CLLR RACHEL Eden took on the role of mayor of Reading in November 2021, having acted as deputy mayor for 18 months before her appointment, and in May handed over the golden chain.
Now that Cllr Tony Page has been elected as her successor, Cllr Eden said of leaving the role: “I’ve got really mixed feelings.
“On one level, of course, I will miss the role of mayor; It’s a fantastic position to hold and a huge privilege.
“Everything from the trappings of the chain, which has such history to it, to the opportunity to meet so many different people and do so many different things, it’s been amazing.”
She said, however, that each mayor brings their own style and approach: “actually it’s nice to hand it on knowing you’ve done what you set up to do and the next person’s going to be ready to take on the challenge.”
Cllr Eden explained that she was warned by previous mayors that the role is to serve the needs of the town, and that this means a prospective or incumbent mayor may not know what their specific roles could be.
“So I was told not to be too set in my ideas, but I did have five priorities that I would particularly focus on.
“I wanted to promote equality and diversity because we are such a diverse town and I’m really proud of the range– in every sense– of lifestyles, beliefs, cultures, and origins stories.
“We have an amazing town for that.”
She says also that prospects for young people in Reading was another of her priorities: “I wanted to really focus on how we give our young people the best start in life, but I also wanted to bring a little bit more to the conversation about end of life care.”
She said that this is one of the reasons she chose The Duchess of Kent Hospice Care as one of her mayoral charities, which also included Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), and Parenting Special Children.
She also wanted to prioritise sustainability through the role, too: “So seemingly little things like having vegetarian or vegan food as an option when I was on mayoral duties.
“I’m not vegetarian or vegan myself, but when there was the option I wanted to create more awareness around that.”
The mayor’s role is more ceremonial than many think, she explained: “So you’re not that implement policy.
“But are we really giving our young people the best start in life? Are we as sustainable as we can be?
“Those are jobs that are not ever going to be done and often all the mayor can do is be a catalyst for that and to stand with people and support people who are trying to achieve those things.
“So there’s way more to do, and I hope to do more of it myself in future.”
As for stand-out moments during her tenure, Cllr Eden said that there were two categories of memorable moments: “There were positive things which were just joyous, such as the Mayor’s Walk– which was two days walking 35 miles around the boundaries of Reading.
“It’s a privilege to be the mayor, and it was a real opportunity to highlight parts of Reading which often don’t get attention as they’re on the edge.
“At points we had more than 30 people joining me, and it was just wonderful to feel so together and join in with so much of Reading’s community.”
She also said that visiting Reading’s young communities was another highlight: “Whether they came to visit the parlour, or visiting schools, Cubs, Brownies…
“It gave me so much hope; when I’m an old lady and they’re running the world, it’s going to be a better place.”
The other category of stand-out moments, she explained, were not always purely positive, but more serious despite being a privilege to take part in.
“When I first agreed to be deputy mayor, and with the expectation that might become mayor, I wasn’t expecting to still be mayor by the time of the Jubilee.
“None of us were expecting the death of the Queen–she felt like she was immortal–but that was an immense privilege and a very solemn duty to ‘announce’ the news to the people of Reading, although they knew already, of course, and that we had a new King.
Cllr Eden attended an event in the run-up to King Charles III’s coronation as a representative of the Royal County of Berkshire, the only county invited to such events due to its Royal designation.
“It was very momentous and I’m very grateful to have had that chance and also was privileged to meet King Charles at Buckingham Palace and have a conversation with him.
“So representing Berkshire at that event felt really special.”
Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, Cllr Eden said: “It was one of the most difficult things, but I was also privileged to be able to work with the Ukrainian community
“The people of Reading wanted to show solidarity, and immediately after that full-scale invasion started people were leaving flowers outside the Ukrainian center, people were donating items in their droves.
“The Ukrainian community was overwhelmed, and I realised that people needed an outlet.
“So I started a second appeal through which I’ve really come to know the Ukrainian community– not only the many new arrivals but also people who have been here their whole lives.”
“As mayor,” she explained, “you’re the outlet to some extent, and you’re also there to welcome people and show them that we want them, that we’re proud to house them, and proud to welcome them.
