Meet the mayors preparing for a busy time in office

8:03pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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THE people of Pershore have a new mayor who believes that it is important that the town has a year of consolidation.' Councillor Ken Rowe became mayor this week when he took over the reins from coun Val Wood.

His wife Margaret, also a Pershore town councillor, is the mayoress.

Former Pershore mayor Coun Chris Parsons is the new deputy mayor and the deputy mayoress will be his wife Jan.

Coun Rowe said he was looking forward to the year ahead: "It is a great honour and very humbling to be able to serve the town as mayor.

The council priority this year will be about consolidation," he added.

"The High Street caused disruption but is now in place and looks fantastic.

"There are some who have had to endure great heartache while the work was completed and not everyone is happy with it but on the other hand I have had people say it is fantastic and it is like another Broadway.

"I would like to see the town council members all working together for the benefit of the town." Coun Rowe has chosen Stroke Awareness and the Talking Newspaper as his charities for the year. He presided over his first meeting of the council yesterday.

Evesham mayor Alan Booth accepted a second year in office on Monday evening after reflecting on an emotional 12 months.

Coun Booth looked back on his first year as mayor and said there had been highs and lows as he paid tribute to Coun Steve Selby and former town clerk Frank Davies, both of whom passed away this year.

His first year as mayor was dominated by the summer floods which directly affected him as water engulfed his Bengeworth pub.

Coun Booth said the highlight of his year had been a twinning visit to to the town of Dreux in France and Evesham's festivals had been a big hit as always.

Coun John Smith nominated Coun Booth for a second year as mayor. He said: "Alan has been an excellent mayor. During his year of office he has attended many events and has had to deal with his pub being flooded but despite this he has kept his spirits up."

Tenbury has a new mayor and deputy mayor following the annual meeting of the town council on Monday.

Richard Jones succeeds Bob Martin as council chairman and Elizabeth Weston replaces Jonathan Morgan as deputy.

In each case there were only two nominations for the posts, the incumbents and their successors.

Richard Jones, of Berrington Mews, was co-opted to the council last year for Tenbury ward and Elizabeth Weston, of Market Square, was elected.

Coun Jones said: "I am very honoured to become mayor of the town where I was born.

"Thank you, Bob, for your hard work in the past year when the town was hit by floods."

Stourport's new mayor says he is looking forward to a good year in which real improvements are made in the town.

Jim Parish, a Health Concern Stourport town councillor and former Worcestershire county councillor, has taken over the role from Mike Salter.

Mr Parish, 71, a retired businessman, has been living in Stourport since 1994. His wife Kathy, 69, joins him as mayoress.

He said: "I was honoured to be chosen.

"Stourport is a lovely place to live and I have always had an interest in local issues."

"Now we have to do things to make the town better. It's looking terribly tired at the moment."

Mr Parish said he is keen to see improvements in High Street and Bridge Street and would be working hard to help achieve that.

"My role as Mayor is to be the figurehead of Stourport, who people can come to talk to and bring their wishes and grievances to.

"I will do my best to help them in any way I can," he said. "I think we are going to have a good year."