Mayoral Introduction Ceremony
The Mayoral Introduction Ceremony took place at the Great Torrington Town And Community Hall on Wednesday 22nd May, during which, Cllr Cloke was officially sworn in as Mayor and Cllr Parish as Deputy Mayor for the coming year. Cllr Cloke thanked Cllr Doug Smith for his three years as Mayor and presented him with his Past Mayors Badge.
During the ceremony Chris Foster, was presented with the Mayor’s Good Citizen Award in recognition of the many years that she has served as Church Warden for St. Michael & All Angels Church and for voluntary work carried out at Abbeyfield.
The Howe Plate was awarded jointly to John Eeles and Emily Wapshott for the work they have put into the “Dig the Castle” project on behalf of the Great Torrington Futures Group. Unfortunately, neither John nor Emily were able to attend the Ceremony due to separate holiday commitments but called into our offices for a photo shoot in advance. The engraved plate will be officially presented to them at the Dig the Castle exhibition at the Town Hall in August.
Retiring Mayor’s Cadet Sergeant David Lee was thanked for his assistance by the Mayor who presented him with a certificate to commemorate his service. Sergeant Lee then passed the baton to Lance Corporal George Batten during an official handover, he will now serve as the Mayor’s Cadet for the coming year.
Cheques of approximately £300 each were presented to the Mayor’s Charities for last year, Shirley Bere accepted on behalf of the Torrington Community Food Bank and retiring Mayor Cllr Smith read a letter of thanks from The Eve Appeal who are the leading UK national charity funding research and raising awareness into the five gynaecological cancers – a charity very close to Cllr Smith’s heart having sadly lost his wife to one of these a few years ago.
The Mayor’s Chaplain was announced to be Fr Steve Turner from St Michael and All Angels Church once again for the coming year. Cllr Cloke announced his charities for 2024/25 to be: Children’s Hospice South West, Torri Youth and Torrington Amateur Athletic Club.
Cllr Cloke gave an entertaining speech and expressed his pride in becoming Mayor of Great Torrington, this was followed by a potted history of education in Great Torrington by his son Tim Cloke who is also our Mace Bearer.
We wish Cllr Cloke all the best for the coming year.
