Linda and family have resided in Wokingham since 1976. She was elected Councillor in 1999 and Mayor in May 2002. For her mayoral term she chose Dianne King as her Deputy-Mayor and her chosen charity was Westmead Day Centre in Rances Lane—a day centre for people with physical disability.
During the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Year Linda’s duties were numerous: May: she was present when Prince Andrew came to open the new community centre at Arborfield Garrison; June: she unveiled the Jubilee Plaque on the pavement at the entrance to Wokingham Town Hall and delivered the Jubilee Speech. She also planted the last plant in Wescott Infant School’s Jubilee garden; September: she opened the 47th annual exhibition of the Wokingham and District Arts Group in St. Paul’s Parish Rooms.
She also joined members of the Wokingham Town Twinning Association on a visit to Erftstadt where she gave a speech in German to re-affirm the Town’s commitment to the principles of Twinning. In October she joined the celebration of the 50th anniversary of St. Crispin’s School by planting a tree. Later that month she participated in the Guinness World Record Attempt for the most people drawing at any one time at the Arts Splash Extravaganza.
November saw a return visit from the Mayor of Erftstadt and members of their Twinning Association to celebrate 25 years of twinning. The visit coincided with the R.E.M.E. Parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Corps of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Linda participated in the Winter Carnival procession and, in December, switched on the town Christmas lights.
In that same month Linda also met H.R.H. the Duke of Kent when he opened the new extension at the Wokingham Community Hospital on the 2nd She also met their Royal Highnesses, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, on the 8th when they opened the Golden Jubilee Library at Luckley-Oakfield School.
Wokingham Town Museum Unique Identifier: WTH0173