Leeds had 240 Mayors until 1897 when, in her Jubilee Year, Queen Victoria declared that the mayor - or 'First Citizen' - should be called ‘Lord Mayor of Leeds’. Leeds was given city status in 1893.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds 2008 - 2009
Councillor Frank Robinson
Councillor Frank Robinson and family have resided in Pudsey for 50 years and have a son and daughter; Russell and Fiona who attended Pudsey schools. They have 2 grandchildren Jonathan and Lauren.
Councillor Robinson represents Calverley and Farsley Ward on Leeds City Council and has given long service to the Pudsey Constituency Association.
In 2001-02 he and his wife served as Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress of Leeds.
His secondary education was at the Crossley and Porter School in Halifax and after two periods at Loughborough College split by War Service as a ‘Bevin Boy’ he entered teaching in Bradford becoming Head of Physical Education at a large Secondary School later moving to Fairfax Community School as Head of Lower School.
During his teaching career he was a President of Bradford NUT Association and Bradford Schools’ Sports Federation and currently chairs Bradford Retired Teachers’ Association.
Early retirement presented a chance to move to pastures new and with the Keep Britain Tidy Group he became the Community Manager for the Yorkshire Region.
This interest and work in the environment fostered a consuming involvement in the Yorkshire in Bloom Competition of which he is a long standing judge and past Chairman.
Many organisations have appreciated his floral presentations.
Awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 for his encouragement of sporting and outdoor activities in Schools and the Youth Service particularly with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
In 1988, Keep Britain Tidy Group recognised his years of work in the Community Programme by awarding a Special Mention Certificate with the Queen Mother’s birthday awards.
Councillor Robinson gained a similar Award in 2000, from Keep Britain Tidy Group. This time under the heading of Green Excellence in the Region.
The citation said “Frank was a long standing Judge for Yorkshire in Bloom where his knowledge of horticulture and dedication to civic improvement in the region have been an inspiration”.
In supporting floral beauty amongst all Communities, Councillor Robinson’s enthusiasm is reflected in the awards of Gold and Silver Gilt that have been achieved in the Yorkshire and Britain in Bloom Competitions by Leeds.
He also strongly supports the brilliant work done by the “in Bloom” groups within the Leeds boundary and the many competitions organised by the Leeds Floral Initiative involving businesses, schools and gardens in the Community.
In his own Ward he chairs Calverley in Bloom and supports the Millennium Way and Pudsey Link as well as Friends of Woodhall Lake.
In other aspects of Community involvement Councillor Robinson is currently Chairman and founder of Pudsey and West Leeds Central Committee of Neighbourhood Watches and continues to support local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
He has enjoyed a long and varied sporting career including lesser known interests such as fencing, skiing, high level walking, and a range of outdoor activities.
More dominant over many years has been rugby with the Old Crossleyans Club winning two Yorkshire Shield medals whilst in summer cricket took pride of place, first with Salts CC in the Bradford League and later in the Halifax League where he had spells as Captain and Secretary of Old Crossleyans CC.
Until recently he enjoyed squash and won two veteran competitions and is now President of the Old Crossleyans Squash Club.
Frank is very proud of his garden and enjoys working in it when time permits.
With this wealth of social, sporting and environmental interests Councillor Robinson is looking forward to an exciting year.
Mrs Sheila Robinson
Mrs Sheila Robinson (nee Kirkpatrick) has lived in Pudsey since childhood and met her husband when he was a “Bevin Boy” during the war.
Part of their celebrations when they were Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress in 2001 was their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Sheila’s interests after her family are Townswomen’s Guild, Church, Flower arranging, reading, TV and gardening.
Councillor Frank Robinson and his wife are anticipating a busy and satisfying year of office.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds 2008 - 2009 -
Councillor Gerald Wilkinson
Councillor Gerald Wilkinson has lived in Wetherby for 32 years, and now lives in Harewood with his partner, Pat.
He represents Wetherby Ward on Leeds City Council.
Born and educated in Bradford, Councillor Wilkinson served his National Service 1952-1954. He married Rita in 1955, who died of cancer in 2004. Whilst in the RAF he became a football referee for the RAF North East League, progressing to the Central League, and later the Football Combination, where he officiated on the grounds of such teams as Manchester United, Newcastle, Leeds, Arsenal and Chelsea. His highlight in local football was being selected to referee the 1964/5 West Riding County Challenge Cup Final.
He then pursued a career in the textile trade, moving around the country, eventually settling in Wetherby with his wife, son and daughter. With his knowledge of the textile trade, he and his wife decided to open a soft furnishing shop in Wetherby, which they ran successfully for 12 years.
Councillor Wilkinson joined Wetherby Town Council in 1991. He became Town Mayor from 1997 – 2000. He joined Leeds City Council in 1999 and now chairs the Leeds North East (outer) Area Committee; Board Member of Leeds East North East Homes; West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority; Leisure and Culture Scrutiny Board Member and Member of the Licensing Committee.
He takes a great interest in cricket, having played in several local teams, including Wetherby. He now plays golf and is a member of Scarcroft Golf Club where he plays as often as is possible. It was through golf that he met Pat.
Mrs Pat Small
Mrs Pat Small was born and educated in Leeds. After attending Commercial College she became a secretary. In 1961 she became an air hostess with TWA Airlines, trained in Kansas City, and was then based in New York.
Pat has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
She opened dress agencies in Horsforth, Boston Spa and Moortown.
Pat is now retired and enjoys being with the family.
She has been involved with many charities, including Mind, NSPCC and is, at present, hoping to help the Hope Trust.
Her interests are golf, bridge and entertaining friends.
Title and mode of address
The Lord Mayor’s full and proper title is "The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of the City of Leeds" but it is correct and quite usual to use the short title "The Lord Mayor of Leeds". The proper description for the purpose of printed matter is either:-
"The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leeds, (Councillor xxxx)" or
"The Lord Mayor of Leeds, (Councillor xxxx)"
and when the Lady Mayoress is present:-
"The Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Lady Mayoress (xxxx and the Lady Mayoress)"
The correct mode of address is:-
"My Lord Mayor" and he is referred to as "The Lord Mayor".
The Deputy Lord Mayor should be addressed as “My Deputy Lord Mayor” and should be referred to as “The Deputy Lord Mayor”.
The Deputy Lord Mayor is normally accompanied by an Officer from the Lord Mayor’s Office from whom advice on matters of protocol may be sought.