Chains of office are formally handed over

TIVERTON’S new mayor, who grew up in Bletchley, says there is no mystery to successfully fulfilling the role – he just wants to do his best for the town.

Cllr Neal Davey was handed the chains of office by retiring mayor Lester Crocker at a ceremony held in the council chamber yesterday.

Although he was born in Buckinghamshire, Cllr Davey has lived in Tiverton with his wife Libby for the last 12 years and had been on the town council for the last four of those years.

Cllr Davey is a district as well as a town councillor, and away from local government enjoys walking, cricket and the theatre.

In his acceptance speech, Cllr Davey said he hoped to continue some of the good work carried out by his predecessor: “I hope to develop the good relationship we have built up with local schools and also support local businesses and traders in the coming 12 months.”

Cllr Dennis Knowles, who proposed Cllr Davey as mayor, said: “It was four years ago I first met Neal and since then I have worked with him on a number of committees.

“He was born in Newton Pagnell and brought up in Bletchley, best known for Bletchley Park where Britain’s war-time code-breakers were based. Bletchley is part of Milton Keynes – one of our newest towns – and I am sure as such Neal will bring new ideas to the office of mayor.”

The nomination was seconded by Cllr Janet Rendle, after Cllr Knowles had described the incoming mayor as a “good all-rounder” who was an “asset to our community”.

Following the recent local government elections, some councillors had stood down or not been re-elected and Cllr Davey paid tribute to their efforts, as well as thanking those councillors who had put their faith in him. Cllr Tom Lindus was appointed by his fellow councillors as deputy mayor, a role which Cllr Davey occupied in the last year.

Cllr Davey chose the Rev Robert Gordon as his mayor’s chaplain, and Flight Sgt Lewis Johnson from Tiverton Air Cadet squadron as his mayor’s cadet.

He will be supported in the role by the team of beadle John Smith, mace bearers Sue Pearce and Alan Burnett.

To help the mayor get across his message, he will also be assisted at special occasions by town crier Frank Housam.

The mayor also chose to continue the tradition started last year by Mayor Lester Crocker of establishing a community fund as opposed to selecting an individual charity of the year.

Cllr Davey said he hoped to be able to gift a number of small sums which would “make a real difference to groups and organisations.”

Children from Blundell’s School and Prep, Tiverton High School, Two Moors, Heathcoat, Tidcombe and Wilcombe Primary Schools made presentations to the Mayor and Mayoress before the ceremony was brought to a close.