THE new mayor of Wokingham Town Council was sworn in last week during a special ceremony at the town hall.

Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, who had served as the town’s deputy mayor under Philip Mirfin for the past year, was appointed to her new role on Tuesday.

“I couldn’t be happier to be mayor,” she said. “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve got lots of friends and know the charities in the town and I hope we can all work together to enhance the community.

“My theme for the year is appreciation. I chose it because I think there’s going to be so much going on, not all of it positive, and we need to get back to basics and start recognising there are some great things around.

“It’s nice to have traditions like this but I hope we are aware enough to keep modernising it and keep the public interested because that’s what it’s all about.”

Her mayor’s charity of the year will be Soulscape, a charity designed to improve mental wellbeing in young people. Cllr Hewetson said she wanted to help Soulscape with a new project for the town.

Her first mayoral commitment was the Scouts AGM on Thursday, May 19.

Cllr Julian Mcghee-Sumner was appointed the deputy mayor.