?A VINTAGE year for the mayoralty? ? that was the forecast as Tavistock?s new mayor was sworn in at the council?s annual meeting last week.
Cllr Norma Woodcock, representing Tavistock?s north ward, has taken on the chain of office for a fourth time. She is the first councillor in modern times to have stood as mayor on this many occasions.
Cllr Ted Sherrell, who proposed Cllr Woodcock for the role, said: ?Over the years, indeed, the decades, Cllr Woodcock has brought to this council integrity, vision, loyalty and that rarest of qualities in public life, wisdom.
?Possessor of a rapier, though never acerbic, wit, she is able with some ease to prick the hot air balloon of pomposity and self-importance. She will, however, always respect the views of others, even if opposite to her own.
?This town, this community and this council can anticipate a vintage year for the mayoralty.?
Cllr Betty Batchelor, who seconded the motion, said Cllr Woodcock was a member of great experience who would be well able to guide the newly-elected council through the challenges of the coming year.
Cllr Woodcock held Tavistock close to her heart, said Cllr Batchelor.
Cllr Woodcock said serving as a councillor was a privilege which brought with it great responsibility.
She said: ?It?s up to us as councillors to use our experience, our wisdom, our commonsense and to give due consideration and make decisions for the town.
?We all live here. Some of us work here. We drive and park our cars, we shop, we cross roads, we walk the pavements.
?Our children and our grandchildren use our play parks. Some of us push prams round the town, some of us have ridden bikes, some of us exercise our dogs, we visit neighbours and friends and so we bring to this chamber a wide and direct experience of what it is to live in Tavistock and what we experience as the quality of life here.?
And Cllr Woodcock paid tribute to outgoing mayor Cllr Marjorie Corner. She praised her for ?a job well done? as Tavistock?s first citizen, carrying out her duties with ?diligence and great fortitude? in spite of suffering disabilities associated with Multiple Sclerosis.
?We have to admire her courage, determination and sheer willpower,? said Cllr Woodcock.
Cllr Corner said she was sad to leave the council which she had served for the last eight years.
?I promised to serve this council as well as or better than my ability. I also aimed to raise the profile of disabled people ? I hope I have managed to do both,? said Cllr Corner, who looked forward to the day the council chamber would become accessible to all members of the community.
The new deputy mayor will be Cllr Jenny Metcalf. Cllr Robin Pike, who proposed her, said she was an ?active and hard-working? member of the council, ?a sincere and dedicated lady who takes a keen interest in Tavistock and its people?.
Cllr Anne Johnson said she was happy to back Cllr Pike?s proposal, saying Cllr Metcalf was a ?very caring and wise person?.
Cllr Metcalfe said she felt ?honoured, happy and rather humble? to be elected deputy mayor of a ?very special? town like Tavistock.