Bideford Town Council have elected their Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2026 – 2027 term.
Councillor Peter Lawrence was re-elected to the office of Town Mayor at a meeting of the Town Council on 7 May 2026.
He will be supported by his wife Lynda, as Mayoress during his term of office.
Peter was born in Bideford. He went to Pynes, Westcroft and then the Grammar School in Bideford. He worked for most of his career for a family business in Barnstaple, in Accounts and IT, before going on to open his own shop in Market Place, Bideford. He has been a School Governor at Pynes Infant School, Westcroft School and Bideford College, as well as being involved in local radio. Councillor Lawrence has served as a Bideford Town Councillor for seven years.
The Mayor’s chosen charity for 2026-2027 is The RainBo Music Trust (Registered Charity No: 1175233), and the Mayor’s aim is to raise funds to promote musical activities in our town’s primary schools.
Peter Lawrence and Mrs Lynda Lawrence
Deputy Mayor for the Civic Year is Councillor Ken Hind.
Councillor Ken Hind has lived and worked in Bideford for many years and is a Town Councillor for Bideford North Ward.
Ken says “He is honoured to be chosen as Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year and sees his role as supporting Councillor Lawrence as much as is required during this time He is certain that Councillor Peter Lawrence will continue to be an outstanding Mayor as he represents the town”.
Mayoral News
The Mayor’s chosen charity for 2026-2027 is The RainBo Music Trust (Registered Charity No: 1175233).
All funds raised will go towards promoting music education in Bideford’s local primary schools: East the Water, St Mary’s and Westcroft. The schools will use the monies raised to promote musical activities, buy instruments, equipment or tuition, depending on the individual school’s needs. Your support can make a lasting impact on the children of Bideford.
Donations can be made via the special JustGiving Page or by scanning the QR code below:
Mayoral Engagements
Mayor Introduction Ceremonies
It was a pleasure to attend the Mayor Making ceremony at the Guildhall last week, followed by the reception at the historic Pannier Market in Barnstaple.
The evening provided an opportunity to thank the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Janet Coates, for her dedicated service to the town, and to warmly welcome the new Mayor of Barnstaple, Cllr Loki Dawson, together with the new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Julie Hunt.
On Wednesday 20 May, I was also pleased to attend the Mayor’s Introduction ceremony in Great Torrington, where Dave Parish was welcomed as Mayor and Bruce Ashley-Martin as Deputy Mayor. It was wonderful to see such strong civic spirit and community support across North Devon and Torridge.
On behalf of Bideford, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to all those taking on civic roles for the year ahead.
— Mayor of Bideford, Peter Lawrence
Bideford Mayor Embraces the Fun at the Northam Mayfair Maypole Dancing
Mayor of Bideford, Councillor Peter Lawrence, greatly enjoyed attending the Northam Mayfair celebrations on 2nd May, joining residents and visitors for a day that celebrated local tradition and community spirit. A particular highlight for the Mayor was taking part in the traditional Maypole dancing, embracing the occasion with enthusiasm and helping to support one of the area’s much-loved annual events. The celebration provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the day.
Civic Engagement and Fundraising Across Devon
The Mayor of Bideford, Peter Lawrence, accompanied by the Mayoress, Lynda Lawrence, were invited to attend a charity dinner hosted by Councillor Paul Vachon at Okehampton Golf Club on Friday 17 April 2026 in aid of the Dartmoor Rescue Group. The evening included dinner and live jazz music whilst offering a valuable opportunity for networking and partnership-building. On Sunday 19 April 2026, the Mayor and Mayoress attended the Civic Service of Councillor Mark Fay, Mayor of Ilfracombe, followed by a buffet lunch enjoyed in the sunshine, on the deck at the Ilfracombe Yacht Club.
