The new Mayor of Pembroke for 2013/14 is local businessman, Clr. Keith Nicholas, who represents the Pembroke St. Mary (South) ward.

Clr. Nicholas was 'sworn in' as the 634th Mayor of Pembroke at the annual meeting held at Pembroke Town Hall on Saturday.  

As a native of Bosherston, Clr. Nicholas, who is married to Karen, has been a member of Pembroke Town Council since 1997.

A keen rugby fan, he is also social treasurer of Pembroke Rugby Football Club and past chair of Pembroke Chamber of Trade.

During his time as a town councillor, he has been actively involved with promoting the town, and is a member of the Pembroke Regeneration and Enhancement Committee.

Clr. Nicholas said it was a 'great honour' to stand as Mayor.

He said: "I would like to thank my fellow councillors for placing their trust in me, especially Clr. Dennis Evans for proposing me as Mayor and Clr. Clive Collins for seconding the position.

"Little did I realise that as a young boy growing up in Bosherston with my mother and father Freda and Joe and my brothers Andrew and Martyn that I would become Mayor of Pembroke for a third time.

"I don't suppose that Richard Row, the first Mayor of Pembroke in 1381, would believe that the tradition is still continued over 600 years later."

He continued: "I look at our town and hope that I can continue the good work that the previous Mayors have begun.

"Pembroke is a tremendous town, it is unspoilt and a place we are all proud of. We must try and retain its beauty and charm and build upon its future. We have many areas within and around our town of great interest and we must promote and maximise their potential. One of these being the town walls that surround most of Pembroke today. It would be wonderful to see funding available to restore these historic walls so that they can complement our wonderful castle."

Clr. Nicholas also thanked his predecessor, Clr. Melanie Phillips, for all she had accomplished over the last 12 months in promoting the town during her term of office.

Added Clr. Nicholas: "I have had the honour of being Mayor in 2002/03 and 2010/11 and with support from fellow town councillors, family and friends, we raised well over £10,000 for the Macmillan Nurses and Paul Sartori, Help for Heroes and Mencap Stackpole. The money raised was through team efforts and events like the Boxing Day Swim, castle wall abseil to name a few.

"During this year in office, the council is working in conjunction with local organisations looking at various projects - one being bringing Pembroke into the 21st century - by looking at wifi throughout the town which will be a useful convenience to locals and visitors. They will be able to access the internet to follow the town trail and find attractions within the town and surrounding area. We are in the process of releasing a new town website which I recommend everyone look at and we look forward to hearing your comments.

"I feel that as a town council our role is changing and we are now starting to take more responsibility for projects within Pembroke and are working in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council. I think that this can only be good for Pembroke and we can continue to improve our town."

Serving Clr. Nicholas during his year as First Citizen will be Rev. Canon Roger Jones as Mayor's chaplain, Clr. Carey as deputy mayor and I know Aaron and Natalie will work hard in promoting the town along with Karen and myself.