Last Thursday, 7 May 2026, Taunton Town Council held their fourth Annual Meeting of Council at Taunton Minster; the meeting was live-streamed and remains available to view on Taunton Town Council’s YouTube Channel.
There were 241 people in attendance, with moving performances from the Taunton Military Wives Choir (“1000 Years”, “Make Your Own Kind of Music” and “Stronger Together”), Eliot Coles (“Fanfare for the Common Man”), and the Bridgwater Sea Cadets (“Zebrugge”, “Dance of the Knights” and closing the evening with “Hearts of Oak”).
It was a memorable occasion marking the conclusion of a year of service by Councillor Martin Straus, Taunton Town Council’s third Mayor, and the installation of Councillor Bev Fernandes, his former Deputy, as the Mayor of Taunton for 2026/27.
A cheque for £2,400 was presented to Lisa Farley, representing Bold and Brave (part of Young Somerset), in her role as Head of Service for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Bold and Brave was the Mayor’s chosen charity for 2025/26. Funds were raised through a number of civic events, including Carols Around the Bandstand, the Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir Winter Song event, the recent Mayor’s Barbecue and notably, Major (retired) Ed Cullen contributed his £100 charitable donation, received as part of his Taunton Cup award, to the fund.
Councillor Straus said:
“Serving as Mayor of Taunton has been one of the greatest honours of my life. I have been continually inspired by the people and organisations that make our town so special. It has been wonderful to be able to support Bold and Brave to continue doing such wonderful and important work for young people.
I want to highlight the extraordinary young talent of Elliot Coles, whose performances as a trumpeter are gaining recognition right across Somerset. His contribution to this evening was exceptional and reflects a very bright future ahead for him.
I was also privileged during my mayoral year to present the inaugural Taunton Cup to Major (Retired) Ed Cullen, an incredibly proud moment that symbolised everything this initiative stands for; courage, resilience and community spirit. I extend my thanks to everyone involved in making that possible.”
During the meeting, the first-ever Mayor’s Cadets were appointed:
- Able Cadet Charlie Scott – Sea Cadet
- Cadet Molly Dixon – Sea Cadet
- Lance Corporal Bodhi Bull – Royal Marines Cadet
- Lance Corporal Esmé Morgan – Royal Marines Cadet
This initiative is particularly fitting as the new Mayor, Councillor Bev Fernandes, also serves as Taunton Town Council’s Armed Forces Champion. As Mayor’s Cadets, they will support and accompany the Mayor at civic events, represent young people across the town, host reciprocal visits between the Mayor and their cadet units, contribute to a reflective end-of-year report, help promote the Mayor’s chosen charity, and encourage future participation in the programme.
The new Mayor confirmed that Taunton Opportunity Group is her chosen charity for 2026/27. TOG is a long-established local preschool and registered charity supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities before statutory school age. It provides preschool sessions, a multi-sensory room for sessions and hire, and a weekly stay-and-play group.
Its charitable aims are to provide a safe and enriching group experience and play opportunities for the advancement of education for children with additional needs and other children under statutory school age.
Councillor Fernandes, the Mayor of Taunton said:
“It is a huge honour to be elected Mayor of Taunton and to continue serving our community in this new role and I would like to thank the outgoing Mayor Cllr Martin Straus for all of his hard work.
I am especially proud to introduce our first Mayor’s Cadets and I look forward to working closely with them throughout the year.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to the Taunton Military Wives Choir for their outstanding performances this evening, they brought real emotion and unity to the occasion and of course, not forgetting Bridgwater Sea Cadets, who, it is fair to say, raised the roof and really got everyone going!
I am absolutely delighted that Taunton Opportunity Group, will be my Mayoral charity for the year ahead. Their work supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities before school age is vital, and I am excited to work alongside them to help raise awareness and support for what they do.”
Councillor Fernandes’ Deputy Mayor for the year will be Councillor Rob Isaacs.
A further meeting of Full Council will take place on Tuesday 12 May in the Tone Room at Deane House to conduct routine Council business. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or watch live or later via the Council’s YouTube channel.
