THE new Mayor of St Ives, Councillor Doug Dew, was presented with his chain of office at a traditional ceremony at the town s Free Church. Alongside his wife Julie, who is also a town councillor and fellow Tory, Cllr Dew, who represents south ward, recei

THE new Mayor of St Ives, Councillor Doug Dew, was presented with his chain of office at a traditional ceremony at the town's Free Church.

Alongside his wife Julie, who is also a town councillor and fellow Tory, Cllr Dew, who represents south ward, received the chain from acting town clerk Ted Bocking.

The new Mayor, an insurance broker from Hemingford Grey, is hoping for a busy year in the position for a second time.

Now in his tenth year as a town councillor, Cllr Dew said: "There are plenty of exciting projects in St Ives which I am looking forward to overseeing. The Corn Exchange regeneration programme is set to get underway with a project manager appointed. Although the build will take more than a year, the launch will be within the next few months.

"The Waits project is well on the way to completion this summer and then there is the big issue of the guided bus which is likely to move forward over the next 12 months, subject to Government funding.

"The challenge from our point of view is working with other local governing bodies to ensure the best possible outcome for St Ives, despite the fact that very few

of us support it."

As for the social side of his mayoral duties, Cllr Dew and his wife enjoy meeting the town's residents and visitors and are planning to host a range of events later this year.

"It's a tremendous job as Mayor and people always seem to be pleased to see you. This year we will be supporting the Huntingdonshire branch of the Parkinson Society, to help fund an outreach worker in the district. Currently there is only a support worker in Cambridge, but we hope to raise enough money for one dedicated to Hunts.

"We will also operate a community chest for the town's good causes to benefit.