Bournemouth Charter Trustees have voted to overturn a previous decision and accept Councillor George Farquhar’s mayoral portrait for display.
The trustees, who manage Bournemouth’s civic, historic and ceremonial traditions separately from BCP Council, agreed at their latest meeting to reconsider a policy first set in October 2022 that prevented any new portraits being added to the Mayor’s Parlour.
Councillor Farquhar, who served as charter mayor in 2025, offered his portrait to the people of Bournemouth and asked that it be hung in the parlour. A civic working group recommended that the trustees accept the gift and review the earlier restriction.
During the debate, trustees discussed whether to retain the current portrait of Bournemouth founder Captain Louis Tregonwell or to make changes that allow new works to be displayed. Some members felt it was important to preserve the room’s historic setting, while others supported a more modern and visible approach to celebrating civic history.
Councillor Connolly suggested adding an amendment so that any new display would ensure public visibility of all portraits. The trustees unanimously accepted Councillor Farquhar’s portrait, while a further vote on the amended recommendation was carried by seventeen votes to ten, with two abstentions.
The Civic Working Group will now look at suitable locations and costs for displaying the portraits, which could include the Mayor’s Parlour or an alternative public venue such as the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.
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