Councillor David Ravenscroft was officially installed as the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye for the Civic Year of 2011/2012, at the annual Mayor-Making ceremony at the Larruperz Centre on Monday, May 23rd.

The occasion was well attended with over 120 guests including visiting mayors, fellow councillors, family and friends.

The event was one of the most well attended Mayor-Making ceremonies of recent years. Several people told the Ross Gazette that they felt it was important to show their support for David Ravenscroft, who stood as an Independent after he was not adopted as a candidate by the Conservatives.

Conservative Councillors Jenny Hyde, Phil Cutter and Gordon Lucas, who have all worked with David Ravenscroft for many years, have also written to the Ross Gazette to state their support for him. "David Ravenscroft has been a loyal and hardworking supporter of the local Party and a good friend to us personally," they said. (Read the letter in full on page 12.)

The Town Clerk, Mrs Denise Mason and Councillor Jo Lane, last year's Mayor, put the mayoral robe on Mr Ravenscroft and the chain of office around his neck. Mr Ravenscroft then made the Declaration of Office.

The proceedings were interrupted a few times by the new Mayors mobile phone. He was waiting expectantly for news about his new grandchild, due that day.

After prayers led by the Reverend Sarah Jones, the new Mayor announced his wife, Doreen, would be his Mayoress and his Deputy Mayor is Councillor Caroline Utting, a Liberal Democrat. A presentation was then made to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jo Lane and her Consort.

Councillor Lane summed up her year saying that from spending time with the youngest pre-school playgroup child, to meeting HRH the Princess Royal, the whole year had been a highlight.

She then thanked her work colleagues, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk who, she remarked, had kept her diary very full. Read the full report in this week's Gazette.