Biography: The Lord Mayor of York
Councillor Margaret Wells is the Lord Mayor of York for the civic year of 2026 to 2027, and has prepared the following summary of her life and career to date.
I was born at home in York, during the F.A. Cup Final and have lived in our beautiful city all my life.
I was brought up in New Earswick and attended Mill Mount Grammar School. I left school and began my working life in a bank. It wasn’t until after I had children that I decided to go back to studying and in the 1990s I completed an Access course and went on to study Social Policy at the University of York.
After graduation I went to work for the Local Government Ombudsman’s Office and then for the local MP.
In 2015 I stood for election and have represented my ward of Clifton since then.
Between us, my husband and I have 5 lovely children and 6 wonderful grandchildren, who keep us on our toes, particularly at birthdays and Christmases.
I love history social, family and of course York, particularly aural history. It’s the stories I love and how history impacts on the decisions our ancestors made. I enjoy listening to the experiences and tales that many of our older citizens have and it really is a privilege to hear them.
In my free time I enjoy reading and knitting, a hobby I discovered relatively late in life. I am also a Rugby League fan and have followed the highs and lows of York’s fortunes for many years.
COVID impacted on all our lives. For me it meant my life would change forever because that was when I had my stroke, which has left me with a weakened left side and a few mobility issues. But it has also taught me that whatever your circumstances you really can have “your best life ever”.
In 2024 I was honoured and humbled to become Lord Mayor and I met so many unseen heroes of our city that work hard to make it the wonderful place we love. I am thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to continue the work again this year and to be able to celebrate our City and all its residents.
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