It was an honour & privilege to be elected Mayor of Bideford by my fellow councillors in May 2025. During the last year, I have attended many functions and events, as well as working in the background with the office staff (old and new) to keep the services the Town Council provide running. As well as sitting on the Bideford Regeneration Board and helping drive forward the Pannier Market Project, to repair the roof and structure of the buildings, it has been a busy year.
Normally it would be the turn of another Councillor to take over the role of Mayor and carry on, where the previous person had left off. However this year, is slightly different, in that I was again asked to stand for Mayor and elected for a second term. My thanks go to all those who put their faith in me and I am looking forward to leading the council again for another year.
Preparation now starts for the Mayor’s Introduction Ceremony on the Thursday 4th June and Bideford Fair on Saturday June 6th. This year we are including a Cream Tea Festival in the Fair and there are competitions to choose the best local bakers, both amateur & professional. A Sheep Drive across the Old Bideford Bridge, Flyboarding on the River Torridge, classic cars, dog show and The Mayor’s Procession through Town will also feature in a packed day of events in Bideford’s Victoria Park and beyond.
There are also other local Mayor’s introduction ceremonies at Torrington & Barnstaple to attend before that, as well as the normal round of Council Meetings. I am also looking forward to presenting a card and gift to any Bideford residents reaching 100 this year. For more details visit the Town Council website, on how you can apply.
The Bideford Maintenance Team start work on replacing the lights on the Old Bideford Bridge this week, so there will be a road closure in place from 11th May – 14th May between 7pm and 6am each day. This will allow access for a crane to lower a specially made cage over the parapet to allow electricians to replace the bulbs (many of which have failed).
