Lord Mayor's biography

Councillor Henry Gallagher

I was born in the Dwellings in Walker and brought up in Walker and Wallsend. 

An odd fact about me is that I have never lived more than three miles away from the house in which I was physically born! 

My dad worked at Swan Hunter shipyards and my mam was a barmaid. Neither was afraid of hard work and set a great example to me and my sister and brother. By the end of their working lives my dad was a college lecturer and my mam had managed a number of pubs, such as, the Wincomblee in Walker and Lord Clyde in Byker. 

After leaving school I had a few temporary and government scheme jobs before ending up working at the Ministry complex at Longbenton.  

I worked on large scale industrial laser printers and enveloping machines. Eventually I ended up as a mainframe operator. 

Upon leaving work I threw myself into politics taking on greater responsibilities such as Planning and Licensing Committees. As well as, of course, being able to spend more time around my council ward of Dene & South Gosforth with my colleagues Councillors Wendy Taylor and Karen Robinson. 

As a long time season ticket holder in the Leazes end at Newcastle United I have had family and friends “volunteer“ to use my ticket when Lord Mayor duties clash! 

I really enjoyed my year as Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor. I officiated at many events and met some lovely people.  

With my wife Deborah as my Lady Mayoress and our daughter Kate helping out from time to time, I’m really looking forward to my year as Lord Mayor.