New Mayor for city of Newport
Posted on Wednesday 17th May 2023
Newport City Council has formally welcomed Councillor Trevor Watkins as the first citizen of the city.
A tradition dating back to medieval times in Newport was continued on 16 May 2023 when Councillor Watkins became the 391st recorded Mayor of Newport. The first is recorded as taking up office in 1314.
Councillor Watkins was born and bought up in Newport. He has held various positions throughout his career - including completing an apprenticeship and managing a public house in Neath as well as managing The Artful Dodger in Clarence Place.
Over the last twenty years Councillor Watkins has worked in the security industry as a training manager and HR manager for a national company.
He is now retired and has a daughter Catherine and a granddaughter. He has a number of hobbies which include gardening, stamp collecting and working on his American car.
Councillor Watkins also has enjoyed working with the Tredegar Park community, The Friends of Tredegar House, and the Duffryn Community Link.
Since being first elected to the Council in 2004, Councillor Watkins has been on three scrutiny committees, planning, social services, education, and democratic services. He is on the Chair of Governors of Tredegar Park Primary School and a governor of John Frost School.
His daughter Catherine will be Mayoress for the year. Born and bought up in Newport and educated in Newport and London. Catherine is very excited to be supporting her father during his Mayoral year.
The mayor has chosen the charities that he will support during his year in office: Motor Neurone Disease Association and Growing Space.
The south east Wales branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association has been providing support for people with the condition and their families in the region for over 20 years.
The local branch achieves this by providing accurate, professional, accessible information and support to enable people with MND to live with their diagnosis and achieve the best quality of life possible through funding.
Growing Space is a registered mental health charity which was founded in 1992. It recognises that social exclusion is often experienced by people with mental ill health and works to build confidence, develop social skills and improve their quality of life.
Councillor Pat Drewett will hold the position of Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year.
He was born and brought up on the Gaer estate in Newport. After a long career as in education, he now serves as a governor at St. Woolos Primary School and St. Joseph’s R.C. High School.
Councillor Drewett is a strong advocate for Newport’s rich heritage, he was a founding member and now life president of local charity, Our Chartist Heritage. He is also a keen supporter of the work of the Welsh Refugee Council which recognises asylum seekers and refugees.
Retiring Mayor, Councillor Martyn Kellaway and Mayoress Helen Kellaway were thanked for their year of service.