Memorial to former Peterborough councillor and ‘unique’ city mayor set to be unveiled

A special ceremony to unveil a memorial to former councillor and city mayor Charles Swift OBE is to be held tomorrow (Thursday June 27).

The poignant event will see the square adjacent to Sand Martin House re-named after Mr Swift and installed with a commemorative plaque.

Charles' widow Brenda Swift will unveil the plaque shortly after 1pm. Speeches from Peterborough Mayor Councillor Marco Cereste and members of Charles' family will follow.

Councillor Cereste said this was a fitting legacy for a man who spent so much of his life serving the people of Peterborough:

“I’m delighted that the incredible legacy of Charles Swift will live on in Peterborough with this special memorial,” he said.

“We have been thinking about ways of honouring Charles for some time and feel that this will serve as a fitting tribute for his unique achievements, which our council is proud to be associated with.”

Charles Swift – who passed away in August 2022 aged 92 – is thought to be the country’s longest-serving councillor.

Aged just 23, he was elected to the North Ward on 1 July 1954, becoming the youngest ever member of the city council.

Charles served residents there until he retired in 2016 following 62 years’ dedicated service.

During that time he led the Council and took on the role of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

In 1985 he was awarded an OBE for services to the public and received the Freedom of the City for Peterborough.