MEET THE MAYOR
Proud
to serve
As a toddler, the
borough’s new mayor
went out campaigning in
a car with a megaphone
in the north east of
England. How has
she ended up as the
first citizen of Ealing?
Gracia Leo found out.
C
ouncillor Dr Patricia Walker took
the ceremonial chains in May
and is fully immersed in the
civic duties that are incumbent
with the role of mayor. This can range from
presiding over citizenship ceremonies and
granting Freedom of the Borough, to attending
a key Remembrance Day service and greeting
members of the royal family when visiting the
borough. She also chairs meetings of the full
council, when all 69 councillors meet in Ealing
Town Hall’s chamber.
48
around ealing
Autumn 2016
A POLITICAL JOURNEY
Originally from the north east, Patricia’s political
interests started at an early age through her
family’s involvement in local politics and she has
followed in the footsteps of her mother Alberta
Patricia Wallace, who was the mayor, and
alderman, of Gateshead.
Indeed, Patricia has been politically active all
her life and fondly recalls going out campaigning
as a toddler, and said: “I was active as a
child actually, when I was just two years old I
remember being in the back of the car and being