Chairman of Tenby in Bloom and the town's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, was officially sworn in as Tenby's 615th Mayor on Friday.

Fifty-two-year-old Clr. Mrs. Lane, elected to serve as the resort's First Citizen for a third time in eight years, donned the scarlet robes of office at the traditional Mayor-making ceremony at the De Valence Pavilion.

In time honoured tradition, retiring Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, asked each councillor in turn if they would like to stand for the office of Mayor, with only Clr. Mrs. Lane, a town councillor since 1987, indicating that she would like to do so.

In formally proposing her, Clr. Mrs. Kerri Durham said Clr. Mrs. Lane was a person who took her responsibilities seriously and loved the town of her birth.

"She has enthusiasm and energy and I am sure with her enthusiasm we will be busy tackling new projects all year long," she said.

"She is always full of bubbly fun and I am sure we will all enjoy working with her.

"She has shown great commitment to Tenby in Bloom and dedication to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Tenby Town Council and I can think of no better person to lead the council into the next year."

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter seconded the proposal.

"Clr. Mrs. Lane is hard working and a great ambassador for the town of Tenby," she said.

After being elected, Clr. Mrs. Lane, thanked her fellow councillors for their support and congratulated Clr. Mrs. Thomas on a successful year in office.

"I will do my utmost to fulfil my duties to the highest standards," said Clr. Mrs. Lane, who was Mayor in 1998 and 1999 and Mayoress last year.

She then proposed that Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter be accepted as her Deputy Mayor, which was seconded by Clr. Mrs. Marilyn Cray.

This was followed by a proposal by Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown and seconded by Clr. Mrs. Maureen Ward, that Messrs. John Morgan, Robin Scanlon and John Thomas be re-appointed Sergeant at Arms, Sergeant at Mace and Town Crier, respectively, before Clr. Mrs. Lane appointed Canon David Jenkins as her chaplain, her youngest son Jonathan, 18, as her consort and Mr. Robert Main as the Deputy Mayor's consort.

A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor was proposed by Clr. Michael Evans, who paid tribute to Clr. Mrs. Thomas's 'unstinting' hard work during the year, which had included CATCH (Campaign for Action on Tenby Cottage Hospital) and the establishment of the new De Valence Pavilion Trust.

"It has not been an easy year, but Clr. Mrs. Thomas has carried out her duties with considerable strength and determination," he said.

The vote of thanks was seconded by Clr. Trevor Hallett.

In her response, Clr. Mrs. Thomas described her year in office as a 'pleasure and a privilege' and said she had a 'great feeling' about the year ahead.

"Under Clr. Mrs. Lane's leadership I think we will achieve much," she said.

"She is conscientious, determined, courageous and honest," she continued.

"The re-development at the Augustus Place Community Centre needs a great deal of work and with Clrs. Lane and Rossiter at the helm I know the project will prosper," she added.

The council's newest member, Clr. Damian Brown, proposed an adjournment of statutory business, which was seconded by Clr. Phil Crockford.

Canon Jenkins then blessed the new Mayoral medallion given by Mr. Tot Thomas and Mr. John Griffiths in memory of Tot's son, David.

The ceremony was followed by the customary buffet reception in the main hall, where after Clr. Mrs. Lane gave the Loyal Toast, Tenby personality Mr. Denzil Griffiths, who persuaded Clr. Mrs. Lane to join the council, proposed a toast to the Mayor and town of Tenby.

A toast to the guests was proposed by Clr. Mrs. Rossiter, while the response was given by Mr. Pat Crockford, of the Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions Club.

The evening culminated with the traditional civic ball.

FOOTNOTE: This year's Civic Service will be held on Sunday, September 19, at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, at 10 am.