THE new mayor of Bude, Bob Willingham, has described his appointment to the role as a ‘huge honour’.

Cllr Willingham was voted into the role for the first time by his fellow Bude-Stratton Town Council members at the latest full town council meeting on Thursday, May 3, beating Cllr Peter Kelly by seven votes to four.

Cllr Willingham, who moved to the North Cornwall coast in 2006 and joined the council six years later, says: “I love living in Bude, to become mayor is a huge honour.

“I’ve been really pleased with the response of my friends and people who know me and they’ve taken it in good humour.”

Despite that, Cllr Willingham admits that the next few weeks could be hectic but is excited to get started and has some ideas he’d like to introduce.

He said: “There are an awful lot of official things I need to learn but I enjoy walking around the town. I feel that I can improve the communications between the town council and the people of Bude.

“I’m approachable, if anyone has any concerns they can come and speak to me.

“I also have a few ideas in the pipeline, but like I said I’m learning the procedures at the moment.

“As the mayor you are the chair of the other councillors, but it doesn’t mean I can just do whatever I want, but communication is what I do well.”

Away from council matters, Cllr Willingham is chairman of Bude Pilot Gig Club and runs Studio Southwest Photography.

He said: “I moved here because of the surfing. The beaches here are phenomenal and I love to be out on the water whether it’s my own boat, with the gig club or surfing, it’s all the same!”

Cllr Willingham wants to hear from Bude’s public as he looks to move the town forward.

He emphasised: “I am certainly approachable and if anyone has any positive ways to improve the town, come and chat to me.”