THE new mayor of Tavistock was sworn in during an official ceremony held in the town hall last Tuesday week.

Cllr Jenny Metcalf, an Independent member for Tavistock South, has served on the council for six years and during that time has been one of its busiest members.

Cllr Metcalf said it was a ?great honour and responsibility? to serve as mayor of Tavistock, a town to which she and her family moved some 26 years ago, when her husband, Jim, became head of Tavistock College.

She said: ?Tens of thousands of people have lived here, worked here, cared for their families here and collectively made Tavistock the very special town it is today.?

Cllr Metcalf said some of the town?s ?sons and daughters?, like Sharron Davies, W H Smith and, more recently, Olympian Kate Allenby, had gone on to become household names.

?But the vast majority have lived their lives quietly and have left us this unique town.

?I promise to serve the people of Tavistock who make it a lively and vibrant community ? the retired people who contribute so much, our market traders who draw people in like a magnet, all those in the caring professions and those who give hospitality.?

Cllr Metcalf?s son, James, is to act as her consort for the coming 12 months.

Cllr Ted Sherrell, who proposed Cllr Metcalf, said the new mayor would be ?a dedicated first citizen? of Tavistock.

He said: ?She is a most conscientious lady who approaches all issues with intelligence, integrity and a goodly amount of compassion. Indeed, she is a person who lights candles, rather than merely cursing the dark.?

Cllr Sherrell also paid tribute to retiring mayor Cllr Norma Woodcock, describing her as an ?outstanding? councillor, who brought ?wisdom, vision, loyalty, integrity and wit? to her committed public life.

?She has represented this council and our community with dignity, often with panache and always with a consistent sureness of touch.

?Norma has the rare ability to be able to put people at their ease, to lift the spirits of the downhearted and to encourage the shy and reluctant,? he said.

Cllr Woodcock thanked the council for the opportunity to serve as mayor during the last year ? and paid tribute to her husband, Gerry, for his support.

?It has been a joy, both for Gerry and myself ? I do thank you, it?s been a wonderful year.?

The new deputy mayor is Cllr Caroline Keane, Independent member for Tavistock North, who said she was honoured to be elected as deputy.

?We have a young, dynamic council and the next year will be very exciting for Tavistock,? she said.

?It?s the 900th anniversary of the market charter, there will be a lot going on and it will be a busy time ? I will be pleased to support Jenny both in and outside the council chamber.?