All the pomp and pageantry as new Mayor of Rotherham leads town centre parade

Cllr Taylor was installed as first citizen during RMBC’s annual ceremonial meeting last Friday (19) and paraded through the town centre on Saturday.

His chosen charities to support during his time in the chains are the Hope group, the Feoffees and Rotherham Hospital & Community Charity.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Hope offers meeting and support for people who have suffered loss through incidents like fire, road crashes and drowning.

Sheffield-born Cllr Taylor started his 30-plus year stint with the fire service when he signed up to a recruit training course on March 7, 1983, aged 18.

He was based with white watch at Erskine Road in Eastwood — now JE James Cycles — before moving to the new station when it opened on Fitzwilliam Road.

During that time, the mayor, wife Tracy and son Callum moved to Swallownest, as Cllr Taylor’s career with SYFR took him across the county before his 2014 retirement.

The Labour member was co-opted onto Aston Parish Council before being elected to RMBC in 2015.

He lost his seat in the 2021 polls but quickly returned via a by-election in the Aughton & Swallownest ward later that year.

After being formally appointed as mayor, Cllr Taylor said: “It is a continual privilege to represent the area and the people where I live.

“I feel absolutely honoured and humbled to be chosen to be the Mayor of Rotherham.

“It never crossed my mind, until a couple of years ago, that I would have ever been or indeed worthy of such a position.

“I’m aware of the huge responsibilities of the role and of the great opportunities it offers for me to promote and represent the borough across the many events I will attend over the year, which this year will include the great prestige of hosting Yorkshire Day.

“Being mayor will also enable me to champion things close to my heart including health, fitness and wellbeing and support work with children and young people as the borough works towards becoming the Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025.”

Cllr Taylor is Rotherham’s 118th mayor — the first being John Matthew Habershon in 1871/72.

Last weekend’s parade included a guard of honour by firefighters in honour of Cllr Taylor’s three decades with the service.

Cllr Sheila Cowen was installed as deputy mayor for 2023/24.