Anne Glendinning has been appointed as the new Mayor or Carlisle.
Ms. Glendinning officially began her role last night (Wednesday 13 May) after being chosen by the Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle during their annual meeting. She replaces Jeanette Whalen who had been mayor for 2025/26.
Justin McDermott will serve as the deputy mayor this year.
Ms. Glendinning, whose son Mark will support her in the role as her consort, has decided to nominate Meningitis Now as her chosen charity in memory of her niece Sally. The charity aims to save lives and rebuild futures through research, awareness, and support.
The Mayor of Carlisle, Anne Glendinning, said: “It is a real honour to be the Mayor of Carlisle – a role and tradition which is very important to keep alive.
“The Charter Trustees exist to help protect the city’s history and heritage, things which are vital to the local economy, and I hope I can play a key role in that during my term as Mayor.
“Carlisle is a wonderful city with rich history and a bright future, so it’s a huge honour for me to play a small part in that as Mayor for this year.”
Ms Glendinning has been involved in local government for more than 40 years; is a current Cumberland councillor, representing Castle ward, and previously served on Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council. She also serves on the boards of charities, the Henry Lonsdale Trust and the Mary Hannah Almshouses.
History of the Mayor of Carlisle
The position of Mayor of Carlisle is believed to have been created in 1231, when the city was first officially granted independence to run itself. The special status of the city was reaffirmed in various ancient Charters including Edward III’s Charter of 1353 which ‘consolidated all the aforesaid liberties and quittances belonging to the said Citie they have had from time whereof memory is not’. Each year, the incoming Mayor swears an oath dating back to 1558 when Elizabeth I was crowned Queen by the Bishop of Carlisle.
Traditionally the Mayor was elected by "citizens of that city continually residing in the same" - that is, the Freemen. After 1835, councillors who have been elected to represent different wards of the city have chosen the mayor. Whereas in the past the mayor was executive leader of the Council, it is latterly an honorary position. Since the abolition of Carlisle City Council in 2023, the Mayor chairs the Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle, a body created by legal order to preserve the historic traditions of the city and maintain the ancient charters and regalia, including the City Sword (1509), City Mace (1685) and the Mayoral Chain and Insignia (1850).
The Charter Trustees
The Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle are a separate entity to Cumberland Council; however, the council does provide some administrative support, which is funded by the Charter Trustees. While they are a separate entity, the trustees are made up of 12 Cumberland councillors who represent wards in Carlisle. In this context, they are not referred to or acting as Cumberland councillors, but rather as 'trustees'.