Via http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Ceremony-welcomes-new-Hayle-mayor-rewards/st...

Ceremony welcomes new Hayle mayor and rewards citizens of the year

By CMChloe | Posted: May 13, 2014

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  New Hayle mayor Graham Coad (right) was officially welcomed alongside new deputy mayor Nick Farrar at a ceremony last week.

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  Hayle's Citizens of the Year winners received their awards.

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A ceremony was held in Hayle last week to officially welcome the new mayor and reward the town’s citizens of the year.

Councillor Graham Coad, who previously served as deputy mayor, stepped into the new position on May 8 and Nick Farrar was chosen as the new deputy mayor.

Mr Coad, a former Penpol School pupil, has been on Hayle Town Council since 2007 becoming chairman of the Amenities Committee and then deputy mayor in 2012.

In his new role, the retired Devon and Cornwall Police officer hopes to inspire more people to get involved with local politics.

He said: “I would love to see more people taking an interest in local politics as it directly affects the future of our town. Hayle Town Council meetings are open to the public and usually start with a public participation session. We will soon be inviting Hayle people to help us create a Hayle Neighbourhood Plan to have a say in influencing planning and development of Hayle forward to 2030.

“As mayor, and a politically independent town councillor, I hope to help keep Hayle Town Council working together for the good of our town and area, and maintain good links with our neighbouring communities.”

Winners of the annual mayor’s Citizen of the Year awards were also announced on the evening.

Margaret Bray, one of the longest serving lollipop ladies in the county who has worked at Penpol School for more than 30 years, was awarded the female Citizen of the Year award. Mrs Bray, who appeared on The Paul O’Grady Show last year, supports a number of organisations and has been involved with the Scouts for 25 years.

Roger Smitheram, an Olympic Torch bearer in 2012, received the male Citizen of the Year award for his charitable work. Mr Smitheram, a founding member of Hayle Runners, has completed several marathons, raising money for local causes.

He said: “I didn’t expect to win it for everyday things we should all be doing. We should be helping our neighbours, but I am greatly honoured.”

Organisation of the year was presented to Friends of Hayle Outdoor Swimming pool which was accepted by Richard Hammond.

The Friends group was formed to help support the pool after funding was withdrawn by Cornwall Council. The entire group has worked hard maintaining and improving the pool and raising funds to keep the well-loved feature going.

Youth organisation of the year was given to Hayle Youth Project which was received by trustee June Allen.

The project, led by Jacqueline Hart and Heidi Row, provides holistic, rapid education and care to support local people at risk or hard to reach due to being in a minority, social deprivation or exclusion.

Read more at http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Ceremony-welcomes-new-Hayle-mayor-rewards/story-21088850-detail/story.html#oFwgfloCkaAxwOYY.99