Wednesday 18th May 2011

Chesterfield has a new Mayor tonight after Cllr Peter Barr was sworn in as the 371st Mayor of Chesterfield. His wife Jean as Mayoress will accompany him throughout his year.


Chesterfield's new Mayor, Peter Barr takes the oath today in the Town Hall Chambers

He took the Oath at around 5.15 pm tonight in front of a packed Council Chamber and accompanied by his new Cadets.

Proposed by Cllr Ray Russell who said that Cllr Barr was "Well-liked and can talk to anyone, qualities which will stand him in good stead." He was seconded by Councillor Stuart Britton.

In his first speech as First Citizen, His Worship declared it was a huge privilege to hold office and paid tribute to those Councillors who had served the Council and stood down or lost seats in the recent election. He also extended a warm welcome to the newly elected Members.

Praising the town's 'green' credentials and initiatives such as Chesterfield in Bloom and Destination Chesterfield, he said he was looking forward to the year ahead and would, amongst other things, be backing schemes which would see the Council working in partnership with residents to provide help in extreme weather and with the Voluntary sector to support residents through difficult times.

Cllr Higginbottom thanked the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Keith Morgan, for his year as Mayor and provoked laughter when he reflected on the recent change in the demography of the Chamber saying, despite the heavy losses he now had "a new audience for my jokes".

He added that Cllr Morgan had "Presided over council affairs in a fair way and had enjoyed the loyal support of his wife the Mayoress as they had attended a wide selection of events."

He also took time to pay tribute to the outgoing Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Mick Bagshaw and Ruth Perry.

To more laughter he reminded the now former Mayor that he would have time for all the jobs around the house and that it was possibly no coincidence that it was 181 years to the day since the Lawnmower was invented!

It was also noted that the Mayor had worked hard on behalf of his chosen charities and had raised a substantial amount of money for them.

Leader of the Council, John Burrows paid tribute to the former Mayoress, praising her, "Grace and dignity along with her organizational skills and her particular interest in the children who had visited the Parlour over the year". He also provoked laughter when he recalled how she had told him she wished she "Had a remote control to zap him during particularly long speeches and how she had been seen in a conga line at Doe Lea Workmen's Club with the paratroopers after the rededication service at Hardwick Hall."

A Mayoral Badge and Record Book were presented to Cllr Morgan to commemorate his year in Office. Cllr Morgan responded with a speech which is replicated in full HERE.

Cllr Don Parsons will take over the role as Deputy Mayor with Canon Michael Knight as Mayor's Chaplain.

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