TAVISTOCK welcomed a new mayor to lead the town council for the coming year at the town annual meeting on Tuesday.

Cllr Philip Sanders was nominated by outgoing mayor Cllr Mandy Ewings to take the chain of office for the civic year. 

On stepping down, Cllr Ewings said: ‘I would like to thank the council for nominating me to be the mayor of our wonderful town of Tavistock. It has been a humbling and privileged year, meeting so many different groups and organisations within Tavistock.

‘I have almost managed to attend every event I have been invited to, which is just over 140, plus my council duties. I have devoted almost the last two years to representing our town to the best of my ability.’

Cllr Sanders said Cllr Ewings had been ‘without doubt’ a credit to the council and a credit to the town. 

On accepting mayorship for 2017/18, Cllr Sanders said: ‘I would like to thank the council for accepting me as mayor and I’m sure it is going to be a great year.’

Cllr Paul Ward was nominated as the new deputy mayor for the coming civic year.

Cllr Ward said: ‘Thank you for supporting me. I’ve not been a councillor for that long but I have hugely enjoyed my time so far. I hope I will be able to match up to the expectations. I look forward to working with the council, the new mayor and members of the public for the next 12 months.’

During the meeting, Cllr Ewings was presented with a past mayor’s badge and former mayor’s cadet sergeant Robbie Langton was presented with gifts in thanks for his work over the past year.