‘Out of many, we can be one Bristol’

Cleo Lake is starting her year as lord mayor of Bristol as she means to go on – by dancing in City Hall.

The faint sound of drums could be heard across College Green, hinting at the celebratory atmosphere within, as members of the public turned out in droves to witness her inauguration on Tuesday.

In a speech punctuated with laughter, theatrical prose and poignant memories, Lake – a dance instructor, environmental campaigner and Green councillor for Cotham, with African-Caribbean and Scottish heritage – took up her position as Bristol’s First Citizen.

A ceremonial role it may be, but the many people packed into the council chamber’s public gallery left no doubt that Lake’s inauguration marked a momentous occasion, as the new lord mayor pledged to act as a bridge between different communities and people from all backgrounds across Bristol.

Cheers in the public gallery at the inauguration of Cleo Lake as lord mayor

Moving the motion to elect the lord mayor, Paula O’Rourke, Green councillor for Clifton, said: “The lord mayor’s bench has not had anybody quite like Cleo Lake before, so it is with great pleasure that I ask you to vote her into the role and let the journey begin.”

Seconding this, Carla Denyer, Green councillor for Clifton Down, noted that Lake, elected in May 2016, has been a councillor for a relatively short amount of time.

She continued: “The Green Party have a tendency to buck tradition, and in lord mayors we are no different. This year, as Cleo takes the dais in Bristol, our colleague, Green councillor Magid Magid simultaneously takes the dais in Sheffield.

“There will be two young Green people of colour as the ‘first citizens’ of two progressive UK cities. I can’t wait.”

The arrival of the incoming lord mayor was heralded by loud cheers and whistles as previous lord mayor Lesley Alexander handed over the ceremonial staff and chain.

Standing to address the chamber for the first time in her new official capacity, Lake thanked community elders, the mayor, councillors, friends, family and teachers, as well as the outgoing lord mayor.

Calling the role “a huge privilege and responsibility”, Lake talked of the importance of education in helping to shape the future and also reminisced on her childhood, showing the chamber a nursery photo of her and classmates in paper chains – the first time she heard of the position of lord mayor which she now holds.

https://twitter.com/CleoDanceBaton/status/998859734844366848

“I grew up in Easton and enjoyed great community support,” said Lake. “From sharing food with neighbours, to hearing reggae music played across the street at all hours on a Saturday night.

“That was my street, that’s where I grew and that’s what I learnt. I cannot say that I would have made it here today if I had not grown up there.

“It’s testament to the distance travelled that I’m here as we celebrate 50 years of St Paul’s Carnival and 70 years of the Windrush. I’m so proud of my city, the city where I was born.”

Lake claims to be only the tenth woman to have held the role of lord mayor of Bristol since the tradition began more than 800 years ago.

She is certainly ready to shake things up, as she pledged to connect in a meaningful with communities across the city, particularly in more deprived areas of south Bristol, but also to bring some fun into the often serious and acrimonious council chamber, which it is the job of lord mayor to control during full council meetings.

Lesley Alexander hands over to Cleo Lake. Photo by @JonCraig_Photos – 07778 606070

Asking veteran Conservative councillor and three-time lord mayor Peter Abraham how his cha-cha-cha is, Lake outlined a vision of a “mosh pit of politicians”.

Finishing her speech to rapturous applause, she concluded: “I honestly believe that Bristol can be a beacon and lead the way in how we can co-exist together and be part of a collective narrative.

“Out of many, we can be one Bristol. Now, we can start as I mean to go on – by dancing in City Hall.”

As tradition dictates, Alexander was elected into the position of deputy lord mayor and gave her own speech thanking people across the city and outlining some of the things she achieved in a year, where her key focus was on combating isolation among elderly people.

The position of lord mayor in Bristol dates back to 1899 and it is a ceremonial, non-political role with no direct power, which is now rotated between the party groups each year.

Main photo of Cleo Lake by @JonCraig_Photos – 07778 606070

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