MAYORS, dignitaries and members of the public gathered in the Holsworthy Memorial Hall on Wednesday, May 2, to see the investiture of this year’s mayor and deputy mayor, writes Zoë Uglow.

During the evening the town council’s ‘Community Champions’ were announced as well as the Freeman of Holsworthy, the mayor’s cadet and the town council’s new chaplain, along with grant presentations to several local organisations.

The night began with a speech from the retiring mayor, Cllr Jon Hutchings, who thanked the council for their support during the last year. He said he was proud to have seen; a number of new shops open up in the town, the completion of the council’s largest project the sports pavilion in Stanhope Park and when he thought things couldn’t get better the announcement that work has started to re-open Holsworthy Community Hospital’s inpatient beds.

He then presented £516 to each of his three chosen charities for the year 2017/18. They were Holsworthy Cricket Club, Holsworthy Youth Football Club and the 1st Holsworthy Scout group.

Dave Gerry, from Holsworthy Cricket Club, said: “I want to thank Jon and the town council on behalf of the youth and main sections of the cricket club. I’ve been involved for 25 years and at the moment I would say we are in our strongest state.

“I’m sure this money will be go towards equipment and covers as we continue to grow.”

Adam Chidley, from the Youth Football Club, said: “Thank you to the town council for what you have done over the last three years for us. I think the children are a credit to the town and this money will go towards equipment so we can continue to provide youth football in the town.”

Malcolm Withall, a volunteer for the 1st Holsworthy Scouts, said: “As you may be aware we are trying to raise money to buy a field for the Scouts. We have a hut of our own but we want somewhere we will be able to go in good weather, or even bad, to put up tents and makes fires and everything else the Scouts do. This money will go towards this. Thank you.”

Next on the agenda was the mayor and deputy mayor choosing. Both Cllr Jon Hutchings and Cllr Colin Punter were nominated and appointed to continue in their current roles as mayor and deputy mayor respectively for 2018/19. Cllr Hutchings said: “Thank you councillors for instilling your confidence in us again. When I joined the Navy they give you six months, I ended up staying for twelve years — I didn’t expect to make it six months as mayor so I am pleased you all still believe in me.”

After the signing of the declarations of office Cllr Hutchings added: “Well that was a lot easier than last year.”

Next was the presentation of the civic honour of Freeman of Holsworthy, which is awarded to the person who has made a difference to the lives of Holsworthy residents. The recipient is nominated by the public.

The award was given to Fred Prouse for his work with the town’s AFC (Association Football Club). Mr Prouse over the years has received many accolades for his work with the local football club and was even presented with the ‘outstanding achievement’ award from the FA (Football Association). Speaking about his latest award, Mr Prouse said: “Thank you, I feel so unbelievably humble to be picking this up. I am honored and thank everyone who nominated me, thank you ever so much!”

This year six Community Champions were chosen by the town council. These awards were introduced last year as a way of thanking those who put extra effort into supporting the town.

The recipients were: Pauline Masters — for her work as scouting leader of the Beavers and now as group Scout leader; Andrew Painter — who is a volunteer co-responder in the town and without his first aid support many of the local events that take place wouldn’t be able to occur; David Vaughan — who has worked for many years as St Peter’s Fair treasurer and has ensured certain aspects of the fair that might have been lost continue; Sandra Willetts — she had worked for many groups over the years but is possibly most well known for her work in the Tourist Information Centre, if there is information that needs knowing she will find it; PFCSO Mark James — although PFCSO James will say he is ‘just doing his job’ the council felt he goes above and beyond the line of duty; Tim Stokes — he has been involved with supporting the youth of the town for many years and provides a safe place for up to 70 children each week at the youth centre.

Next on the agenda was the appointment of the mayor’s chaplain for 2018/19. Mother Elizabeth Burke, priest-in-charge of the Holsworthy benefice, was pleased to take up the role.

She said: “It is a great privilege to be the town council’s dedicated chaplain. I am here to be a support to the town council in both times of trouble and joy.”

The investiture of the mayor’s cadet then saw Cpl Tilly Daniels step down after a successful year and hand the baton to LCpl Harry Fackrell.

Grant presentations were then made for 2018/19. In total £2,000 was presented to local groups. They were: Holsworthy Pre-school, £250; Holsworthy Walk and Talk, £100; Holsworthy Scout and Guide Hall, £250; Friends of Holsworthy Pre-school, £250; Carewise, £250; Friends of Holsworthy Library, £250; Holsworthy Macular Society, £100; Holsworthy Memorial Hall, £250; Holsworthy Museum, £250; Holsworthy Day Companions, £50.

The town council were also pleased to have been able to budget five additional grants: Holsworthy Youth Centre received £500; St Peter’s Fair Committee, £1,000; Holsworthy Rural Community Transport, £500; Holsworthy Carnival, £200; Holsworthy Museum’s Peter Bakel Archive, £200.

Rounding off the evening, Cllr Hutchings announced his chosen charity for the upcoming year. He said that the opening of the Coles Mill Viaduct is a fund that he would like to start, with the help of Devon County Council and external grants. He added: “If we can get the hospital beds re-opened then why not a viaduct.”

Finally details of the council’s plans for a town wide project were read out. ‘Holsworthy World War One 100 years — to the Memory of the Fallen and the Future of the Living’, will incorporate several elements including a ‘WWI Memorial Tree Trail’, an exhibition at the museum and a town wide effort to cover Holsworthy in poppies.

Cllr Hutchings expressed his thanks to those who attended, to the town council for their support and to his wife Tam, who has supported him throughout 20 years of marriage — despite all the meetings he attends.

The meeting was adjourned to the following week.