New mayor calls for fresh recruits

12:44pm Saturday 17th May 2008

WALLINGFORD'S new mayor, Alec Hayton, has called on younger people to volunteer to help run more of the town's events.

At the mayor-making ceremony, when he took office, he said: "All too often it is the same people organising the events.

"They have been doing it for years and some of them are now getting on a bit.

"We need younger people to join the service organisations, to take an active part in organising and running the town's many events. There is room for everyone."

And he pledged that he would do his bit in trying to get the redevelopment of part of Wallingford moving again.

He said: "I hope we can begin to galvanise some action for the redevelopment of the former Waitrose site in St Martin's Street."

South Oxfordshire District Council is drawing up a development plan for the area, which should go to the Cabinet in September.

Mr Hayton, a former military policeman, is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiast. He heads the local Riders' branch of the Royal British Legion, which has raised thousands of pounds for the charity.

This is his second term as mayor - he held the office in 1999.

His wife, retired teacher Pat, becomes mayoress.

Mr Hayton chose fellow councillor Dee Cripps as deputy mayor, who, in turn, has chosen colleague Mrs Rosslyn Lester as her consort for the year.

Mr Hayton said the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance, which is now based at RAF Benson, will be his charity for the year.

And the mayor's chaplain is the Rector of Wallingford, the Rev David Rice.