New mayor speaks of long ties to Neath and a life in music
Cllr Alan Lockyer has been installed as the new Mayor of Neath Port Talbot following a ceremony at The Orangery, Margam Park, taking up the borough’s civic chain from outgoing Mayor Cllr Wayne Carpenter.
Born in Romsey, Hampshire, the new Mayor has lived in Neath since the age of five and said he considers himself very much part of the Welsh community. His appointment was marked by thanks to the departing Mayor and Mayoress, whom he described as friends as well as colleagues, and by a pledge to continue a programme of community engagement rooted in his long local connection.
Music has been a through-line in Cllr Lockyer’s life. He began on the French horn and went on to perform with youth orchestras, touring internationally to cities including Vienna, Oslo and Paris. Professionally, his background is in music education: he has worked as a teacher, lecturer, composer and examiner, and has been involved in developing courses, recording facilities and opportunities for young musicians.
- Founder of the Neath Youth Wind Band.
- Has contributed to significant music initiatives across Wales.
- Chooses Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) as the mayoral charity focus.
The Mayor and Mayoress have a large family locally — four children and eight grandchildren — and have chosen to support CHECT, which assists families affected by retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer typically affecting very young children.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Romsey, Hampshire |
| Residence in Neath | Since age 5 |
| Children | 4 |
| Grandchildren | 8 |
| Mayoral charity | Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) |
At the handover, Lockyer paid tribute to the Carpenters’ year of service to the county borough. The outgoing Mayor reflected on his own term, underlining how quickly the year had passed and how much he and the Mayoress had valued the role.
“As we get older, time seems to go faster. Well, when you’re Mayor time really does fly... This past year has been amazing. Mayoress, Carol and I consider it an incredible honour to have served the council and residents of Neath Port Talbot.”
For Neath and the surrounding communities of Neath Port Talbot, the mayoral year is largely ceremonial but important: it helps shine a light on local charities, supports civic events and provides a focal point for schools, voluntary groups and community associations to engage with the council.
Lockyer’s appointment will be watched with interest by residents with an interest in the area’s cultural life. His history of creating music teaching opportunities and setting up facilities means he is likely to bring a particular emphasis on supporting young musicians and sustaining arts provision in the borough.
Beyond arts and education, the choice of CHECT as the mayoral charity also signals an intention to raise awareness locally about a specialist health issue that affects families across the UK. Retinoblastoma is rare but can have profound consequences for affected children and their carers; the charity offers practical and emotional support as well as information on treatment and recovery.
As the new civic year begins, residents can expect the Mayor to attend a programme of community events, open days and charity fundraisers. The role will allow him to represent Neath Port Talbot at formal occasions and to promote initiatives supporting young people and cultural life — areas already prominent in his professional life and voluntary work.
For many in Neath, the passing of the chain from one locally rooted councillor to another underlines continuity: a shared commitment to public service, local culture and community support that links recent ceremonies to the neighbourhoods and organisations the Mayor will visit over the coming months.
The council will publish details of the Mayor’s engagements and fundraising plans in due course.
