Mayor
Cllr Kathy Pearce
Kathy Pearce was born in Bridgwater and has been a Bridgwater Town Councillor since 2011. Kathy represents the Westover Ward.
Kathy has a special interest in the environment and climate related issues. She was instrumental in the Council’s policies for Pesticide Free management of our local parks and open spaces, being an advocate for increasing planting across the town, along with minimising the use of single use plastics for Council operations. She is currently Secretary of Friends of the Meads and Chairs the Steering Group for the South Bridgwater Pantry, which is all about preventing food waste. She has also recently become a member of the Friends of Avalon Sensory Garden.
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 Leigh Redman
Bio coming soon…