Bideford & Landivisiau: 50 Years of Friendship
The mayor, Councillor Peter Lawrence attended the AGM of the Bideford Twinning Association on Saturday, 28th March 2026, where plans were discussed for the 50th-anniversary celebrations this August of Bideford’s twinning with Landivisiau.
Bideford has been twinned with Landivisiau in Brittany since 1976. Each year, members enjoy exchange visits in both towns, strengthening the long-standing friendship and cultural ties. The Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford will visit Landivisiau in May to launch the celebrations for this milestone year.
A Weekend of Sport, Music and Literature – 21 and 22 February 2026
What a wonderful weekend in Bideford! The Bideford Rugby Club annual President’s Lunch saw a packed clubhouse and a fantastic pre-match buzz, with plenty of good-natured rugby banter — especially the lively debate about how it was done “in our day”! It was a real joy to see so many people enjoying the camaraderie and shared love of the game.
Sunday brought something completely different but just as entertaining. The RainBo Music Trust youth event at Bideford’s The Palladium Club was full of energy and talent, with young performers lighting up the room and earning well-deserved applause. I then rounded off the day at The Fantastical Book Club at Bideford’ Tipsy Books, where great conversation, imagination and a shared passion for reading made for such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Weekends like this really do show Bideford at its very best.
St Peter’s Day Fair, Holsworthy – 9 July 2025
The Mayor and Mayoress were guests of Holsworthy Town Council at St Peter’s Fair on 9th July.
Bideford Water Festival – 20 July 2025
The Mayor and Mayoress attended the annual Bideford Water Festival, organised by Bideford Rotary, on Sunday 20 July 2025.
Bideford Fair – 02 August 2025
It was a busy weekend for the Mayor and Mayoress. Firstly, the Mayor’s Procession through the town and onto Victoria Park, where Bideford Fair was held during the day time.
The event was organised by South West Event Management Solutions CIC, in conjunction with Bideford Town Council. The Fair raised over £270 for the Mayor’s Charity, The Rainbo Music Trust.
Credit: Graham Hobbs
The evening, saw the Mayor at the Palladium Club in Bideford, judging the Stars in Their Eyes Competition. This event raised another £160 for the Mayor’s Charity.
Sunday, 03 August, the Mayor was in attendance at the Affinity Devon Outlet, taking part in the outlet’s 25th Birthday Celebrations.
Bideford Music Day – 16 August 2025 & Bideford Railway Heritage Centre Gala Day – 17 August 2025
The weekend of 16th and 17th August was another busy one for the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford.
Starting the week with an interview on Radio Devon about the forthcoming Jigsaw Event in October.
Saturday 16th August, saw the Mayor & Mayoress supporting their charity, The RainBo Music Trust by opening Bideford Music Day in Victoria Park.
On the Sunday morning, they both took part in the RainBo Music Trust Fun Run, and after a quick shower and change of clothes, it was off to the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre for their Gala Day, and a ride on a diesel loco train.
They also got to see the Devon Trading Steam Lorry, that has been touring the area.
image courtesy of Bideford Railway Heritage Centre
Visit to Landivisiau, France – August 2025
The Mayor and Mayoress enjoyed a weekend trip to Landivisiau at the end of August. They were invited to a Civic Reception, where gifts were exchanged as a recognition of the long standing relationship between the town of Bideford and Landivisiau.
2026 will see the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Twinning Charter here in the UK, and the following year it will be the 50th anniversary of the signing of the same charter in France. The weekend visit included a trip to a chateau, and the highest view point in Brittany, along with a celebration dinner courtesy of the Landivisiau hosts
Bideford Carnival – 13 September 2025
The Mayor and Mayoress were certainly ‘over the rainbow’ to be able to give their support to their Mayoral Charity, The RainBo Music Trust’s entry of “The Wizard of Oz” in Bideford Carnival on Saturday, September 13th.
And were thrilled to learn that the trust’s entry came first in their class!
Congratulations Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, Wicked Witch and all who took part in putting together the fabulous entry.
