An Eastwood charity champion, described by colleagues as a "slavedriver," has been elected as the new town mayor.
Council leader Charlie Robb nominated his Liberal Democrat colleague Cllr Josie Forrest to be the new Mayor of Eastwood at Monday's council meeting, saying she deserved the honour for all her hard work within the community.
He told the packed cou
ncil chamber that during her 20 years in Eastwood, Cllr Forrest has "taken a full part in community life."
She is the treasurer of Age Concern Eastwood, raising thousands of pounds for the centre on Edward Road, and regularly raises funds for Cancer Research and the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.
Cllr Robb added: "She can also be a slavedriver, but she is prepared to work as hard as anyone else.
"It is fitting that one who has given so much to the town should now be given the honour of becoming its mayor."
Cllr Forrest accepted the Chain of Office from her predecessor Bob Charlesworth and in an emotional speech thanked her supporters as she pledged to continue her work.
She added: "I'd like to congratulate Bob on his excellent year as Mayor.
"He has represented this council outstandingly and with great pride, always wearing a smile. I know he has thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be a hard act to follow.
"As for moi, as the new Mayor of Eastwood, I must say I am both deeply moved and honoured by this election.
"I will endeavour to represent this council with dignity and professionalism and want to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors by fulfilling this role to the best of my ability.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank my husband who, although he has been very ill, has always supported me in everything I do. I want to thank my family, friends and colleagues for their support also."
She added she will also be fundraising for the Alzheimer's Society in memory of her mum who suffered from the disease and died in 1998.
Handing over the Chain of Office, Cllr Charlesworth said: "The year has seemed to fly by, it seems a minute ago since I got the chain around my neck.
"The most memorable engagements have been surprising people on their special birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. That was my first mayoral engagement and the last one.
"I think the whole year has taught me one thing: the people of Eastwood are doing a phenomenal amount of good work, they are really the best that could be and I am very proud to be able to serve as the mayor for this past year."
The full article contains 445 words and appears in Eastwood Advertiser newspaper.
