Ian Neale appointed Townwarden for 2026–2027

We are delighted to announce that Ian Anthony Neale has been appointed Townwarden of Melton Mowbray Town Estate for 2026–2027.

A purely ceremonial role

The office of Townwarden is one of the oldest in our town. When the Town Estate was founded in 1549, the Townwardens managed the entire Estate. Today the role is purely ceremonial. The Estate is governed by a board of resident trustees, known as Feoffees, under a Charity Commission Scheme of Arrangement, and our Town Bailiff runs the day-to-day work of the markets, parks and sports facilities.

The Townwarden is appointed from among the Feoffees and represents the Town Estate at ceremonial occasions, much as a Mayor does for a council. Wearing the traditional chains of office, the Townwarden attends Royal and other significant events, funerals and official visits. The Townwarden also takes part in the Annual Mayor Making and lays a wreath on behalf of the Estate on Remembrance Day. The Townwarden also fronts some of our own events. Ian’s first big moment in the role will be lighting the bonfire at our Fireworks on 4 November.

A lifelong connection to Melton

Ian was born in Battle, Sussex. His family moved to Melton Mowbray in 1947, and he went to Brownlow School and King Edward VII Grammar School. After leaving school, he joined a local building company and studied at Leicester Polytechnic, qualifying as a technical member of the Chartered Institute of Building. He later became Regional Estimator for a national building company that specialised in repairing and improving system-built social housing.

Ian has served as a Feoffee for the last 15 years. He is married to Dina, a former Head of Mathematics at King Edward VII School, and they have a married daughter and one grandson.

Church, Town and community

Ian has been involved with St Mary’s Church since his teens. In the 1980s, he was its youngest churchwarden; he held the role again in the 2000s, and now serves as Senior Churchwarden. He follows a long tradition. The Church and the Town Estate have been closely linked since 1549, and many churchwardens have gone on to serve as Townwarden, most recently Gilbert King in the 1980s.

In recognition of his church work, Ian was made a Canon of Leicester Cathedral, and in 2026 he was honoured by the High Sheriff of Leicestershire. He project-managed the refurbishment of Launde Abbey and the re-ordering of St Mary’s Church in 2017. As a member of Melton Mowbray Rotary Club and Chairman of the Sir Richard Raynes Charity, he has worked to help the less fortunate in our community.

Graham Bett, Chair of Melton Mowbray Town Estate, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Ian as Townwarden. The role is ceremonial, but it matters a great deal. The Townwarden is the face of the Town Estate at the moments that bring Melton together, from Remembrance Sunday to our Bonfire Night. Ian has given 15 years of dedicated service as a Feoffee, and he has always believed that the Town Estate, our councils and the Church should work together for the good of the town. We know he will represent us with warmth and distinction.”

Please join us in congratulating Ian. Come and see him light the bonfire at our Fireworks on 4 November!