THE new Mayor of Taunton has said she was “honoured and privileged” to be elected at a ceremony held at the Minster.
Councillor Vanessa Garside, elected after being proposed by the former Mayor, Councillor Nick O’Donnell, said it is “a big responsibility to represent all the people of Taunton”, but also “a massive pleasure”.
She will be Mayor of Taunton for 2024/2025, while Councillor Martin Straus will be the deputy mayor.
Speaking at the Mayor making ceremony held at Taunton Minster on Wednesday evening (May 14), she said: “I’m happy to see so many familiar faces.
“I am honoured and privileged to be chosen as Mayor of Taunton. Thank you to Taunton Town Council for choosing me and electing me.
“I know it is a big responsibility to represent all the people of Taunton, but also a massive pleasure.
“I have lived here for many years so I know enough to talk about the potential and cultural identity of the town.
“Taunton has a creative approach to welcoming people. Residents are very proud of Somerset, and there is so much to be proud about.
“There’s a fantastic cultural scene and history.
“We live in a post-austerity, post-Brexit, post-Covid world. Unity, inclusion, and creativity are all important.
“I am very grateful I have chosen to make Taunton my home and the centre of my world.
“I will do my very upmost to promote this lovely town and lovely citizens to attract visitors and investments.”
Councillor Nick O’Donnell, who was Mayor for 2023/24, also spoke at the ceremony.
When he became Mayor, he said he wanted to be the voice of every single Taunton resident.
When proposing Cllr Garside as the new Mayor he said she did “sterling work as deputy mayor and stepped in whenever I was not available”.
He said: “Everybody I met has been equally important to me. It was the proudest year of my life because I had the opportunity to serve you. Thank you ever so much.”
The ceremony also included music from Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir and Voce Chamber Choir Taunton as well as a cheque presentation for the Charis charity.
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