The mayor

I am Christopher Bailey, your Mayor for the Civic year 2026-2027.  I first came to the area when I was about two years old, I attended Wolstanton Methodist Church, Ellison Street School, and then Watlands Secondary Modern School. On leaving school, I joined the Armed Forces and attended the Junior Trades Regiment at Kinmel Bay in North Wales as a boy soldier - going on to serve in Germany and Northern Ireland.

My family owned the fish and chip shop on Milehouse Lane, which meant I still had a strong connection to the area.

After leaving the forces, I returned to live in Fenton, then Kidsgrove, and finally returned to Wolstanton, which has always felt like home.  

I worked at the Michelin Tyre Company for 25 years and later worked for G4S as a back-of-house security guard for the DWP.

I obtained an Open Degree in Medieval History and Social Science from the Open University at the age of 60.

I have been married to my wife, Deborah, for 46 years. We have two sons and six grandchildren.

I later served as the Group Scout Leader at the Merryhill High School troop for a period, only leaving due to time constraints.

The reason I have chosen The Tri Servces Support Centre as a charity to support is that veterans in this country are a very forgotten population, often struggling to adapt to civilian life with all its complexity and hardships.  I have also chosen Bradwell Bombers because they are giving both boys and girls an ethos of friendship, respect, teamwork, and above all, respect for each other.

I have a great love for the borough. It is where I grew up, and it instilled in me a love of the countryside, the values of friendship, and a deep affection for where I came from.  Being able to stand as your Mayor now fills me with so much pride.