HOLSWORTHY has a new mayor, writes Christine Williams.

At the well-attended annual meeting of Holsworthy Town Council in the Memorial Hall last Wednesday evening, May 15, in the presence of visiting mayors, Cllr Joanne Heaven was unanimously elected to succeed Cllr Jon Hutchings who has been mayor for the past three years.

After signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office she said it was ‘a great honour’ to be elected mayor.

Jo has been a town councillor for four years and is proud to be the daughter of Barry Megson who was mayor of Holsworthy 30 years ago.

She was, as she puts it, “born in Sheffield and bred in Pyworthy” but she has lived in Holsworthy for many years.

“We are lucky to live in such a gorgeous place”, she says, but as mayor one of her main ambitions is to give to the town a little ‘TLC’.

She thanked Cllr Hutchings for his work over the three years and his wife Tammy was presented with a bouquet in appreciation of the support she had given her husband. Cllr Helen Parker was also elected as deputy mayor.

In a review of the past year, retiring mayor Cllr Hutchings had highlighted the various events which had taken place in the town to commemorate the centenary of the end of WWI with 41 trees planted in the park. Funds were being raised for his chosen charity, to reopen Coles Mill Viaduct.

Sadly two councillors, Torridge District councillor Ken Carroll and deputy mayor Colin Punter had passed away during the past year.

The Wednesday market was important to the town, he said, and efforts were being made to encourage new traders and to have charging points for electric cars installed. He thanked the town clerk Vanessa Saunders, her assistant Kerry Wilcox, mayor’s cadet, LCpl Harry Fackrell and all the councillors and members of the public for the support they had given him. He had been proud to represent Holsworthy and enjoyed it.

One of the first duties of the new mayor was to present the Freeman of Holsworthy cup 2019/2020 which is awarded annually to someone who has made a big difference to the lives of Holsworthy residents.

This year it was awarded to Geoffrey Cusick. As vice-chairman of the Holsworthy Community Involvement Group he has worked tirelessly with the NHS and others to ensure the people of the town and surrounding area live healthier and happier lives.

Next on the agenda was the awarding of certificates to Community Champions 2019/2020 for their contribution and outstanding help within the community; to Mary Osbourne for her involvement in many organisations including Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS), Rotary and St Peter’s Fair, Jackie Allen for supporting the Youth Club and Men’s Shed, Rodney Mitchell for giving time and practical help especially for WWI planting in Stanhope Park, Tom Langdon for his commitment to the Youth Centre, Lee Casey for giving time and practical help especially for the WWI event and Christmas lights switch-on and Martin Gainsbury for his contribution to the Men’s Shed and Youth Club.

Then ten past Holsworthy mayors were presented with badges; Mrs Betty Wonnacott, Mr Barry Megson, Mr Arthur Stewart, Mr Allen Jones, Mrs Elizabeth Squire, Mrs Pauline Ede, Mrs Ann Luxton, Mr John Allen, Mr Richard Brown and Mr Jon Hutchings.

Mother Elizabeth Burke, priest-in-charge of the Holsworthy benefice, was unable to attend but was reappointed as mayor’s chaplain for 2019/20 and Cpl Timothy Cottier was invested as mayor’s cadet for 2019/2020.

A number of grants were also presented,

Mayor Cllr Heaven announced that her chosen charity for the coming year would be Holsworthy Youth Centre, then, having expressed her thanks to all who had attended, she invited them to refreshments in the Manor Suite.

The meeting was adjourned until the following Wednesday, May 22, at 7pm.