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

Ms Pamela Bale

Pamela Bale served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 2006 to 2019.

Pamela Bale was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

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 Paul Bryant

Paul Bryant served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 2007 to 2019.

Paul Bryant was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

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.

Mr Keith Chopping 

Keith Chopping Served as Chairman of The Council in 2008 and 2013. Mr Chopping was also a Councillor for West Berkshire Council between 2000 and 2019.

Keith Chopping was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

Ms Hilary Cole

Hilary Cole was Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2008, Deputy Leader between 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, Portfolio Holder in 2014 for Planning, Transport (Policy), Culture, Customer Services, Countryside, 2015 (Adult Social Care, Housing),Portfolio Holder in 2016 for Adults, Care and Culture,Portfolio Holder in 2017 Planning, Housing and Leisure, Portfolio Holder in 2018 for Planning, Housing, Waste, Portfolio Holder in 2019 for Economic Development and Planning, Portfolio Holder in 2020 Planning and Housing, Portfolio 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 Adrian Edwards 

Adrian Edwards Served as Chairman of the Council in 2012. Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2011. Mr Edwards was also a Councillor for West Berkshire Council for 19 years in total from 1987 to 1991, 2000-2003 and 2007-2019.

Adrian Edwards was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

Mr Marcus Franks

Marcus Franks first served as a member of the Executive in 2005 and was responsible for several portfolios during his time at The Council. Mr Franks served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 2003 to 2019.

Marcus Franks was made an Honorary Alderman in May 2019.

Mr Graham Jones 

Graham Jones served as Vice-Chairman of The Council in 2014. Mr Jones also served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 1997 to 2019.

Graham Jones was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

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 nine 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.

Ms Mollie Lock 

Mollie Lock served as Chairman of The Council in 2001. Mrs Lock also served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 1995 to 2019.

Mollie Lock was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

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.

Mr Gordon Lundie

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 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 Anthony Stansfeld 

Anthony Stansfield served as a Councillor for 20 years in total from 1987 to 1991 and 2003 to 2019.

Anthony Stansfield was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

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.

Mr Quentin Webb

Quentin Webb served as Chairman of The Council in 2017 and 2018. Vice-Chairman in 2009 and 2015. Mr Webb also served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 2003 to 2019.

Quentin Webb was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

Ms Emma Webster

Emma Webster served as a Councillor for West Berkshire Council from 2003 to 2019.

Emma Webster was made an Honorary Alderman in January 2020.

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.