TAVISTOCK's new mayor — the first by the name of Smith in the council's history — took the chain of office at the authority's annual meeting last week.

Proposing Cllr Harry Smith, retiring mayor Cllr Anne Johnson said the new man in the hot seat was an 'incredibly hard-working' and determined councillor who was always keen to get things done.

Cllr Johnson said: 'He is also a keen family man and passionate gardener — which is fitting, with the garden festival this weekend as one of his first engagements.'

Cllr Johnson said she was sure that Cllr Smith, who had now served the town as deputy mayor twice, would do well in the role and enjoy it as she had done.

Cllr Smith said he was 'greatly honoured' to represent the council and the people of Tavistock as mayor.

Cllr Smith, who was born in Scotland but who has lived in Tavistock for the last 20 years, said: 'As far as I can establish, since 1898 through to the present day, there has never been a Smith in the chairman's seat, so this is a mayoral first.'

Cllr Smith said the first time he had ever visited the council chamber in Tavistock had been to marry his 'wonderful wife', Mary, who had always supported him in his work as a councillor and who, he said, would make a fine mayoress.

'I am aware we have challenging times ahead. It's not only a challenging time, it's an exciting time to be in Tavistock and I am humbled to be elected your mayor for the coming year,' said Cllr Smith.

Paying tribute to the outgoing mayor — and her husband, Paul — Cllr Philip Saunders said Cllr Johnson had been 'incredibly dedicated' in her role, representing the town at a massive number of events throughout the year.

'Anyone who hasn't done the job of mayor has no idea how hard it is, you get very few weekends off and not all that many nights off in the week either.

'She's smiled all the way through and she's represented this town and done a fantastic job — I am delighted to have the opportunity to pay a fulsome tribute to Anne and Paul,' he said.

Cllr Johnson said it had been a 'huge privilege' to serve the town as mayor for a second time — a challenge which she now thought had drawn 'a fine line between bravery and stupidity'.

She said she had really enjoyed her year but could never have fulfilled her duties without the fantastic support of the council staff, her friends, the voluntary groups with which she was associated who had allowed her to take time away, and particularly to her husband, Paul.

'It's been amazing,' she said.

The new deputy mayor for the coming year will be Cllr John Sheldon.

Cllr Sheldon said he was proud to take on the role and would be supporting Cllr Smith to the best of his ability.

Cllr Sheldon said the council was beginning to have more impact with increased involvement in community groups and would continue to work hard on behalf of the people of Tavistock.