FRANK Foster – a former mayor of Wincanton – has passed away aged 85.

Mr Foster became a well-known member of the Wincanton community after moving to the town in 1994 from Essex, where he had a successful career with the Ford motor company.

In 1996, he was co-opted to the town council, becoming vice chair and in 2000, mayor, a role he filled until 2003.

During his time, Mr Foster oversaw the twinning of Wincanton with the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork, from the Discworld novels by fantasy author, Terry Pratchett, who he stood alongside at the official unveiling of the move in December 2002.

Frank Foster, left, with terry Pratchett, right, at the twinning of Wincanton with Makh-Morpork. Picture: Foster family

He was also part of creating Wincanton’s Town Plan, and in 2001 joined football legend Trevor Brooking at the opening of the new sports centre at King Arthur’s Community School.

Mr Foster was also mayor during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, and organised the Jubilee Ball, where a car was among prizes given away in a raffle raising money for the mayor’s charity, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

When he stepped down as mayor in 2003, Mr Foster was honoured with the title of Governor General of Ankh-Morpork, but remained a popular member of the community, running a picture framing business from a small premises in the town.

In 2015, he and wife Hendrika moved to Winchester in order to be closer to their daughter, and passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, after a long illness.

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Frank Foster was mayor of Wincanton for three years. Picture: Foster family