The Mock Mayor’s Parade for 2024 took place in Gloucester alongside the Gloucester Day Parade. A new tenure for the non-political role has been given to someone who will champion a community cause and Nick Gazzard has been officially declared.
After the Mock Mayor-making ceremony earlier in the week, Nick has been given the honour for 2024/25 as founder and CEO of the Hollie Gazzard Trust. Well known in Gloucester and the wider county, Nick has shown devotion to helping victims of domestic abuse and violence after the murder of daughter Hollie ten years ago.
Asked to present prizes, open events, and do everything they can to help the community, Nick joins a long line of Mock Mayor’s who originate from the restoration of King Charles II as monarch in 1660. The King punished Gloucester because the city stood against his father King Charles I during the Civil War Siege of Gloucester in 1643.
The new monarch reduced the city’s boundaries and left the area of Barton and Tredworth outside the city. This meant the people living in what was then the parish of Barton St Mary were left without a Mayor, so they decided to make their own.
Nick said: “Thank you all for being here today. It is with great humility, pride and just a hint of disbelief that I accept this prestigious title of Mock Mayor of Barton that has been bestowed upon me.” As is tradition the Mock Mayor took part in the parade via a mode of transport that makes him or her stand out, and this year Nick rode on a bicycle. Previous Mayor’s have been wheeled out in wheelie bins and a horse and cart.
The Mayor of Gloucester Cllr Lorraine Campbell presented Nick with a gift and made her speech with praise for town crier Alan Myatt who has been involved with Gloucester Day for 15 years and Mock Mayor making for 40 years.
“It is wonderful to be here to address you all on this very splendid occasion” the Mayor said. ”The Mock Mayor is woven into our history, into the fabric of Gloucester. Have a wonderful Gloucester Day and keep it in your hearts.”
Attending his first Gloucester Day as newly-elected MP for the city, Alex McIntyre said: “It is absolutely fantastic to be asked to be here as my first Gloucester Day as the MP. Today we celebrate everything that is wonderful about our city. Welcome to Nick as our new Mock Mayor of Barton.”