Apparently a gathering of mayors is called a Bench. Or a chain gang.

There were quite a few for this little party recently at Abbey House in Winchester.

Many were former councillors with Sue Gentry, (front row, sitting, left) having been the mayor in the 1986-87 municipal year when she was one of the youngest ever to hold the post that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Second in seniority was Pamela Peskett (front row, sitting, middle) who was mayor in 1990-91. Also sitting on the right is Cecily Sutton (2004-05).

Others are the gathering were former councillors Richard Izard (2010-11), Eileen Berry (2014-15), Therese Evans (2001-02), Dominic Hiscock (2009-10), Ernie Jeffs (2013-14) and Eleanor Bell (2019-20)

There were current city current councillors Frank Pearson (2012-13 and 2018-19), Jane Rutter (2016-17), and Patrick Cunningham (2020-21).

And of course the current Mayor Angela Clear (2015-16 and 2023-24) was there as she hosted the event.