Farmer who once counted Ozzy Osbourne as a neighbour will become Stafford’s next mayor
A farmer who once counted legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne as a neighbour will be taking centre stage himself when he becomes Stafford’s next mayor.
Mark Winnington is set to be bestowed with the chain of office in May after being nominated for the honour at Tuesday’s Stafford Borough Council meeting (February 24).
He was first elected to Stafford Borough Council in 2003 and currently represents the Gnosall and Woodseaves ward. He was nominated to become Stafford Borough’s First Citizen by Councillor Roy James and the motion was seconded by Councillor Frances Beatty, who said he was “well worthy of it”.
Councillor Winnington said: “I think this is the first time in my life I have been described as worthy, but it is something I can aspire to over the next year. It is a great honour and I thank the (Conservative) group for having faith in me.
“I was born in Stafford and I went to Stafford Grammar School when it was at the centre and it was called Colditz. I look forward to representing you all and we have some exciting Mayor’s events to come to fruition.”
Councillor Winnington, who lives in the Ranton area, attended Gnosall Infants’ school as a youngster, which later became the village’s Grosvenor Centre. He said: “When I was growing up I had the influence of my father, who was chairman of the magistrates, and on the other side we had John Osbourne (who would become better known to the world as Ozzy Osbourne).
“We had some really fun times with him and his family. He taught us how to party.”
Councillor Winnington, who is also a member of Ranton Parish Council and a former county councillor, runs an arable farm and is committed to environmental practices and countryside stewardship, growing crops for green energy. His wife Rosie is chair of the ladies’ committee at Staffordshire County Show and they have four children.
The keen biker enjoys heavy rock and socialising when not in the council chamber. He is looking forward to promoting Stafford Borough as a place to live and work.
Former Stafford Borough Mayor Frank James was nominated as Deputy Mayor for the 2026/27 municipal year. He served as Mayor during 2024/25 – almost 40 years after his father Doug James donned the civic chain in 1987.
Councillor James, who was nominated as Deputy Mayor by council leader Aidan Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Ralph Cooke on Tuesday, said: “Thank you very much for bestowing this honour on me again. Hopefully I will be supporting Mark to have a successful year.”
Stafford’s Mayoralty dates back more than 400 years, to when Matthew Craddock was elected as the first Mayor in 1614. The borough is required to have a Mayor by law and they should remain apolitical during their civic year.
Stafford Borough Council is set to be abolished in 2028 as part of local government reorganisation plans. A public consultation is currently underway, seeking Stafford residents’ views on the potential creation of a new town council, and this move would enable the tradition of a Stafford Mayor and Deputy Mayor to be preserved.
