Youth inspiration focus for new Mayor of Preston
Coun Trevor Hart accepted the ceremonial chains from outgoing mayor Coun Brian Rollo at a ceremony at the town hall on Wednesday.
The new incumbent acknowledged he had a hard act to follow given Coun Rollo and wife Trisha had attended around 520 events during their tenure.
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Hide AdPaying tribute to his predecessor, Coun Hart said: “He has done an absolutely amazing job and given everything to it, I’ve watched you in awe and wondered how I am going to follow that.”
The new mayor, a Conservative representative for Lea ward, will have his daughter Sarah McAlea and Laura King as his joint mayoresses.
Laura is a family friend who cared for Coun Hart’s late wife Claire, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour prior to her death in 2016.
He said: “I ask you to support me and support my charity, something that is so personal to me and to so many in this chamber.”
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Hide AdThe former school head teacher added: “During the year I would like to think we can bring the mayoralty to the next generation for them to understand and share the important things that we bring to the city. We live in a brilliant city and we’ve got the youth coming through, maybe it’s a good time to share this role with the next generation.”
Coun Rollo, who received a standing ovation from the chamber, said: “The mayoress and I have had a really amazing year that has sped past at an accelerating pace.
"One of my aims was to take the mayoralty to the people. Preston is full of wonderful people doing wonderful things, unheralded.”