Portrait of first-ever Lord Mayor Jacqui Rayment unveiled
A historic moment was celebrated on Wednesday 18 September as Southampton City Council unveiled a portrait of the city’s 800th Mayor and first-ever Lord Mayor, Councillor Jacqui Rayment. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Civic Centre and brought together local residents, councillors, donors and community leaders.
The portrait was fully funded by a successful crowdfunding campaign led by the Bevois Mount History Group, a local group of residents interested in the past, present and future of Bevois Mount.
Councillor Rayment, who represents the Bevois ward, was appointed Lord Mayor in 2022 as part of the Queen Elizabeth the second's Platinum Jubliee Civic Honours competition (https://www.southampton.gov.uk/news/article/lord-mayor-status-awarded-to-southampton/). Southampton City Council’s bid demonstrated the city’s proud and distinct identity, welcoming and friendly character, the city’s passion and commitment to Mayoralty and the important role it plays in bringing people, and communities, together. Councillor Rayment held the position until the end of her term in May 2023.
Painted by local artist, Martin Davey, her portrait hangs alongside that of Lucia Foster Welch, the city's first female mayor, elected in 1927.
Councillor Jacqui Rayment said “I am honoured and humbled to be a small part of Southampton’s history. I’m grateful for the support of the community who raised funds to make this project come to fruition. For my portrait to be hanging alongside that of Lucy Foster-Welch means so much to me. A campaigner for women’s rights, Miss. Foster Welch was the first female Mayor of Southampton and for my portrait to be hanging next to her in the Civic Centre just highlights the progress made in society. I want to thank everyone involved in this project, not least Martin Davey, whose work is simply incredible. I hadn’t seen the portrait until the unveiling and was quite emotional when the curtain came down. I was taken aback at how much I look like my grandmother!”
The Lord Mayor of Southampton is a ceremonial position as the city’s First Citizen and represents Southampton at a local, national and global level.
The current Lord Mayor, Councillor Dave Shields, added: “Councillor Rayment has been an invaluable asset to Southampton City Council and her ward for many years. Her dedication, passion, and tireless work have made a significant impact on our city. It is an honour to attend this unveiling, a permanent reminder of her contributions and a poignant testament to her legacy."
