Claire Weston
Montgomery Mayor Making 5th July 2026
This years Mayor Making was a little special, our very own flute, bass, penny whistle, Monty Folk multi-instrumentalist.... and Councillor, Claire Weston was announced as the New Mayor Of Montgomery and Claire asked if I would record the event.
The Upper Town Hall will need some additional lighting to make photographing a little easier, van full of essential portable kit, I arrive early Friday and start to set up.
Two continuous lights for the stage, 3 speedlights for the hall, should be enough to add light to the audience during and after the meeting.
I used remote triggered speedlights that are controlled from my camera. I am able to adjust the light level in the hall as the evening progresses and the light changes in the hall.
The stage lights are static but the light intensity can be controlled from my phone, if it is too bright, this is an easy remedy without having to go on stage.
The left stage light is positioned so some light bleeds across to the Green Room. This offstage room is always dark and normally requires a high ISO to get a suitable exposure. With a little assistance from the this light, shooting is a bit easier.
For the Mayor Making Ceremony, Claire had invited Monty Folk to play. Will & Amie (Guitar & Harp) provided entrance music with the rest of the band joining them at the end of the council meeting and as people mingled.
The meeting started off with a general announcement from the Town Clerk and a speech from the outgoing Mayor, Rob Harper. Rob thanked his fellow councillors for their assistance while he was in office and the generous support from the community of Montgomery making Rob's job such a delight.
The council then adjourned to the Green Room, where Mayor Rob Harper handed over to newly elected Mayor, Claire Weston. The Town Clerk, Helen Royall, then announced to an excited and supportive audience, the new Mayor of Montgomery, as Claire Weston.
Claire made a speech thanking the people of Montgomery and all the past Mayors for their commitment to the Town. She mentioned that the signing of the official Mayoral book had not been carried out since Covid restrictions, and tonight, this would be rectified with 3 previous Mayors, including Rob, signing the Mayor’s book along with the clerk as a witness. There would be a special entry for a previous Mayor, Jill Kibble who, sadly, is no longer with us.
Claire also announced that Hugh Anton-Stephens would be her deputy and her son Owen, would be her escort, her charity, Mid Wales Air Ambulance and Montgomeryshire Youth Music.
Claire added that two new honorary Freemen roles would be presented to Mary Bunner and Ann Yewdall. Montgomery Freeman, Lionel Weaver handed Ann and Mary, a framed certificate and Freemen's ribbon.
Once the council meeting had finished, the audience were invited to a free drink at the bar, and a large buffet was provided while Monty Folk went into full swing as people gathered and chatted.
There was also an art display from local artists, Charlotte Durie, Cheryl Leach and Alex Boyd-Jones.
One painting on display, a specially painted artwork entitled “The Bard of Wales” was gifted to the town of Montgomery by internationally known artist Mihály Aradszky. It had been presented on his behalf to the then Mayor, Rob Harper, during the Welsh Hungarian friendship celebrations in May.
There was so much happening at this Mayor Making, way too much for a blog on photography. To read more about this and other events in and around Montgomery, please visit the Montgomery Wales official Facebook page
Mayor Making
Sunday Civic Service
