Said to have Tenby ‘running through her veins’ like a stick of seaside rock, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane became the town’s first citizen for an eighth time at the official Mayor Making ceremony on Friday.

Clr. Mrs. Lane, also the chairman of ‘Tenby in Bloom’ was officially sworn in as the town’s 628th Mayor at the occasion which was held at the town’s De Valence Pavilion.

In formally proposing her at the ceremony held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, who once stood as Clr. Mrs. Lane’s Deputy Mayor said that her colleague had Tenby “running through her veins...a bit like Tenby rock!”

“She shows enthusiasm in everything she does, and on her many, many travels she is a great ambassador for Tenby,” she added.

Clr. Mike Evans said he was honoured to second Clr. Mrs. Lane for the position, stating that they both had a ‘joint passion’ for Tenby’s floral credentials, before wishing her all the ‘luck, success and good weather!’ for the year ahead.

Clr. Mrs. Lane’s first job was to elect her Deputy Mayor, proposing Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown.

“She is someone you want on your side - hardworking and committed, and the fighting force behind the Jubilee Play Park transition. Without Clr. Mrs. Brown the De Valence Pavilion wouldn’t be open!” she said.

Outgoing mayor Laurence Blackhall presented three councillors - Clr. Trevor Hallett, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas and Clr. Mrs. Lane herself, with certificates recognising their achievement of over 30 years of service on the town council.

Clr. Hallett gave a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, who he said it had been a ‘pleasure’ to serve under, whilst Clr. Paul Rapi seconded the thanks and wished Clr. Blackhall well on his next ‘adventure’ when he ties the knot in the summer.

Clr. Blackhall said that the newly installed Mayor and her Deputy would be an ‘unbelievable’ team together, before thanking his Mayoress and wife to be Samantha Skyrme, along with all the organisations and the people of Tenby for their ‘incredible’ support throughout his term.

“I started the year knowing I loved Tenby, and end it loving it even more!” he remarked.

Reappointed as Sergeant at Arms was John Morgan, who was also celebrating a milestone on the town council with it being his 20th anniversary.

Denise Cousins became the first female to fill the role of Sergeant at Mace in Tenby, while Jim Cornwell was appointed town crier, and Father Michael Fewell as Mayor’s Chaplain.

Clr. Mrs. Lane’s granddaughter Ms Charley Reohorn will be her Mayoress for the year.

The ceremony was followed by a civic reception in the main hall of the De valance, where the Mayor was joined by her party and guests.

Following the loyal toast proposed by the Town Crier, Clr. Mike Evans gave the toast to the Mayor and the town of Tenby.

“She has unbounded energy that she brings to the role of Mayor,” he commented.

“Sue was appointed to the town council by a great ambassador for the town Denzil Griffiths - a man that was Tenby through and through, who would talk about the town wherever he went, and Sue has a similar effect when she travels the world.

“She brings credit to Tenby and explains to people why we have such a special place.

“Indeed you could travel the world all over and never find a more beautiful town. Augustus John said to embrace the town you live in and the people of the town, which has been built on characters over the years and there are plenty more coming through.

“Under the last five years as a town council I’ve been so impressed with what we’ve achieved, and look forward to working hard and achieving even more over the next few years,” he added.

Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Lane, who was the youngest woman ever to be elected as a Tenby councillor, thanked everyone for attending, and said it was a great honour to fill the role of Mayor once again.

“In 1987 myself and other females on the town council - such as Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas and Clr. Maureen Ward, became known as ‘Denzil’s Dollies’ - well we don’t resemble ‘dolls’ any more but are still working hard for the community!” she joked.

“It’s always been a great honour to represent Tenby and we pride ourselves here on being the best in Pembrokeshire,” added Clr. Mrs. Lane.

Pics. Gareth Davies Photography