Honorary Aldermen of West Berkshire

An Alderman is a high-ranking member of Council, chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote. Councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to create Honorary Aldermen, as a reward for services as a Councillor. The position of Honorary Alderman is non-political.

The title is derived from the Old English title of ealdorman, literally meaning 'elder man'. The conferring of the title 'Honorary Alderman' is the highest award that can be made to a former Councillor in recognition of exceptional service to the council.

The privileges of an Alderman include:

• to attend, as an observer, at meetings of Council or any other meetings to which the press and public are admitted, and to have a seat reserved for this purpose
• to receive invitations to all civic events to which Members of the council are invited
• to wear the Badge of Office of Honorary Alderman on council duties
• to enjoy such other privileges as the council may confer upon them
• to enjoy the courtesy title of 'Honorary Alderman', and to be addressed as such
   

Honorary Aldermen

Mr Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck served as Chairman in 2014, as a Committee Chairman from 2007 to 2013, then again in 2015, and finally between 2019 and 2020. Mr Beck was also a Councillor for West Berkshire Council for 19 years in total from 2000 to 2003 and 2007 to 2023.

Jeff Beck was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Brian Bedwell

Brian Bedwell served on Newbury District Council from 1991 to 1995 and then West Berkshire Council from 1997 to 2015, representing the Theale and Calcot wards. He held the office of Chairman in 2006 to 2007.

Brian Bedwell was made an Honorary Alderman in September 2015.

Mr Graham Bridgman 

Graham Bridgman was the former Deputy Leader of Council between 2019 and 2023, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing between 2017 and 2019, Committee Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and the Licensing Committee and Councillor on West Berkshire Council for 8 years.

Graham Bridgman was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr John Chapman

John Chapman served on Newbury District Council and then West Berkshire Council from 1979 to 2007, representing Purley ward. He held the office of Chairman in 2005 to 2006.

John Chapman was made an Honorary Alderman in December 2012.

Ms Hilary Cole

Hilary Cole was Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2008, Deputy Leader begtween 2012 and 2018, Portfolio Holder in 2010 for Environment, "Cleaner Greener," Public Protection, Customer Services, Portfolio Holder in 2011 for Environment, "Cleaner Greener", Public Protection, Culture and Leisure, Portfolio Holder in 2012 for Countryside, Environmental Protection, 'Cleaner and Greener,' Culture), 2013 (Planning, Transport (Policy), Culture, Customer Services, Countryside, Porfolio Holder in 2014 for Planning, Transport (Policy), Culture, Customer Services, Countryside, 2015 (Adult Social Care, Housing),Porfolio Holder in 2016 for Adults, Care and Culture,Porfolio Holder in 2017 Planning, Housing and Leisure, Porfolio Holder in 2018 for Planning, Housing, Waste, Porfolio Holder in 2019 for Economic Development and Planning, Porfolio Holder in 2020 Planning and Housing, Porfolio Holder in 2021 for Housing and Transformation and Councillor on West Berkshire Council for 16 years in total.

Hilary Cole was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Rick Jones

Rick Jones was Chairman of Council between 2022 and 2023, Vice Chairman in 2021, Portfolio Holder in 2017 for Adult Social Care, Portfolio Holder in 2018 for Health and Wellbeing, Leisure, and Culture, Portfolio Holder in 2019 for Public Health and Community Wellbeing, Committee Chairman for Licensing between 2016 and 2021 and Councillor on West Berkshire Council for 9 years.

Rick Jones was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Alan Law 

Alan Law served as Vice Chairman of Council between 2022 and 2023, Portfolio Holder between 2008 and 2009 for Planning and Housing, Portfolio Holder in 2010 for Planning, Housing, Transport Policy, Portfolio Holder in 2011 for Planning, Transport Policy, Housing, Economic Development, Portfolio Holder in 2012 for Finance, Economic Development, Health & Safety, Pensions, Portfolio Holder between 2013 and 2014 for Finance, Economic Development, Health & Safety, HR, Pensions, Property, Portfolio Holder in 2015 for Planning, Economic Development, Portfolio Holder in 2016 for Economic Development and Planning, Committee Chairman between 2016 and 2022 and Councillor on West Berkshire Council for 16 years.

Alan Law was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Tony Linden

Tony Linden was a Councillor on West Berkshire Council (and formerly Newbury District Council) between 1983 and 1995 and 2000 to 2023, a total of 35 years.

Tony Linden was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Gordon Lundle

Gordon Lundle was Leader of Council between 2012 and 2015, Portfolio Holder between 2010 2011 for Children & Families, Youth Service, Culture and Leisure and Councillor on West Berkshire Council for 16 years.

Gordon Lundle was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Joe Mooney

Joe Mooney served on Newbury District Council and then West Berkshire Council from 1987 to 1995 representing Tilehurst ward, and 1997 to 2015 representing the Birch Copse ward.

Joe Mooney was made an Honorary Alderman in September 2015.

Mr Graham Pask

Graham Pask was Previously Chairman of Council between 2010 and 2011 and 2019 to 2021, Portfolio Holder between 2005 and 2006 for Children and Young People, Portfolio Holder in 2007 for Partnerships and the Cleaner and Greener Portfolio, Portfolio Holder between 2008 and 2009 for Partnerships, "Cleaner Greener", Safer stronger communities, Portfolio Holder in  2013 for Partnerships, Equality, Communities, Portfolio Holder in 2014 for Partnerships, Equality, Communities, Hungerford and Eastern Area Visions, Community Safety, Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee, Chairman Eastern Area Planning Committee and Councillor on West Berkshire Council (and formerly Newbury District Council) for 36 years.

Graham Pask was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2023.

Mr Andrew Rowles

Andrew Rowles served on Newbury District Council and then West Berkshire Council from 1997 to 2015, representing Kintbury ward. He held the office of Chairman in 2007 to 2008.

Andrew Rowles was made an Honorary Alderman in September 2015.
 

Mr Alan Thorpe

Alan Thorpe served on Newbury District Council and then West Berkshire Council from 1997 to 2015, representing Beech Hill, Grazeley, Stratfield Mortimer, Sulhamstead Bannister, Wokefield and Mortimer wards. He held the office of Chairman in 1994 to 1995.

Alan Thorpe was made an Honorary Alderman in September 2012.

Suspended Honorary Aldermen

Mr Jeff Brooks

Jeff Brooks served on Newbury District Council and West Berkshire Council from 1995 to 2015, representing Shaw-cum-Donnington, Thatcham North and Thatcham West wards.

He was made an Honorary Alderman in September 2015, but this was suspended in April 2018 when he rejoined the council having won the by-election for Thatcham West.
 

Mr Royce Longton

Royce Longton served on Newbury District Council and then West Berkshire Council from 1995 to 2015, representing Burghfield ward.

He was made an Honorary Alderman in September 2015, but this was suspended in May 2019 when he was re-elected to represent the Burghfield and Mortimer ward.