Nantwich councillor Arthur Moran is the new mayor of Cheshire East – crowning 31 years in public life.
The retired magistrate, who represents Nantwich North and West, takes over the chain of office from outgoing mayor Olivia Hunter at Wednesday’s annual council meeting.
He was a Cheshire county councillor for 12 years, where he was made an honorary alderman.
He was a Crewe and Nantwich Borough councillor for 13 years and a member of Cheshire East Council since it began in 2009.
A keen cyclist, Cllr Moran was a staunch supporter of the Tour of Britain, staged in the borough last year and reveals he was given a racing bike for his 40th birthday.
Now 71, Cllr Moran still cycles for leisure purposes – but must now put his bike away while he fulfils a busy diary of events over the next 12 months.
He has been organising charity dance events with the Todd Miller and Joe Loss Orchestra for more than 20 years.
Together with his late wife Margaret, has raised more than £30,000 for charities.
His two charities for his year of office will be Target Ovarian Cancer and the Leighton Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group.
The new mayor has invited close friend, Carole Thomas, to be his mayoress.
He said: “If I can achieve only half of what Olivia has done as the present mayor, then I will feel I have done a good job.
“I am very proud to have been asked to be the new mayor of the borough.
“I think it is important to continue the tradition of mayor and I look forward to representing the borough and our residents wherever I am invited to attend.”
Outgoing mayor Cllr Hunter (High Legh) said: “I wish Arthur well.
“It has been a magnificent year for me and the highlight has been all the wonderful people I have met.
“Meeting our school children at various events was great fun because they were always fascinated to learn about the role of the mayor and the regalia, such as the mace, that goes with it.”
During her year of office, Cllr Hunter raised more than £11,000 for The Christie and Cheshire Young Carers – a new record for a Cheshire East mayor.
Cllr Lesley Smetham (Gawsworth), pictured below, will take on the role of deputy mayor, and will assume the role of mayor in 2018.
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