THE chain of office will remain with Karen Gold as she begins her second term as portreeve and town mayor of Callington but she will have a young helper — in the shape of eldest grand-daughter Phoebe.

Cllr Gold presented 4-year-old Phoebe with her own 'chain of office' for the coming year at the portreeve choosing ceremony last week.

The young family member has frequently attended openings and special events in and around Callington with her grandmother: 'Phoebe has been in as many photos as me over the past year so I thought it was time I presented her with her own chain of office,' said the portreeve.

Mrs Gold, who is the foundation school co-ordinator at Callington Community College, paid tribute to her family who often turned up 'en masse' to events to support her.

She said it had been a privilege to serve Callington and Kelly Bray and she had really enjoyed it.

'Sometimes the wheels of government turn very slowly but we persevere and annoy the powers that be as much as possible in the interests of our community,' she said.

The formation of a Callington traders' association and the Friday Night Project for young people were two of the year's success stories which she had been delighted to be involved in and she highlighted the close working relationship between the council and the town forum.

Mrs Gold praised all her fellow councillors for giving up their time for the benefit of the town, in particular Cllr Richard Lumley who had brought entertainment to Callington under the CAVe (Callington Arts Venue) project, Denise Winfindale without whom the town would not be such a 'blaze of light.', deputy portreeve Jeremy Gist for his 'support, encouragement and advice' and Cornwall councillor Andrew Long for all he did for Callington.

This year the portreeve will launch a citizen of the year and a junior citizen of the year award.

Cllr Denise Winfindale said Mrs Gold was 'excellent in bringing councillors to order' as chairman of the council and she had done a wonderful job in representing her town. Jeremy Gist was re-elected as deputy portreeve for the coming year.