OKEHAMPTON Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey has been elected for a second term in the post and wished to thank the people of Okehampton for helping her throughout a ’tsunami’ of a mayoral year.

Cllr Goffey received the chain of office for a second year at a civic mayor choosing ceremony in the town hall yesterday.

Cllr Michael Ireland remains her deputy mayor for a second year.

Cllr Goffey said: ’Some mayoral years are like a duckpond, the water is smooth and calm and the year progresses with never a hitch nor a blip to mar the smooth course of time from May to May. However, my year has been somewhat akin to a tsunami!’

In her speech she referred to battles and triumphs of the civic year, which included the fight for Okehampton’s hospital beds and the good news of a trial daily rail service.

Cllr Goffey said: ’We face both old and new challenges this coming year and as more and more gets devolved onto the town with fewer and fewer resources, we need to work together as a community to be strong and resilient.

’Okehampton is a hub for this large rural area and we need the infrastructure and the services to help not only this town but all the little villages and hamlets around us to ensure their survival and ours.

’That is the challenge for this coming year and I know it will be difficult and I know too many of these challenges have been faced by my predecessors. We may not have the power but we do have the will and determination as a council to carry on battling the powers above us and eventually we will succeed.’

Richard Proctor and Alison Duckers were among the community figures presented with Okehampton Mayor Awards for their outstanding contribution to the town.

Richard was commended for his dedication and sustained work on the Sunday Rover and for OkeRail, while Pioneer Minister Alison was recognised for her commitment and work towards the Okehampton and Hamlets Local Neighbourhood Plan.

Steve Bolt and Karen Penna were praised for their work for the Okehampton Carnival.

Jackie and Kirsty Reynolds also received a Mayor’s Award for the Christmas Dinner event they organised each year for the solitary and elderly on their own on Christmas Day.

The Mayor also awarded Cadet Corporal Hayleigh Shaw and Cadet Charlie Thompson. She lastly gave the Consort’s Medallion to Lyn Evans, who she thanked for always being a great support.