“Proud as punch!” New Mayor of Lincoln a Pink Floyd-loving rock fan who will raise cash for cancer charity following partner’s diagnosis

A Pink Floyd-loving rock fan has been appointed as the 819th Mayor of Lincoln.

Coun Alan Briggs (Conservative) has vowed to support the local Macmillan charity, a cause very close to his heart.

The representative for Birchwood ward donned the mayoral robes for the first time during the council’s AGM on Tuesday, with fellow Tory councillor Bill Mara appointed as his deputy and Brian Harding as the City Sheriff.

Last year, Labour’s Coun Biff Bean assumed the mayoral position, describing it as “an immense privilege.”

After the proceedings, Coun Briggs said he was “proud as punch” to be elected as mayor and said he will focusing heavily on contributing to Macmillan Lincoln following his partner Wendy Mager’s cancer diagnosis.

He said: “It’s an amazing honour and such an amazing, historic moment for our city.

“My main emphasis is my charity which is going to be Macmillan Lincoln because that is very close to my heart because my partner has suffered with cancer recently and they have been absolutely amazing.”

He continued by stating he wanted to follow in Councillor Bean’s shoes and commit to all opportunities where possible, all while continuing with his council work in Birchwood, which is also very close to his heart.

Alan, who was born in Lincoln in 1949, attended Sir Robert Pattinson School in North Hykeham before leaving at the age of 13.

At 16, he joined the Navy, and by the time he was 21, he had travelled the world at least six times.

He was later elected to the City of Lincoln Council in 2018, and subsequently re-elected in 2022.

In our round of light-hearted questions, he also named Notting Hill as his favourite film, Pink Floyd as his favourite band, and although he said it’s “very rare” that he orders a takeaway, his favourite choice would be a sweet and sour king prawn dish.

Conservative Party leader Tom Dyer nominated Coun Briggs for the role, highlighting his significant contributions within the local Tory group.

He described Briggs as “dependable” and noted his commitment to carrying out his councillor duties with the utmost integrity.

Coun Hilton Spratt (Conservative) seconded the proposal with “great pleasure.”

He added: “I wish Alan and his consort Wendy a fantastic year. I know they will be an absolute credit to the city.”

Meanwhile, Coun Rachel Storer (Conservative) proposed Brian Harding as the city Sheriff, describing him as a “dedicated family man.”

After handing over the mantle of mayor, Coun Bean took the opportunity to thank those who supported him over the past year.

He also reminisced about a time when he walked into a school wearing the mayoral robes, and when a teacher asked a class who they thought he might have been, a young boy mistook him for Prince Charles.

The Tory councillor added: “Lincoln is a special place and we should all be proud to call it home.”