Column: My duties as mayor of Taunton in 2026 so far

During that time, my engagements were in the very safe hands of our wonderful deputy mayor, Cllr Bev Fernandes, who is anticipated to succeed me as mayor and will, I know, be outstanding in the role.

The Brewhouse was the setting for two uplifting engagements; the Wayfarers Pantomime Society’s production of Snow White, a stunning performance showcasing some truly talented young people, including Bishop Fox student Thomas Newman, who is now starring as Oliver! on the London stage.

The Brewhouse also hosted the Festival of Voices, an inspiring event in which we joined people with learning difficulties in a range of activities.

Largely organised by members of the group themselves, it was a glowing example of Somerset’s caring, inclusive community.

Taunton’s young talent shone again at a magnificent concert by Taunton Sinfonietta at the Castle Hotel.

Elliot Coles, an extraordinary 12-year-old trumpet player, captivated the audience with his skill and energy.

Elliot played the Last Post and Reveille for the British Legion at last year’s VJ Day 80 ceremony, has busked in the town, and is the winner of the Taunton Junior Young Musician (Trumpet) Award.

It was a joyful reminder of the wealth of talent thriving in Taunton.

The last week of January was a particularly emotional time for me, centred around Holocaust Memorial Day.

Since coming to Taunton in 2017, I have attended the service each year at St John’s Church, and in recent years I have had the honour of lighting a candle in memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.

This act is deeply personal for me, as my own aunt was killed at Auschwitz.

This year felt especially poignant.

My dear friend Leonard Daniels MBE, who has been closely involved in organising the commemoration for many years, was unable to attend due to ill health and difficult weather conditions.

Leonard lost his entire family in the Holocaust and went on to found the Somerset Anne Frank Awards; his absence was deeply felt, and it was very moving to reflect on his legacy during the service.

I was asked to say a few words, which proved to be unexpectedly cathartic.

The commemoration also marked an important first, with Somerset Freemasonry invited to light a candle.

It is not widely known that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed under the Nazi regime.

While the scale of Jewish loss is unparalleled, Holocaust Memorial Day rightly remembers the many other persecuted groups, including disabled people, LGBTQ+, Romani and gypsy communities.

As well as being Jewish, I’ve been a Freemason for more than 50 years, a role I’m immensely proud of, so this moment carried profound meaning for me.

The reflection and emotion of Holocaust Memorial Day carried through to the next, as I had the privilege of helping to bring to life a truly ground-breaking event I had been planning for some time.

With the invaluable support of Revd Prebendary Adrian Prior-Sankey MBE (mayor’s chaplain), and Andy Spragg (interfaith lead at The Sangha House), we organised a visit to Plymouth Synagogue, the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in the English-speaking world still in regular use, built between 1762 and 1764.

('Ashkenazi' refers to Jews from Central and Eastern Europe.)

The day offered a remarkable opportunity to connect history, faith, and community.

Our party brought together civic representatives, including the lord lieutenant of Somerset, the high sheriff, the chair of Somerset Council, the Mayor of Wells, and myself, alongside representatives from many faith communities.

In Plymouth, we were warmly welcomed by local counterparts, including the deputy lord lieutenant of Devon, the high sheriff of Devon, the lord mayor of Plymouth, and Devon interfaith representatives.

Jerry Sibley, the custodian of the synagogue, guided us on an in-depth tour, sharing both the rich history of Plymouth and the enduring significance of the synagogue itself, a tour long recognised by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award, placing it in the top 10 per cent worldwide.

I had the honour of giving the traditional Jewish priestly blessing, which was followed by a lively and informative group discussion and a couple of brief presentations.

The day concluded at the lord mayor of Plymouth’s official residence, formerly the home of Lady Astor, the first woman to sit in the English Parliament, where tea and animated conversation provided a fitting close to a day that celebrated both remembrance and interfaith understanding.

Celebrating young talent, reflecting on the past and deepening understanding across communities reminds us to cherish the present and build a future free from the mistakes of history.