Soft option aims to ease mayor's burden (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Soft option aims to ease mayor's burden

SHIPSTON Town Council has hit on a way of relieving its mayors of some of the burden the office entails - by padding the heavy chain.

The chain of office is to be lined with velvet to stop it giving the mayors neckache and crushing collars and jackets and damaging dresses.

Mayor Stephen Grey will be handing over the heavy chain - which weighs several pounds and is one of the heaviest in the Stratford District Council area - complete with the new velvet lining, to Cllr Angela Joyce at the town council meeting on Monday, May 8. The work, which costs was Cllr Grey's idea.

Cllr Noyce, who said she was very relieved at the improvements to the chain, will be taking on the role for a second year.

Cllr Grey and Cllr Noyce have been alternating as mayor for the past four years as council numbers have dropped as low as nine, but with the council now at its full complement of 13, Cllr Noyce is expecting this year to be her final one in the top job.

"Stephen and I have been taking it in turns since 2003," said Cllr Noyce.

"Hopefully this will be my last time - but I don't mean that in a bad way. I'm looking forward to doing my best for Shipston.

"Not everybody wants to take on the job because it does take up a whole year of your life.

"But it is a very interesting job and it's important to promote Shipston."

She said: "The mayor conducts council meetings and attends events and dinners.

"With all the dinners, you do end up putting on weight, so you either go on a diet or buy a new wardrobe of clothes," she joked.

Her husband Alan becomes her consort.

Her first job in office after being voted in as mayor at the council meeting at Clark House will be to officially open the new children's play area at the London Road Sports Club in Shipston.

The club, which is 32 years old, caters for tennis, football, cricket, games, and even pigeon racing.

For her year, the mayor would also like to be invited to more events in the town.