“That has been an immense privilege. I know any mayor would have done that and it’s been very lucky that has been my duty.
“I felt very proud, as the town should, of how Reading reacted to that.”
Speaking on whether she thought that the role of mayor had been made more relevant during her tenure, she said: “No, I don’t think that was specific to me.
“I hope I didn’t do badly, but I think it’s important that when we’re going through turbulent time where everyday life is difficult for people, that we can be there for people.
“And life is so difficult for people at the moment: from the health service to just going to the shops and being amazed by the price of yoghurt or something like that.
“Being there for people and also telling Reading’s story back to itself– we seem to be blocking out in our minds how disruptive Covid was, the impact it’s had on everyone’s lives.”
“So,” she continued, “we need to tell our story to ourselves; we need to remind ourselves about what Reading is. “What are we about? What are we for as a community? I think the mayor can tell that story, and that’s really special.”
As for tips for her successor: “I wouldn’t dare tell my successor how they should do it, as we all do it our own way and I’m sure my successor will bring their own fantastic style.
“But I think the two things you do need; the first thing is, is that you want to embrace it and try everything.”
Se continued: “You don’t realise at first as mayor how much your presence means to people– not because it’s you, but because of the chain and because of the history.
“We’ve had 800-odd mayors of Reading, and so when you turn up you’re not just there as yourself, so make that moment.
“Because that is a really special moment for people; you know, if I walk down to The Co-op as Rachel, no one blinks.
“But If I walk through Tilehurst or Whitley wearing the chain, people think something special is happening, so enjoy that and embrace that privilege.”
And secondly: “Be flexible: about what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to do that day, what you’re going to be asked to do when you get to an event.
“Reading is an amazingly big-hearted, generous town– you’re going to find that you’re going to do things you never imagined, even if you have been a councillor for a very good time.
“Even if you’re incredibly experienced, you’ll learn something new as mayor.”
“You’re always going to be surprised, so roll with the lunches!”
Speaking about her successor, Cllr Tony Page, she said: “Tony, I would say, is one of the most well-known politicians in Reading, and has contributed a huge amount of our town over the decades.
“It’s really special that he is taking it on in his 50th year as a councillor, I think it he will bring something special to the role.
“But also we’re all a link in the chain, and I think he’s incredibly proud of and passionate about Reading, to which he’s dedicated his life.”
Cllr Eden also had one final message for the people of Reading in her role as mayor: “I think we sometimes underestimate ourselves, we don’t see ourselves as others see us.
“I’ve had the opportunity to see us as some other people see us– we are a big-hearted, open town and you can be anyone and anything in Reading and you’ll be embraced.
“There is so much potential: we can do more, we can get better, and I really I’m always trying to look for the next thing we can do.
“But we should also be really proud of who we are — we’ve got an incredible history and heritage that we don’t always shout about because we’re quite at ease with it.”
She said that Reading would have an exciting future, too: “There’s so many things coming down the track that we can be excited about, and we’ve got, a wonderful community.
“We should we should embrace and be proud of that, and not ever be satisfied and or rest on our laurels.
“But I think we also need to look at ourselves and actually just be aware of how amazing a community we are.”
“Reading is a town of bridges, not walls; new citizens and arrivals are our bridges to the rest of the world, but we’re also bridges to each other and between communities, at our best.”
Speaking more personally, she said: “I’ve seen my role as to being a friend to everyone in Reading- I wanted to be a mayor that children would want to come up and hug, that people felt was a friend to them, and anyone who is trying to make Reading a better place.
“I was particularly touched that the chair of Reading’s Ukrainian Community Center described me as a sister Ukrainian.
“Being a sister, showing solidarity, and being an ally to people who need it is important when you’re in a privileged position.
“There are so many people who don’t have privilege at the moment and if you’re in a position of privilege, you want to use that.”
With some speculating as to what Cllr Eden’s future ambitions might be, she concluded: “I’m not done.
“There are so many things about the world that I want to change and so many things about Reading that I think could be improved even further.
“What exactly that position will be I can’t tell you because I don’t know myself.
“But not only will have more time for Whitley, my ward, my family, and my work, but there’s also going to be more time for politics.”
