Mayor of Newbury

NEWBURY now has a new mayor after Jo Day was sworn in at an official ceremony at the Corn Exchange this morning (Sunday). A Newbury town councillor for Northcroft ward for seven years, Mrs Day was proposed for the role by Martha Vickers (Lib Dem, Northcroft) who said: “In Jo Day, Newbury will have a mayor who is a true Newburian, someone who cares passionately about the town’s history and it’s general being and who will work hard to support the town and its residents.” Speaking for the first time as mayor, Mrs Day said: “I cannot find adequate words to express the honour I feel today at being elected mayor of Newbury. “I’m proud of our town and will do my best to serve my term as mayor with all the energy and dedication I can give.” Mrs Day was born and raised in Newbury, and returned to the town in 1991 after moving away to wed and start a family. Her appointment was seconded by David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria), who was also made mayor’s consort. Howard Bairstow (Con, Falkland) was appointed as deputy mayor after being proposed by Adrian Edwards (Con, Falkland) and seconded by Kuldip Singh-Kahn (Con, Falkland). Before exchanging the mayoral robes, Mr Pick thanked council officers and political colleagues for the “sterling” support they had given him, and gave a special thanks to the mayoress and his wife-to-be, Liberal Democrat councillor Catherine Kent. During his time as mayor, Mr Pick attended 286 engagements and Mrs Day, as deputy mayor, attended a further 31 on his behalf. He said: “It has been a great privilege and honour to be mayor of Newbury.” He went on to warn Mrs Day of some of the perils of being town mayor, which he said included: “The expectation to make an acceptable speech without any prior notice and the impossibility of getting to ones pockets under the mayoral gown.” The West Berkshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was chosen by Mrs Day as the mayor’s charity of the year, along with the Mayor’s Benevolent Fund.