Salisbury City Council has announced the election of Cllr Atiqul Hoque as the 762nd The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Salisbury.

The event, on Saturday May 13, was attended by more than 200 civic dignitaries including mayors from neighbouring towns and cities, who witnessed the handover of the mayoral chain from Cllr Tom Corbin to Cllr Hoque.

Cllr Hoque said: “The people of Salisbury have made history by choosing their first British Bangladeshi Muslim mayor which simply demonstrates how Salisbury has become more diverse and welcoming. I’m hopeful my mayorship will encourage others to come forward and engage with Salisbury City Council. 

“Salisbury has been through some tough times recently, from the Novichok incident to the pandemic, and now the time has come for us to put all of this behind us. I hope to promote what our beautiful medieval city has to offer; I will stand alongside businesses and help our high street flourish.”

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The mayor’s charity for 2023-2024 will be Salisbury and Wilton Rotary Clubs, Salisbury Hospice and Wilton RDA.

Donations to these charities can be made by contacting the Wilton Rotary Club or by BAC’s payment using reference Mayors Appeal. Rotary Club of Wilton Trust Fund reg charity no 1026117. NatWest Salisbury 54-41-19 Acc 47279303.

The mayor will be supported during his mayoral year by the mayoress, his wife, Farhana Hoque. 

The mayor’s chaplain will be The Very Revd, Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury.

The mayoral scout will be Arthur from 4th Harnham Scouts and the mayoral guide will be Jess from 1st Wilton Guides, with Ryan as the reserve mayoral scout. 

Deputy mayor for 2023–2024 is Cllr Sven Hocking.