New Mayor welcomed

The mayoral chains have been handed over to Cllr Linda Silver who becomes Hertsmere's Mayor for the year.

Cllr Rosemary Gilligan handing over the mayoral chains to Cllr Linda Silver

Cllr Silver takes over the role from Cllr Rosemary Gilligan and was inaugurated at the annual council meeting last night, Monday 17 May.

The new deputy Mayor was also welcomed - Cllr Peter Knell.

Cllr Gilligan raised more than £7,000 during her term of office for her two chosen charities - RADAR and Action for ME. During this time she attended open days and special celebrations, presented awards and judged competitions. Most recently Cllr Gilligan held a civic celebration to honour and thank local people for their contribution to their community.

Cllr Gilligan said: "I have had a wonderful year and been kept very busy. I have had the opportunity to attend many events and meet so many people - it has been a real honour for me. My highlights of the year have included welcoming three members of royalty to the borough - the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Anne - and meeting all the volunteers who give up their time for the benefit of others, they really are a great credit to the community.

"Thank you to all those who have supported me over the last year, raised money for my charities and all in all made it so memorable. And a special thank you to all the local businesses which supported the civic dinner."

Cllr Gilligan followed in her father's footsteps - Tim Gilligan was a Hertsmere Mayor from May 1990 to May 1991.

Cllr Silver, who represents Bushey Park ward, has been a councillor for Hertsmere since 2008 and was previously a Hertsmere councillor from 1974 to 1986. She is married to Geoffrey and together they have five children between them and eight grandchildren. She said: "I have already enjoyed a very busy year as deputy Mayor so I have had a small taste of the varied year ahead of me and I am very much looking forward to it."

Cllr Silver will be raising money for two charities: Help for Heroes, in memory of her late father who was a Colonel in the Royal Engineers and JAMI, Jewish Mental Health. Her chaplin will be a shared position between Rabbi Meyer Salaznick and Rabbi Johny Spector from the Bushey United Synagogue.

Deputy Mayor Peter Knell, of Potters Bar Furzefield ward, has also been a councillor since 2008 and he will be supported at events by his wife June.

If you would like the Mayor to attend one of your events, please contact the Mayor's secretary, Belinda Troy, on 020 8207 7477.