A keen environmentalist, Jacqui is eager to support the Town Councils’ open spaces strategy and is already deeply involved in local initiatives being Chair of the Friends of the Meads Project.
Another of her passions is the Climate Emergency and she is working closely with Councillors Kathy Pearce and Liz Leavy on a Climate strategy for the Town Council.
Jacqui is a key spokesperson on Youth matters and is vice chair of the Finance committee.
Jacqui said “It is a great honour to be elected as Mayor of Bridgwater by my fellow councillors and I would also like to thank the electorate of Eastover Ward for electing me to Bridgwater Town Council”.
Mace Bearer
Chris Hocking

Born in Bridgwater and educated at St Margaret’s School and Dr Morgan’s School before finishing education at Taunton School.Career began with Natwest Bank in Taunton followed by seven years with Bridgwater Building Society. Appointed as Advertising & PR Manager for Chelsea Building Society, based in Cheltenham, before returning to Bridgwater in 1984. For 12 years ran his own advertising and print company before joining Bridgwater College as Carnival Placement Co-ordinator, (a post he still holds). Establishing and organising courses for people involved in carnivals throughout Somerset, parts of Devon, Dorset & Wilts.
Involved with Bridgwater Carnival for 40 years, initially as a member of Marketeer’s Carnival Club and now a vice-president of Wills C C. Joined the Bridgwater Carnival committee in 1985 and held the post of Publicity Officer for 19 years before becoming President of the committee and serving the maximum three year term in this role. Now a Director and Trustee of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Ltd, Chris compered the annual Carnival Concerts for 18 years and now organises the entertainment in the town during the day of Bridgwater Carnival and is also responsible for leading new projects.
Chris became a professional Toastmaster in 2003 and now officiates at weddings and functions throughout the south-west, and beyond. Other interests include amateur theatre and rugby (as a spectator these days!).
Still living in Bridgwater, he is married to Linda and has two children, two step-children and six grandchildren.
Deputy Mayor
Cllr Kathy Pearce
