Tenby looks set to have a new name on its prestigious Mayoral chain. Former Chief Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force, Clr. John Griffiths, was unanimously elected Mayor-designate by his colleagues on Tuesday night. In time-honoured tradition, current First Citizen, Clr. Trevor Hallett, asked each councillor present in turn if they wished to put their name forward to succeed him, with only Clr. Griffiths indicating he wished to stand. Clr. Griffiths, of Scotsborough View, was proposed for the position by Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown. "Clr. Griffiths has made a very good councillor. He learns very quickly and is sure to be successful," she said. Clr. Mrs. Brown was seconded by Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas. "I have known Clr. Griffiths since our Greenhill days. He was as hard-working and industrious as Chief Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force as he is now. The fact that we share a great-great- grandfather has nothing to do with my delight in seconding this proposal," she said. Clr. Griffiths, who is the current Deputy Mayor, thanked members for their support. "I only hope I can maintain the standards set by my predecessors and I hope I don't let you all down," he said. Born in Sageston, 68-year-old Clr. Griffiths was educated locally before joining the Fleet Air Arm. He then went on to serve in the Hong Kong Police Force for 34 years, before returning to Tenby in 1994. He became a member of the town council in 2004. The Mayoral post is, however, no stranger to Clr. Griffiths's family, for a number of his ancestors have held the position, including his grandfather, George Sandercock, in 1939. Clr. Griffiths will don the scarlet robes of office at the Mayor-making ceremony on Friday, May 4.
