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MAYOR OF GODALMING

2025 - Crooks - Robert Martin

COUNCILLOR BOB CROOKS MBE

At York University in 1975 I obtained a degree in Physics and Philosophy. At a time of mass unemployment I then worked at MAFF IT centre at Guildford as Programmer Training Officer, training local unemployed people as programmers before obtaining MAFF sponsorship for an MSc in Information Systems and Technologies at the London School of Economics in 1981. Returning to MAFF I led development of IT systems for Sea Fisheries management and worked with the European Commission and EU coastal states to set up the EU’s fishing vessel monitoring system. In my final years at Defra I led a cross-departmental group to establish an IT sustainability strategy providing the Minister and Cabinet Office with an annual statement of progress.

 

Further Information

During this time as a local TUC Trades Councillor, I worked with Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council to set up an Unemployed People’s centre in Guildford in 1977 which continues to this day as Guildford Action supporting all disadvantaged people at Haydon Place.

I was honoured to receive an MBE from the Queen for this project in 2008. As an off shoot to my work with Guildford Action I set up Furniture Link Guildford which now runs a successful furniture recycling enterprise based at Merrow Business Park providing employment and volunteering opportunities.

On retirement from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs I joined the Green Party in 2017 and was elected to Godalming Town Council in May 2019 and re-elected in 2023. Currently as a Town Councillor I chair the Audit Committee and vice chair the Environment and Planning Committee. I helped set up the Godalming Youth Service and have worked with the What Next climate action group to help promote sustainability amongst the town’s residents and visitors. I also act as a liaison point for the District Scouts Board, am a member of the Godalming Cycle campaign and  the South West Surrey Compass group. Alongside my Councillor work I sing with and support the Occam Singers having chaired its board of trustees between 2017 and 2022

Veronica and I married in 1975 so this year will be our Golden Wedding anniversary. We set up home in Godalming in 1977 and have three children and now 6 grandchildren two of whom attend local junior and secondary schools.

As Mayor am looking to work with Charlie’s Promise to reduce local knife crime and with WhatNext? to help the Godalming Youth Service build sustainability into its work with our young people.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE CURRENT GODALMING TOWN MAYOR, PAST MAYORS AND HOW TO INVITE THE MAYOR TO YOUR EVENT.

 

You can find the programme of Mayoral engagements by clicking here.

The role and duty of the Deputy Mayor is to deputise, as required, for the Mayor.  When chairing Full Council the Deputy Mayor assumes the Mayor’s role and powers in relation to that meeting.

In undertaking engagements, the Deputy Mayor’s role is to act as the Mayor’s representative.

Except for civic occasions and Full Council meetings, the Deputy Mayor has no role when the Mayor is present ie. if the Mayor attends an event as Mayor the Deputy Mayor may only attend the same function as a Councillor.  Except for the aforementioned occasions, the Deputy Mayor must not wear chains of office whenever the Mayor is present.

If you wish to invite the Mayor to your event please click here to complete a request form.

If you have a more specific enquiry regarding the Mayor, please contact the Support Services Executive, Lynne Purnell.

Please Note

  • In speeches the Mayor of Godalming is referred to as ‘Town Mayor’.
  • The partner of the Mayor is known as the Town Mayor’s Consort, and may be a spouse, partner or other nominated person.
  • If formal photographs are taken at the event, a copy would be appreciated for the Mayor’s portfolio.
  • Please note the Mayor will normally wear the chain of office unless your event is informal and you specifically request “no chain of office”.

The Mayoralty in Godalming has a long history, you can view the photographs/images (that we have) of Town Mayors going back to 1786.

List of Past Mayors of Godalming
List of Godalming’s Wardens

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