Tewkesbury's new Mayor

9:48am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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TEWKESBURY Town Councillor Mrs Barbara Cromwell took over the chain of office as town Mayor before a Watson Hall packed with fellow councillors, other local dignitaries, family and friends on Monday night.

Proposing her for the position of mayor, Coun Ian King said: "She is one of Tewkesbury's elder statesmen, Tewkesbury through and through, I cannot think of anyone more suitable to be mayor.

She announced that her husband Alan will be her consort, and good friend Pearl Stokes her mayoress.

Rev Bill O'Leary will be her chaplain and her charities will be The National Flood Forum, The Lower Avon Navigational Trust, Tewkesbury Tigers, who lost much of their equipment in the floods, The Maritime Reserves and the Water Festival, which also lost a lot of equipment in the floods.

She is also giving £100 to each of the residents groups towards flowerbeds in their areas.

Coun Phillip Workman was elected deputy mayor.

The last duties performed by outgoing mayor, Ken Powell, were to hand over his charity money.

He raised £5,535, which was shared equally between Macmillan Nurses, the 1st Tewkesbury Boys Brigade, Sue Ryder Care and Tewkesbury Sea Cadets.

He also presented Town Community Awards jointly the Edna and Eddie Mills for their 28-year commitment to the local Beavers - Eddie agreed to run them on a temporary basis until a permanent leader could be found.

An award also went to Andrew Baldwin for his work with the Boys Brigade He has been with the brigade for 35 years.

He took over as captain in 2004 and since then has doubled membership from 24 to 48.

He is also president of the Gloucestershire Battalion of the Boys Brigade.