In a simple but sincere ceremony performed in front of a large group of residents and well-wishers, the new Mayor of Ross received his chain of office from the outgoing Mayor.

Councillor David Ravenscroft, who has served as Mayor for the past two years, helped the Town Clerk Denise Mason dress the new Mayor of Ross, Councillor Chris Batrum. They arranged his robe and chain before he repeated the declaration of office made at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council when he was unanimously elected as the Mayor.

Cllr Bartrum then said that, 'unsurprisingly' his Mayoress would be Jane Roberts, his partner and the mother of his two daughters. In a touching speech he described her as honest and clever and his best friend for 38 years. Cllr Bartrum explained that he became involved in local politics after taking early retirement from the Inland Revenue and becoming bored by day time television. His first task as a volunteer with the Lib Dems was to deliver leaflets.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.