THE 156th Mayor of Barnsley Councillor Liam Hardcastle says he’s just a ‘normal Barnsley lad’ and is hoping to bring the community together during his year in charge.
The mayor is the town’s first citizen and is honoured with the civic responsibility of representing and promoting the borough and our communities.
The role is not political and Coun Hardcastle was appointed as the mayor last month during the first council meeting since the election.
He will be supported in his current role by his partner, Natalie, who is the mayoress.
Born and bred in the town, Liam is hoping to show that those who work hard will be rewarded - and that anyone can have the opportunity to do what they wish if they put their mind to it.
He told the Chronicle: “I’m a Barnsley lad.
“I went to Wilthorpe Junior School and then attended Kingstone High School.
“I did various bits when I left school.
“I was going to be an apprentice farrier but I got into a motorbike accident when I was younger so I got into the building trade a bit.
“I did a few years as a building site manager and built some houses in Kendray.
“After the recessions I ended up going into security with a dog and that’s basically what I’ve done for the last 16 years.
“For me it’s having the opportunity to be one of those lads that came from nothing.
“I didn’t do particularly well with my GCSEs but I’ve had the opportunity to become mayor.
“I’m just a normal Barnsley lad and that’s the beauty about it all.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to be Barnsley’s number one citizen and I’m looking forward to carrying out the role.”
One of Coun Hardcastle’s main aims is to bring the community together.
“I think you don’t have to necessarily be blood related to be family,” he said.
“You find a lot of people in community call people family because they have a good connection.
“I just thought that’s the kind of thing I’d like to promote through my tenure as mayor.”
His two chosen charities are BIADS and Barnsley Hospital Charity and he admits he’s got some big shoes to fill when it comes to ex-mayor Dave Leech’s total of more than £30,000.
He said: “He did a lot of fundraising.
“I think the difference between me and Dave is that he’s retired and I’m still working.
“I’m a single parent - I still have work to carry out and look after my daughter.
“But I’ll still be there as much as I can in capacity as mayor.
“We’re just getting started.”
The first few weeks have been a baptism of fire for Liam, who has undergone a huge transformation in recent years having lost 18 stones.
And he’s certainly glad he has given the weight of the mayoral robes.
In his first meeting he helped to calm down a disgruntled public gallery and, after the decision was made to not fly the Pride flag at the town hall, he says he has faced some backlash.
He said: “I just asked a gentleman to be quiet up i the gallery because he was being disruptive.
“There was no malice in it but I’m there to control the meetings.
“I’ve not had the 12-month run-up to it and so I’ve been chucked in at the deep end a bit but I’ve taken it i my stride.
“I’ve got a top team here who are really helping me and are being supportive.
“I’ve got no issue with attending a Pride event.
“Obviously the flag issue has raised concerns in the LGBTQ community.
“I’m not a homophobe.
“I’m reading stuff online where people are saying I won’t attend the event - if you invite me I’ll turn up.”
Another of Liam’s main aims is to try and cut costs wherever he can.
He has opted to not have the mayor’s car pick him up from his home.
He added: “As the mayor you’re entitled to receive a car to pick you up from home and take you into the town hall.
“What I’ve said is that I don’t want to be a burden to the tax payer.
“I can’t justify using petrol to pick me up from home to fetch me in and then take me home afterwards.
“So I’ve said I’m going to use my car and I do know that past mayors have done the same, but I intend to carry that on and cut as much cost as I can and not be a burden on public purse.”
