HIGHWORTH has elected its new mayor.

Coun Nick Gardiner took off his ceremonial gold chain and gave it to Coun Julia Bishop at the Annual Meeting after she was unanimously voted to be mayor by councillors.

Julia has been the town’s deputy mayor for the past year.

Her husband Alan Bishop has been mayor twice but this is the first time that Julia has had the honour.;

She said: “I will do my utmost to promote Highworth., and my chosen charity is the Alzheimer’s Society.”

Coun Ryan Acres will take her place as the new Deputy Mayor of Highworth.

The mayor will also be the chair of all council meetings for the next year and usually, the deputy mayor is the vice chair.

However, Ryan declined the role of vice chair as he felt he was not experienced enough to take it on.

Coun Lynn Vardy will be vice chair in his stead and Ryan will continue to be the council’s representative for the Highworth Community Partnership Group.

During her first meeting as mayor, Julia wanted to highlight the good work that went into the May Day festivities.

She said: “Congratulations to the May Day committee, it was a fantastic day, we couldn’t have asked for better weather, and everyone had a great time.”

The new mayor has started her mayoral year with a trip to Wassenberg, as she has been invited as a guest of the mayor of Pontorson.

Highworth is twinned with both towns and the meet-up has been organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the twinning of Wassenberg with Pontorson.

Arkells have donated several crates of beer for Mayor Bishop to give to the other mayors and distinguished guests, plus the Highworth Emporium have gift-wrapped some of the cases in gold wrapping.

Coun Gardiner looked back on his time as Mayor of Highworth.

He said: “The role of mayor was something I learned more about as I did it.

"Juggling a full-time job with my mayoral commitments was one of the more challenging aspects but overall it's been really positive and I've really enjoyed it.

"It's about promoting the town across Wiltshire and sharing the work we do and ideas we have.

"I joined the town twinning association on a trip to Wassenberg - the first current mayor to do so for at least 20 years - which was great.

"Julia has been mayoress twice so I'm confident she has her eyes wide open and knows what to expect.

"Anyone who gets the opportunity to do this should grasp it with both hands and make the most of it."

In the rest of the council’s Annual Meeting, Coun Maureen Penny was chosen to continue her work for Swindon transportation.

Coun Gardiner agreed to continue his work with the Nexus project, Coun Gerry Adams decided to continue working with Town Twinning, and Coun Alison Durrant will keep leading Highworth’s Fair Trade committee.